Why is it important to have a challenged book procedure in place before a challenge happens?

A lot of times parents are not aware of the procedures and selection policy used. You should have a copy of the latest edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual available. Make sure that you are aware of books that are banned and challenged.  Also have some information and reviews on the book ready for parents. This will let the parent know that you are professional and knowledgeable of your book selection.

Importance of student's reading about cultural diversity

According to Young Adult Literature in Actions, A Librarian's Guide, Literature of a variety of cultures offers young adults three opportunities. The first is that reading about other cultures helps them to obtain a broader view of the world. Second, prejudice and misunderstanding of other cultures will be easier to interrupt. Third, the minority of other cultures will be able to view themselves in a positive way. Books about cultural diversity can help aid in the understanding of different cultures for young adults and help people of different ethnicity to feel pride in their culture.

Why children are so attracted to reading fantasy

According the Children's Literature in Action, A Librarian's Guide, fantasy includes books in which something make believe or impossible happens. Children enjoy fantasy because it gives them the opportunity to explore their imagination. The events in fantasy novels are things that can not happen in real life. The impossibilities is a major part of their appeal to reading. Fantasy novels give children a chance to step out of the real world and live in a fantasy world through their reading.

Importance for evaluating historical fiction and information books

When evaluating historical fiction books the key is authenticity. The time period must be researched and everything must fit into the time frame. The characters, values, and language are important elements when reading historical fiction. The text should draw readers in with out overwhelming them. In other words, good historical fiction has a balance between information and fiction. Books must also include basic elements such as plot, characterization, setting, theme, and style. In a lot of historical fiction you will find that author's try to draw children in by making connections with them and the characters. Through the connections made, students are able to see how people like themselves lived in historical times.  As the media specialist, we should ensure that our collection is high quality and will spark the interest of diverse readers. One way to do this is through reviews and editorials and books.

When evaluating criteria for information books the basic elements do not apply. The most important element for information books is accuracy. Hence the title INFORMATION. It would not be an information book if is was not accurate. Since it would be impossible to know everything about every single book to ensure accuracy you should always check reviews for the book. You can also check experts in the field and check the authors credentials and reputation. Also, make sure that your collection stays up to date. Many topics will change as years go by and you should always try to ensure that you have to latest and most accurate information on your shelves.

Using historical fiction and information books for teaching Social Studies

Historical novels can supplement the history or social studies curriculum with human stories that bring events to life.  They can help develop an appreciation of our historical heritage and provide the reader with a vicarious experience of the past through lieterature, according to Children’s Literature in Action: A Librarian’s Guide.  Historical fiction books are information books.  Some different ways to introduce historical fiction , according to Children’s Literature in Action: A Librarian’s Guide is through drama activities, guest speakers,  museum resources, traveling exhibits, and through web resources.  Teachers can choose historical fiction books for read alouds or booktalks to help spark an interest in students.

Challenged Books

I found the article about the book, And Tango Makes Three very interesting. Although I have never read the book, I can understand why it is considered the number one challenged book. I don't believe it is a book for lower elementary students. I think it is a book that should be monitored by the media specialist. Homosexuality is not something that a normal k-3 grade student should know about. I do believe it would be okay for older students. Now thinking as a parent I believe we should be familiar with things our children read. This is definitely a book that may need some discussion. Overall I feel that these challenged books are not doing any harm. They are part of real life. Students see, hear, and even do worse in real life. Challenged books can give students something to relate to or even help them decide to make better decision. With this being said check out our new list:
1. "And Tango Makes Three" by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
Reasons: Homosexuality, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group
2. "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie
Reasons: Offensive language, Racism, Sex Education, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group, Violence
3. "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley
Reasons: Insensitivity, Offensive Language, Racism, Sexually Explicit
4. "Crank" by Ellen Hopkins
Reasons: Drugs, Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit
5. "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group, Violence
6. "Lush" by Natasha Friend
Reasons: Drugs, Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group
7. "What My Mother Doesn’t Know" by Sonya Sones
Reasons: Sexism, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group
8. "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By In America" by Barbara Ehrenreich
Reasons: Drugs, Inaccurate, Offensive Language, Political Viewpoint, Religious Viewpoint
9. "Revolutionary Voices" edited by Amy Sonnie
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit
10. "Twilight" by  Stephenie Meyer
Reasons: Religious Viewpoint, Violence

Using picture books for teaching young adults

According to the book, Young Adult Literature in Action: A Librirain's Guide, pictue books are likely to increase in popularity through llustrated stories. They are considered to be closely related to graphic novels. Picture books can be used in young adult literature when teacherse discuss careers in art and the use of various media and techniques. In parenting classes they can be incorparted throug read alouds for young childern. They can also be used to introduce literary elements. They are a good resource for helping with ESL teens. They may also be read just for enjoyment and pleasure.

