Banned Book Week

	Banned Book Week Interagency-UDYC's November Book Talk
Students			Books selected by our students
Completed Terry Nicole Shay Amy Rocky In Process Lawrence Amber David Kelly Megan Cory Antonia	On September 26th, students and staff from Interagency-UDYC attended a performance by Book-It Repertory Theater at the University Branch of the Seattle Public Library. Book-It read selected pieces from various books that have been challenged at libraries across the country.		Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K.Rowling Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers Carrie by Stephen King The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King Goosebumps: Night of the Living Dummy by R.L. Stine Annie on my Mind by Nancy Garden A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle Holes by Louis Sachar * The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis * * not necessarily banned or challenged
		Students heard selections from Annie on my Mind, The Terrorist, and I am the Cheese. They participated in a discussion about the First Amendment and what censorship is. Students then each selected a book from the banned or challenged book list.

		On November 7th, the students who had completed their books met with Mike, Kevin and Darlene, the young adult librarian, to have a book discussion. Each student gave a brief summary of his or her book, and shared thoughts on why he or she thought it had been challenged. Darlene provided pizza, grape juice, and guidance for the discussion. The format was loose enough that students shared stories about other books, movies, or personal experiences.
	Terry read Fallen Angels, a story about young men caught up in the Vietnam War. He enjoyed it, but thought that some of the violent imagery, language, and story line might be too sophisticated for young audiences. He felt that it might be inappropriate for an elementary school library.
		Nicole read The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, a Stephen King novel. She found it suspenseful and scary ... "kind of weird...like nothing I've ever read before." The story's chronology was not linear, and much of the action takes place in the main character's head.
	Shay read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Yes, that is the REALLY big one -- over 700 pages! She has read all four of the books in the series, and thought this one was different in many ways. There is a lot going on -- many new characters. Shay understands that the reasons Harry Potter books have been challenged include sorcery and disobedience. She points out that the books really are about an epic struggle between good and evil, and that readers root for the good guys. She feels it doesn't send out a negative message at all, and that the disobedience in the book always starts with good intentions. Shay is a BIG Harry Potter fan
		Amy read Goosebumps: Night of the Living Dummy by R.L.Stine. This book, like Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, is one of a series that has been challenged many times. This particular book is about a ventriloquist's dummy that is possessed by a malevolent spirit. The dummy shows up in weird and unexplained places. Eventually, the humans destroyed the dummy. When they did, a visible green "spirit" appeared to escape its body. Shay noted that there is indeed a sequel to this book. All the students agreed that dummies and dolls tend to be innately creepy. Amy liked the book, but could see how some people might think it would be too scary for really young readers.