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Date: Mon, 14 Jun 1999 11:11:53 -0400 (EDT)
To: pubyac-digest@nysernet.org
Subject: pubyac V1 #721
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Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 09:48:26
From: Nancy Randle <nrandle@tbpl.thunder-bay.on.ca>
Subject: Stumper
I am pretty sure that this stumper was asked about not to long ago. One of
our patrons remembers a book about a young girl that each morning would
look across a valley and see a house with golden windows. She longed to
live in the house with the golden windows. One day she walked all day long
to the house only to discover that it had ordinary windows. With great
disappointment she turned to go and as she looked at her home, lo and
behold they now had golden windows (from the setting sun of course).
Does this sound familiar....does anyone know the title and author? Any
help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advanced Nancy
Nancy Randle
nrandle@tbpl.thunder-bay.on.ca
Thunder Bay Public Library
285 Red River Road
Thunder Bay, Ontario
P7B 1A9
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Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 08:33:18 -0400
From: ahendon@dorsai.org
Subject: RE: Wringer
> > I kept *screaming* that the whole idea of justifying shooting pigeons
> > by saying it's to raise money for the community was absurd.
> > (I'll say it again--this is a town of idiots if they
> > can't find better ways to raise money and if nobody else has ever
> > questioned shipping in thousands of pigeons just to shoot
them.
I have a friend in western Pennsylvania and her town does this
every year. Every year she protests. The pigeons are imported
from the city (Philadelphia?) and are very tame and unwilling to fly.
Alison
Alison Hendon
ahendon@amanda.dorsai.org
"Though my soul may set in darkness,
It will rise in perfect light,
I have loved the stars too fondly
To be fearful of the night...."
- Sarah Williams, "The Old Astronomer to His Pupil"
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Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 10:42:04 -0400 (EDT)
From: Cathy Sullivan Seblonka <cathys@uproc.lib.mi.us>
Subject: Re: Rinaldi's MY HEART...
Sorry I am replying so late but I have spent much time debating what to do
about Rinaldi's book regarding Carlisle Indian Industrial School. I had
purchased the book before I heard about the controversy, purchased
it because it is part of a very popular series. I also usually trust
Rinaldi as an author except for an earlier book also about Native
Americans.
I know children will ask for the book. Once before I had been in
slight trouble for refusing to add a new book to the collection
someone else had purchased that I thought inaccurately portrayed Native
America. I figure that children will either interlibrary loan the book or
purchase it from their book clubs. Either way they will read the book and
know only a positive account of the Indian boarding schools. They will
have no way of knowing that this account is very erroneous.
I decided to keep the book in the collection but tipped in a page
following the title page that summarizes the critical review found at the
oyate web site which I printed and placed in a file next to the Youth
Services desk. On the tipped-in page I mentioned the review and its
location at the desk, supplied the web site address and added a bib of
accurate titles, for children and adults. I have ordered or will
order the children's titles I lack.
We own THROUGH INDIAN EYES and a bib of Native American books which was
published by the Wisconsin Dept. of Public Schools.
I realize there are other choices regarding this book. If I had not
already purchased it, I don't think I could do so after reading the
critical review.
If anyone has any questions regarding this, please contact me.
Cathy
Cathy Sullivan Seblonka
Youth Services Coordinator
Peter White Public Library
217 N. Front St.
Marquette, MI 49855
(906) 228-9510
fax (906) 228-7315
e-mail: cathys@uproc.lib.mi.us
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 09:42:42 -0500
From: "Brenda S. Evans" <chroom@seidata.com>
Subject: Wringer
Dear Pubyakers,
The retired professor fears that she has been stereotyped. She
works 10 hours a week in an elementary school library, plans the library
activities for the 5th grade, reads almost all of the new children's
books that come into the library, and has book chats with the school
media specialist. She says that she doesn't want the book banned, but
she just wants a discussion as to why this book is a Newbery honor book.
