From: trumpins@alexia.lis.uiuc.edu (Barbara Trumpinski)
Subject: Re: SF + PC
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Fri, 1 Jan 1993 17:28:13 GMT

In <1993Jan01.070822.18627@lunatix.uucp> lmollett@lunatix.uucp (Laura Mollett) writes:

>>
>Again, I agree with this.  I'm _very_ confused about the "offering guidance"
>concepts in regard to reading.  As a matter of fact, I have an (only slightly)
>off-topic question for RAB readers.  I have 3 children.  The older 2 are both
>readers (IMO, the best way to have children who read, is to read yourself), and
[   ]
>for herself.  She told me she was limited to "Easy" books (as is all the
>second grade) and these were "Junior's".  (They did this to me when I was
>in elementary school as well, but I had forgotten until it came up again with
>her).  Soooooo, I wrote the librarian a note, and asked that she be allowed
>to check out the books (and mentioned the "Easy" books were not challenging to
>her anyway) and this privilege was immediately granted.  (OK, don't ask, we
>live in KY...the backwater of the world <grin>).  Problem solved, yes?  

>No.  Sometime later I get a note from the librarian that says, in part:
>	Of course, Amanda may choose more challenging reading material.
>	I will be delighted to help her select something more substantial. 
>	However, I really feel that there are more appropriate choices for
>	Amanda's maturity level than _The Babysitter's Club_.  I hope when
>	she finishes the series she will embrace the multitude of excellent
>	literature we have at Ashland.  I will be glad to provide you with
>	a list of books if you so desire.

>Hmm...Problem Number 1)  I have always assumed that if a book was "too old"
>	for one of my children, they would become bored with it (whatever they
>	don't understand goes right over their heads).  Amanda has now read
>	6 or 7 of these books (including immediately devouring her own and
>	Jason's Christmas gifts of two of them).  If they were too mature
>	would she still be reading them?

maybe....but they won't hurt her (i haven't read them either....but
series have always had an attraction....) let her read them...

>2)  Is there any reason at all why I should choose her "for fun" reading for
>	her from a list.  What's wrong with what she chooses for herself?

she should still be allowed to choose her own reading...but definitely
get the school librarian to send you the list...this will tell you
about the librarian and the school...and answer your "donation" question...

>3)  How in the world do I respond tactfully to this woman's letter, and at
>	the same time tell her I think Amanda should choose her own reading
>	material - even if she _is_ an elementary school librarian?
>(As an aside, we noticed the library had very few books...basically less than
>we have at home, and very, very few were the science fiction/fantasy I loved
>as a child...we were tempted to donate a whole series of things.)

just tell her that you are delighted that she is interested and that
you are delighted that amanda reads...you are experimenting to see
what amanda's tastes are...so you want her to make her own
selections...and you appreciate the librarian letting amanda have the
wider selection offered by permitting her to choose books from the jr.
collection.. 

>4)  How seriously should I take this persons list, anyway (and opinions on
>	what my child should read)...and her opinions on my child's 
>	"maturity level"?

seeing this list will give you an idea of whether the school will be
receptive to a donation of books...or you could ASK the
librarian...she might be stuck with a school board or school
administration who won't ALLOW her to choose decent books (the most
shameful thing i have ever done is to tell an 8th grade girl i
couldn't get a judy blume book for her because it wasn't
available...when, in fact, it was because her father was the principle
of the school....





>Any suggestions?
>			Laura Mollett


here are my suggestions....

barbara trumpinski
--
***************************************************************************
conan the librarian a.k.a. kitten           /\ /\  barbara ann 
"my life's a soap opera, isn't yours?"      {=.=}
                                              ~   trumpins@alexia.lis.uiuc.edu 
"love is the wild card of existance"
                          rita mae brown