Comments on: Open question: Self-censorship in the classroom

By: Clix

Clix — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:16:44 +0000

If there are any books I’m concerned about, I go and see if they’re available in the school library. (This would be before purchasing a copy for my class library. *g*) If it’s not listed in the catalog, I talk to the librarian about it. Students can check books out of the school library without parents looking over their shoulder, so I don’t see any problem with having those books in my classroom library as well – though only if I think the book is REALLY REALLY good. (If not, there’s no need to be redundant!)

If I think Imonna get m’self in trouble, I check the book out from the PUBLIC library and booktalk it to the class. I let them know about the issues in it that prevent me from making it more directly available to them. This often serves to get them MORE interested in that book. >;) And in addition, anything I can do to promote the public library is a bonus!

By: Mr. B

Mr. B — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:17:54 +0000

That’s a great strategy – I like how it keeps parents in the loop without limiting student choice too much. Do you require it with all of the books in your classroom library? I would think that it might get a bit tedious to do that for books that have no questionable content rather than just for the books that need the sort of disclaimer – say, like a rating system with a certain threshold (Mature?) that requires a parental notification.

Thanks for the recommendations as well: I’ve read “Ender’s Game” (and I have two of the books in the parallel Shadow series in my classroom library – I need to get the other two) and the two Stephen King books you mentioned (he’s represented in my library, too), so I’ll see if I can get a hold of that.

By: urbanmoose

urbanmoose — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 21:51:09 +0000

As a fellow English teacher, I feel your pain. It is incredibly hard to stock one’s classroom library without having some kind of questionable material in it.
I’ve discovered a way, however, to allow questionable books to reside on my shelves. It takes time, but is well worth it and still gives the students free choice.
For each book I’ve placed out, I typed up a brief plot summary (as to not give anything away – like a “book talk”). After that, I’ve listed exactly what “questionable material” may be in the book – things that parents don’t want to be surprised with. I ask students to find a book they are particularly interested in, and then send them home with the summary and the warnings. It works as a note to each parent, and each sheet encourages parents to read the book or contact me if there are further concerns. Each sheet must be signed before you will check out your copy of the book to them (if they find it in the library, it is no longer your responsibility). This keeps your butt covered, parents happy, and gives students more freedom in your classroom to read what they’re truly interested in.
A few other books I might recommend for your shelves: “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien, “The Book Thief” by Marcus Zusak, “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card, “Cat’s Cradle” by Vonnegut, “Firestarter” by Stephen King, “You Don’t Know Me” by David Klass, “Sabriel” “Lirael” and “Abhorsen” – A trilogy by Garth Nix, and “The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon” by Stephen King. These are some of the most popular books in my classroom.