She feels that although it may be a good read, it lacks many of the
qualities usually attributed to a Newbery choice. She asks "Does the
end justify the means?"
Thank you for all of your responses.
Brenda Evans
Madison-Jefferson County Public Library
420 West Main Street
Madison, Indiana 47250
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Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 08:48:01 -0700
From: Angela Reynolds <angelar@wccls.lib.or.us>
Subject: stumper solved: Dad in office
Thanks to the quick reply! The "Dad in Office" book is "The
Poodle who
barked at the wind" by Charlotte Zolotow. A happy patron, of course.
Thanks!
Angela J. Reynolds
Youth Services Librarian
West Slope Community Library
3678 SW 78th Portland, OR 97225
503-292-6416 FAX: 503-292-6932
angelar@wccls.lib.or.us
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Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 11:55:33 -0500 (CDT)
From: "Catherine E. Ingram" <ceingram@starbase1.htls.lib.il.us>
Subject: 1999 Rattlesnake Round Up
YIKES! http://camalott.com/~sweetwater/rattrrup.html It is all true.
UGH! It includes events like (and I could not make this up... check the
website!) Rattlesnake Eating Contest (I really hope they eat pie and just
give it this name!)
Catherine
-----------------------------------------------------------------
| *opinions are my own* |
| Catherine E. Ingram, M.L.S. Joliet Public Library |
| Young Adult Librarian 150 N. Ottawa St. |
| ceingram@htls.lib.il.us Joliet, IL 60432 |
| phone: 815-740-2660 http://www.joliet.lib.il.us |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
> I am sorry to say that things like this really happen even in the '90's.
> Has anyone ever been to the Rattlesnake round-up in Sweetwater Tx. It
> brings in
> quite a bit of community dollars and thousands of snakes are pulled out of
> their dens and
> killed each year. Snakes or pigeons; it's all wildlife. The justification
> is the same.
> I went once to this event and never returned. It was appalling, and I don't
> even like rattlesnakes.
>
> Just My thoughts on the subject!
>
> Jodi Rocco
> Children's Library Asst.
> Abilene Public Library
> Abilene Tx. (40 miles from Sweetwater)
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 13:53:13 -0400
From: Christine Hill <chill@willingboro.org>
Subject: Re: Classics with offensive language?
On the child_lit discussion of My Heart Is on the Ground which originated the
controversy, several alternative titles were suggested, the most frequently My
Name Is
Seepeetza. Interested readers can check the listserv archives for other titles
and the
complete discussion.
I finally read MHIOTG just yesterday. Completely apart from questions of
historical
accuracy, I thought it was badly written, predictable, even corny and
sentimental. I
also had problems with the language the author chose to depict a new
English-speaker's
struggle to write a diary. Most of us know a child newly learning English. Do
they
sound like Tonto? Neither would Nannie.
I was most shocked by the author's afterward in which she blithely asserted that
Indian children in the happy hunting ground would undoubtedly approve of her
work. Why
did Scholastic allow this, even before the brouhaha?
Christine M. Hill
Willingboro Public Library
One Salem Road
Willingboro, NJ 08046
chill@willingboro.org
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 12:31:26 -0500 (CDT)
From: "F. Brautigam" <fbrautig@nslsilus.org>
Subject: Rinaldi Thread
I read the Rinaldi book prepub as a reviewer. Yes, I gave it a positive
review. I found the depiction of the culture-stripping to be horrifying,
the characterization of the school's founder (who was shown as thinking
he was doing a good thing even while it was evident to me that it was a
horrible act) thought-provoking, and the viewpoint of the main character
something that raised my own awareness of how culture-bound I am. Having
read the Oyate review convinced me that Rinaldi probably had relied too
heavily on Carlisle archives and not enough on native experts and made me
inquire to my book review editor about what specialties they think their
reviewers should have. It did not change my basic opinion of the book as
having literary value or being accessible to children as an eye-opening
look at a dreadful period of our history. I can't imagine I read the
same book as the poster who described it as making children think the
Native children in question enjoyed the experience. The Oyate review
also made me wonder to what degree an author should be required to
represent the majority or culturally likely experience. Some children
did graduate from Carlisle, some girl might have thought her head felt
lighter when her hair was cut even though hair-cutting had a negative
connotation, and surely even in a homogeneous culture where sibling
respect was taught, some girl must have at some point thought something
unflattering about her brother. Did anyone question the cultural
likelihood of a girl being allowed to be a ship's sole passenger--with a
male crew--in the True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle?