Controversial books and what makes them so...

Controversial books are ones that some feel are unsuitable for young adults. These are books that may contain family issues, such as divorce or separation. They may also contain issues concerning sexuality, violence, and profanity.
If books are challenged, librarians should be aware of the four stages in handling challenged books. First, be informed. Make sure to have a copy of the intellectual freedom manual on hand. Second, be prepared. You should ensure that you have a selection policy manual for your library. Third, you must understand the levels of complaints and challenges. A casual inquiry is when a parent may approach you concerning a book that is disturbing. A complaint is when a parent makes an appointment with your principal. At this point a reconsideration form may be filled out if you can not come to a resolution. A formal challenge would be the last step. If the reconsideration form is filled out and given to your superintendent, he or she will then form a committee. This committee will not include the principle or librarian. The committee will come together to make a decision about the book. Finally, you should inform students, teachers, administrators, and parent about the intellectual freedom and what it means.

The First Part Last

This is an AMAZING book! I loved it and would recommend it to students. It is a controversial book but with young adults I think it is fine. These are situations that young adults can relate to in some way and hopefully help some of them to make wise decisions. It really shows the hardships of being a teen parent. I loved that it was about a young father raising his baby girl. It really made me sad when I found out Nia, the mom was in a vegetative state.

Articles on Young Adults

My first article focuses on teen friendships in regards to peer influence and peer pressure.  It states that friendships during adolescence become more complex, exclusive, and consistent. Different types of relationships began to emerge. There are new types of friendships such as opposite sex and romantic relationships and different levels of relationships such as “cliques”. Peer influence and peer pressure can be positive or negative. Although peer influence and peer pressure when negative may lead to unhealthy and unsafe choice by teens. Some strategies to help with teens are:

1. Nurture teens’ abilities and self-esteem so that they are equipped to foster positive peer relationships and deflect negative pressures.
2. Encourage positive relationships between significant adults and teens.
3. Encourage diverse relationships.
4. Support parent education programs for families with teenagers.
5. Equip youth with the skills necessary to resist negative behaviors, as well as to make good decisions.
6. Teaching youth exit strategies or ways to say ‘no’ to negative pressures.

In conclusion, peers play a large role in one another’s life during adolescence. They offer many positive opportunities, along with negative ones. Peer relationships are important to help young adults develop into healthy adults.

The second article I chose is called, “A Chapter a Day”. It is an e-resource used to help motivate young adults to read. Teens sign up for the book club then via e-mail they receive pages from popular fiction and non fiction books each day of the week. By the end of the week they have received two to three brief chapters. Each week the process starts over. Chapter a day works with over forty different publishers, including Penguin Putnam, McGraw Hill, and Random House.

Requirements for Healthy Development of Adolescent Youth

I enjoyed reading this article. It seems to be very true in qualites and characteristic of a young adult. This article was about a study done in 1973 by Gisela Konopka and the Center for Youth Development and

Research at the University of Minnesota.  They defined adolescenc as a span of a young person's life between the obvious onset of puberty and the completion of bone growth beginning at twelve and ending at twenty-two. They believe that  adolescents are people with certain qualities and characteristics who have certain roles to play, tasks to perform, and skills to develop.  Some qualities that adolescents have are audacity, insecurity, loneliness, vulnerability, mood swings, and the need for peer groups. Adolescents need the chance to participate as citizens, as members of a household, as workers, and as responsible members of society. They should gain experience in decision making, interact with peers and acquire a sense of belonging. They should reflect on self and discover self by looking outward and inward.

• Who are Young Adults? Young Adult Reading Preferences Based On Interviews

After reading our text, Young Adult Literature in Action: A Librarian's Guide I learned that young adults are defined by YALSA and ALA as youth aged 12 through 18.

I surveyed five young adults, 3 boys and 2 girls between the ages of 12 and 18. I found out that boys and girls have very different preferences. I found that the girls prefer novels where as the boys prefer informational books. I have concluded that not always but overall girls read more for pleasure and boys read more for information.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

This novel is a combination of a picture book, a graphic novel, a flip book, and a movie. It is a 500 plus book that has told by picture and text. I did not want to put it down. The book was so interesting. I think it is a great book for intermediate and young adult readers. It would also be a great read for reluctant readers. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to read.