Challenged books

It is important to have a policy on challenged books in place when you are creating your policies and procedures manual.  This policy should be put together by a committee and agreed upon by the parties involved.  It should also be approved by the principal and the superintendent.  This is important because you need to know what to do if a book in your library is actually challenged.  You want to be able to handle the situation professionally and in a way that respects the challenger.  The less amount of stress you add to the situation the better.  If you have a policy in place it is easy to retrieve the policy and show it to the challenger.  It is also nice because it will give you the steps you need to follow.  You won't have to stutter and stammer to the challenger.  You will be confident when you tell them about your policy and how the matter will be handled.  Then you put the choice to continue the challenge back in their court off of you.  Even if they continue to challenge the book your policy will guide you in the forms to file and the people to contact.  This saves a lot of time and frustration if it is accomplished early on before a problem arises. 

Why fantasy?

Children and youth are extremely interested in reading fantasy.  When reading fantasy, imagination rules, not only in the plot, but the characters and settings also.  Readers can take bold leaps into the strange, bizarre, and otherworldly.  They can escape to places as wild as the author can convey.  Fantasy covers three genres: fantasy, horror, and science fiction.  Just thinking about the popularity of the vampire movies, the hobbit, the wizard, and the myriad of horror movies based on books which are out today answers a lot about the choices of young readers.  Being able to escape into the imagination is inviting for children, youth, and even adults.  It is fun!

Cultural Diversity

Why is it important for students to read about cultural diversity?  Students need to be aware of the variety of cultures and religions and to become more understanding and appreciative of those unique qualities.  It helps them understand the world in which they live.  There is so much violence and misunderstandings in our society that a greater reverence for differences in individuals could help lessen.  Literature in different cultures offers youth opportunities to attain a broader view of the world by reading about cultures other than their own.  They will also be able to better stop prejudice and misunderstandings about people of other cultures.  It will also give minority youth a more positive view of themselves.