While the concept of trying to send historical fiction to subject
specialists as reviewers interests me, I'm not entirely convinced it's
feasible or preferred. I only regularly read one publication that uses
that approach but often the text of the reviews makes me wonder about the
reviewers' qualifications in terms of literary knowledge. I've seen many
a book described as being recommended because it is "cute" or
"sweet".
As a reviewer, I admit I can't possibly match the research of an author
who has devoted weeks or months to the subject.
Like Jeri, I'm ready for the flames. I didn't see any point in letting
you damn the reviewers as anonymous beings when here I am on the list
ready to take the hit.
Faith Brautigam
Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, IL 60120
E Mail: fbrautig@nslsilus.org Phone: 847-742-2411 Fax: 847-742-0485
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 13:44:14 -0600 (CST)
From: Claire Isaac <cisaac@rpl.regina.sk.ca>
Subject: Stumper Solved
The question about "Augustus Adolphus" and the futuristic Christmas
dinner
has been solved.
Cindy Sampson-Fleet from Nova Scotia tracked it down. It is actually a
short story, not a poem, titled "New Food" by Stephen Leacock.
Many thanks to Cindy. Isn't PUBYAC great!
Claire Isaac
Regina Public Library
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 14:09:34 -0700
From: "Amy Hroziencik" <amy.hroziencik@spl.org>
Subject: Children's Librarian Postings - Seattle Public Library
Dear Colleague:
The Seattle Public Library, one of the most dynamic public libraries in the
nation, is seeking top-notch candidates for some exceptional openings and we
are asking for your assistance in spreading the word. Currently, we have
four openings for Children's Librarian. We are looking for librarians who
are passionate about children's services, and we would like to ask for your
help. Please share the news about this opening with anyone you know who may
be interested. Thank you for your assistance!
**********************************************************
Children's Librarian Openings
Seattle Public Library
$20.16/hr to start
The Seattle Public Library is the best public Library in the world! We
currently have four current Children's Librarian openings: both full- and
part-time. Two openings would be at the Central Library, working in the
Children's Services. And two openings are in our branch libraries. The
requirements include, a Masters of Library Science, experience providing
services to children, working knowledge of technological & library
applications, exceptional customer service skills, and a sense of humor!
Check on-line at www.spl.org for further details, or e-mail
human.resources@spl.org to request an application. We proudly promote
diversity in employment!
SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 12:54:06 -0700 (PDT)
From: darcy stainton <darcysta@vpl.vancouver.bc.ca>
Subject: Rinaldi..."My Heart..."
Somebody on the list was recently asking for alternatives to this title. I
highly recommend Shirley Sterling's _My Name is Seepeetza_ (Toronto:
Groundwood, 1992). Written at the same level, this title is very well
written and historically accurate. Told in the first person, it is an
excellent account of life in a residential school. I've met some first
nations elders in Kamloops, British Columbia (which Sterling used as a
model for her fictitious locale), and they concur with her facts and
descriptions, as do local historians. Another plus -- Sterling is First
Nations herself, and is very sensitive to the many cultural issues.
************
D'Arcy Stainton, Librarian
Strathcona Branch, Vancouver Public Library
Phone: (604) 665-3967
Fax: (604) 665-3549
www.vpl.vancouver.bc.ca
************
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End of pubyac V1 #721
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