AASL Responds to District Administration Editorial May 11, 2007
Posted by cphillip in : Community , trackbackAn editorial regarding the “Higher Power of Lucky” appeared in the “District Administration” April 2007 issue. The article is online:
http://www.districtadministration.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=1127
Once it was brought to the attention of the AASL the following letter was composed and sent to the editor.
May 10, 2007
Gary Stager
Senior Editor
District Administration
488 Main Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06851
Mr. Stager:
Thank you for the strong stance you have taken in favor of intellectual freedom in your recent editorial, “Good Books and Bad Reactions,” published in the April 2007 issue of District Administration. However, your characterization of school librarians’ reactions to this book is a bit misleading. The author’s use of the word scrotum did not prevent the “Higher Power of Lucky,” by Susan Patron from being added to school library collections. The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), which administers the Newbery Medal, and the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) have yet to be notified of a single library that decided not to place the book in their collection because of the use of the word scrotum.
In fact, one of the most vocal critics of the book, who was quoted in the New York Times and various other media reports, had already bought the book for her library. An AP reporter following up on the leads from the New York Times article found that none of the librarians who they quoted had actually banned the book. They were merely discussing appropriate grade level, how to best bring it to the attention of the teachers with whom they worked, and whether fourth grade teachers would be likely to use it as a classroom read-aloud. This is the typical sort of discussion school librarians regularly have with their peers on professional discussion lists, and it was obviously misinterpreted by outsiders “listening in” on their discussion.
You may be interested in a follow-up article by the AP titled “Librarians Debate Award-Winning Novel” (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/02/22/entertainment/e113211S26.DTL ), which demonstrates that, contrary to the reports in the initial New York Times article, banning of this book is not widespread in school libraries.
Libraries are about inclusion rather than exclusion. The freedom to read, speak, think and express ourselves is core to our American values. Part of living in a democracy means respecting each other’s differences and the right of all people to choose for themselves what they and their families read. The latest statistics from ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom offer a powerful testament as to how often school librarians rise to protect this freedom. In 2006 alone, school library media specialists sought ALA’s assistance in responding to 137 attempts to remove materials from school libraries.
Fortunately, librarians understand that children mature at different rates and have different interests, reading abilities and life experiences. Decisions about what materials are suitable for particular children should ultimately be made by the people who know them best - their parents or guardians.
The “Higher Power of Lucky” is a perfectly nuanced blend of adventure and survival, both emotional and physical. It is a gently humorous character study, as well as a blueprint for a self-examined life. The book serves as a reminder that children support one another just as adults do. We agree with you that children and their families should be given the opportunity to read this book and develop their opinions, and we hope you’ll print this letter, or a follow-up editorial, in District Administration. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kathleen T. Horning Cyndi Phillip
President President
Association for Library Service to Children, American Association of School Librarians,
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Posted by Cyndi Phillip, AASL President
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