October 2004

Dear Fellow Book Lovers:

PARENTS AND BOOKS

Banned Books Week celebrations are over, and school and public libraries are making plans for Children’s Book Week in November. Though libraries celebrate books every day, it is nice to have a particular week when the public is reminded of the natural link between children and story. Thanks to the Children’s Book Council, this special celebration is publicized nationwide, and children are invited to participate in exciting activities, such as book fairs, skits, reading marathons, author visits, character dress-up days, and book trivia contests.

But, there is a terrific opportunity to connect the awareness component of Banned Books Week to Children’s Book Week by planning programs that asks parents to become actively involved with what their children are reading. Such programs give parents a voice, and help them see how their children respond to literature. Here are a few suggestions:

• Sponsor a program that relates the themes in literature to the daily lives of children and young adults.
• Offer a workshop called “Talking to Teens and Children About Tough Issues.”
• Invite parents and children who read together to participate in a panel discussion about the importance of books in their family.
• Have mini children’s and young adult literature classes where parents explore genres from fantasy and science fiction to contemporary issues.

GENERATING IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION

• Speak with social workers, clergy, school counselors, teachers, and other people who work with children and teenagers, and ask them to identify problems that lead to conflicts within families.
• Interview several parents and ask them to describe their relationships with their children and teenagers. What are their personal needs in developing positive parent-child relationships?
• Question children and teenagers about their concerns regarding their relationships with their families and friends.
• Ask young patrons to write about the book they most want their parents to read and why.
• Research why specific books have been challenged, and draw a parallel between these challenges and what children want to read.

TOPICS TO EXPLORE

Family Relationships are a topic of interest to children and their parents. They may want to read books like The Watsons Go To Birmingham—1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis (ages 9-12) and discuss sibling rivalry. The Anastasia Krupnik series of books by Lois Lowry (ages 9-12) give an opportunity to explore a very positive parent/child relationship. Journey by Patricia Maclachlan (ages 9-12) deals with abandonment, while presenting a very loving intergenerational family.

Peer Pressure concerns all children and teenagers. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier (ages 12 up) offers provocative discussion about peer pressure and the consequences of violating the rules set by peers. Spider Boy by Ralph Fletcher (ages 9-12) explores what happens when the family of an intelligent, introspective boy moves and he is suddenly the new kid in school.

Values in Conflict is a topic that is closely linked to books that are often challenged. Parents may want to discuss The Giver by Lois Lowry (ages 12 up) and learn ways to talk about the controversial issues in the book with their children. This is also a chance to take a close look at the good vs. evil theme in most fantasy. Ask parents to debate why people feel that their values are questioned when children and teens read the works of Philip Pullman, Lloyd Alexander, and Tamora Pierce.

These are only a few suggestions. There are so many themes and topics to explore, and so many good books to introduce to parents. The important thing is to grant parents a formal opportunity to explore their children’s world through books.

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