Styling Librarian: What are you reading? 5/7/12 Science Fiction and Banned Books
Here’s the inspiration behind this post:
http://www.teachmentortexts.com/
Thanks to Jen and Kellee for the inspiration!
Limiting myself to three books this week, there are loads of other books I’ve enjoyed, just thought I’d try out limiting.
This week I’ve read a few science fiction book treasures:
The book was most memorable for me this week was:
Eye of the Storm by Kate Messner
What a scary possible future we have on this earth! It felt a little too realistic at times. Excellent book instead of handing students Hunger Games or another very mature book… this one I feel could fit for 4th-7th graders. I would also partner/book share this book with Roland Smith’s Storm Runners Series. Can’t wait to share with my students!
Here’s a good review of Eye of the Storm-
http://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/eye-of-the-storm-by-kate-messner/
Insurgent by Veronica Roth
This book caught me up for days as I didn’t have consistent time to dedicate to reading (late nights running book fair).
Really enjoyed this sequel for the enchantment of the story that threw me into that futuristic, scary society but now the waiting begins as this is the 2nd of 3 books. Can’t wait!
The Dirty Cowboy by Amy Timberlake, illustrated by Adam Rex
My son and I loved reading this book. So humorous and the illustrations are fabulous. I always love reading those challenged (and banned) books. I was talking with my students about how when I hear about a book being banned, my first instinct is to log into my public library account and place the book on hold so that I can judge it for myself vs. letting others try to determine my reading selections. We’re enjoying exploration of banned and challenged books presently in library class time. We’re also talking about rights and responsibilities of being library citizens. Told my students about The Dirty Cowboy and they begged me to bring it in and also buy it for the library. Shall do both! — Goodness, I must admit, I’m thinking about Maurice Sendak quite a bit with his passing. I did put together a blog post celebrating Maurice Sendak and Where the Wild Things Are but I’ve been thinking more and more about the book In the Night Kitchen and how it could be the next to be yanked off the shelf after getting approval for The Dirty Cowboy to be banned. It is never ending and I admire all the teacher librarians that stand up for children’s rights to access books that appropriately fit their needs and accommodate their interests!
Here is a wonderful article about the controversy that Amy Timberlake has dealt with through her book being challenged and banned:
http://www.amytimberlake.com/blog/2012/4/17/why-i-love-librarians-the-dirty-cowboy-banned.html
Ok, I admit it, I’m sneaking in one more:
I enjoyed rereading this book The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger, this time by audiobook! What a fun presentation of a story. My son and I were captured and discussing different elements of the book throughout. It is interesting to listen to my son’s 6 year old philosophy on magic. Really enjoy it!
Now we’re listening to Half Magic by Edward Eager: I love the magical concepts and math connections that are popping up… it has been a LONG time since I read this book.
New blog posts are coming soon, especially about life in preparation of moving to Hong Kong to be a Teacher Librarian there!
Want more book ideas and reviews? – Yes, I’m quite brief, but a prolific reader! Please visit me at Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1941055-the-styling-librarian
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