This makes me so happy: the power of books

[Tsiyu]

This story makes me so happy on several levels.


http://bookriot.com/2015/09/04/rising-challenge-book-internet-delivered-books-teens/

One of the things brought up while planning this out was the inclusion of a letter that could be printed and included in each of the books, explaining what was going on. Andria suggested I write something — why I wanted to do this and how I did it — but I immediately suggested instead of some stranger telling these teens their stories and lives matter, why don’t I get the author to do something?

Courtney Summers penned this beautiful message, which was printed and included in each copy of the book:

When I found out Some Girls Are was removed as a title for West Ashley High’s summer reading program following the complaints of one parent, I was saddened and disappointed. One of the reasons I write my novels is so that teenagers living the harsh realities depicted in them will read them and feel less alone. We don’t protect teens by censoring their reality and in doing so, we often deny them a lifeline. Books provide us with the opportunity to empower teens by letting them have a say and a choice in what is relevant to their lives.

I’m deeply grateful to Andria Amaral of Charleston County Public Library, Kelly Jensen of Stacked Books, and the countless people who donated copies of Some Girls Are for giving that say and that choice, back to you, the students of West Ashley High.

First, there are awesome people out there who care about censorship, teens, and books.

Next, it shows (if you keep scrolling down) a group of awesome homeschoolers who defy the vile descriptions of homeschooled kids posted here and on other sites on the intertubes.

And last but not least, imagine the conversations the teens will be having when so many young people are reading the same book. It's like a community book club. Let's hope that the issues raised in the book: bullying and violence among girls, and sexual violence, will be discussed and acknowledged as something that needs to change. Let's hope these teens realize through the power of reading that they play a role, and they can help reduce the frequency of these traumatic experiences for their generation in their little world.

Also: Librarians rock.

[Midnight Writer]

1. This reminds me of my mother

I was a very advanced reader, and in grade school I would go to the Adult Library instead of the Children's library in the basement. One time, the librarian in the Adult section refused to let me check out a book, and banned me from the Adult level.

I told my mother, and as shy and unassuming as she was, this got her Irish up. She took me to the library and confronted the Adult librarian. I had never seen her as upset as she was that day, accusing her of holding back her son and instructing her in no uncertain terms that I would be allowed to check out any book I chose, and that my mother alone would decide if it was acceptable reading for me.

Later, my mother sat me down and told me if there was anything I wish to read, anything at all, then to tell her and she would see that I got it. She was true to her word.

60 years later, I still am a dedicated bibliophile, and devote part of every day to reading.

[Tsiyu]

2. That's a good mama

My old man was a tyrant, but wherever we lived, we made weekly trips to the library where we would be allowed to roam for hours. All three kids loved books, so we were never a nuisance.

Back then, there was a library we visited that even loaned framed reproductions of famous paintings.

I carried on the tradition as much as I could with my own, who all love books now, too.