December 2005

Dear Fellow Book Lovers:

Tis’ the Season for Celebration

Most libraries plan traditional December holiday celebrations by displaying appropriate books, and even sponsoring festive gatherings and parties. But, December should be celebrated for many other reasons.  

On December 10, 1948 , the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. And, it was on December 1, 1955 that Rosa Parks took a seat that was reserved for “whites only” on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. This event began the modern Civil Rights Movement.   I’m proposing that libraries plan activities and display books that honor Rosa Parks by making a connection between her courageous act and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  

It’s very easy to identify historical literature that deals with the mistreatment and intolerance of other races and cultures, but children and young adults need to take a look at their own world, and discuss their responsibility in promoting the tenets of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: freedom, justice and peace. There is no better way to honor the life of Rosa Parks.  

• Display the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

• Engage children and young adults in a discussion about the meaning of Human Rights

• Ask young readers to read about Rosa Parks and discuss how she is a symbol of Human Rights

• Ask patrons to identify national and world events of the past year that should   be   protected by the

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights

• Young readers may enjoy creating a mural that represents the 30 Articles

• Sponsor an essay or art contest called “Freedom, Justice and Peace”

• Encourage readers to identify books that connect by theme to each of the 30 Articles

The following books from Random House offer young readers the opportunity to think about Human Rights, and make a connection to the world in which we live:

• The Acorn People (Ages 12 up) by Ron Jones

• The Convicts (Ages 10 up) by Iain Lawrence

• Fish (Ages 10 up) by L. S. Matthews

• The Giver (Ages 10 up) by Lois Lowry

• How I Live Now (Ages 12 up) by Meg Rosoff

• Holes (Ages 10 up) by Louis Sachar

• Light Years (Ages 14 up) by Tammar Stein

• Monkey Island (Ages 10 up) by Paula Fox

• Pictures of Hollis Woods (Ages 8-13) by Patricia Reilly Giff

• Refugees (Ages 12 up) by Catherine Stine

• Small Steps (Ages 12 up) by Louis Sachar

• The Wave (Ages 12 up) by Todd Strasser

• When Zachary Beaver Came to Town (Ages 10 up) by Kimberly Willis Holt

• Year of No Rain (Ages 9-12) by Alice Mead

You may email me at pscales@scgsah.state.sc.us.