Why wait until Banned Books Week starts next week to start celebrating the madness. This time we go to Murphy, Oregon where things got a little heated at the Three Rivers School Board meeting. At issue: Persepolis, an autobiographical graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi about her experiences growing up during the Iranian revolution. The 'problem': the book contains some questionable language and depicts scenes of torture and some parents want to be able to sign off and give their approval before their kids can enjoy it. Apparently, one school board member (a librarian) was a little zealous in defending the...
The Most Challenged Books in our Schools and Libraries for 2013
At first glance you might think it was a list of some of the better selling books but these are the top 10 most frequently challenged books at American libraries and schools for 2013. The list is compiled by the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom and from the over 300 challenges across the country in 2013 these are the top 10. 1. Captain Underpants (series) by Dave Pilkey Reasons: Offensive language, unsuited for age group, violence 2. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, violence 3. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian...
Maira Kalman takes on the library at PS 47
In 2009, Maria Kalman transformed the library of PS 47 with an alphabet installation for the Robin Hood Foundation.In this video shot by her son Alex, Kalman talks of the project, schools as "temples of information and hope" and of the importance of reading and libraries.