READ, LIRE, LEE, Y.A.

Monday, July 23, 2012

The Lovely Bones

Bibliographic Information: Sebold, A. (2002). The lovely bones. Boston: Little, Brown and Company
ISBN:

Plot Summary:

My name is Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973.

Susie Salmon is like any other ordinary 14 year old girl with crushes, younger siblings, parents she loves, and so much to live for. One day she decides to walk home through and old corn field, only to be abducted, brutally raped, and murdered by a psychotic neighbor.

Susie Salmon's story is told from her perspective, between heaven and earth, as she watches her family fall apart. Susie inter-splices her observations of her grief stricken father, her distant mother, and lost siblings, with flashbacks to memories, and to also share the beauty of the heaven she partially exists in. Susie must learn to let go of her family and all that ties her to the earth in order to finally be completely part of heaven.

Critical Evaluation:

These were the lovely bones that had grown around my absence: the connections- sometimes tenuous, sometimes made at great cost, but often magnificent- that happened after I was gone. And I began to see things in a way that let me hold the world without me in it. The events that my death wrought were merely bones of a body that would become whole at some unpredictable time in the future. The price of what I came to see as this miraculous body had been in my life.

-Alice Sebold, (Pg. 320)

Alice Sebold takes the title of her book from this passage. She builds a metaphor around Susie's literal scattered bones to represent the things that come of the shards of life, the "lovely bones" that accumulate from what has passed, and grow to become a whole new being of hope and even happiness. The "lovely bones that had grown" represent the bone fragments that have knitted together in Susie's absence, the pieces that shattered apart upon her death, and have slowly mended together with time. Out of the space that was Susie's life, her family has been forced to rebuild again; and even though her family fought the movement of time, it was eventual and unrelenting. Susie's father, her mother, even her siblings had no other choice but to move forward and from that movement has sprung forward "the lovely bones," small fragile bones that grew out of the barrenness of Susie's death. Susie recognizes the profound message that remains at the end of her tale, of a family so shattered that it has no other option but to come back together painfully, but lovingly. What begins again, "the lovely bones" that have risen are the result of the beauty that rises from the dark and sad.

Reader’s Annotation: Caught between heaven and earth, 14 year old Susie Salmon tells that tale of her chilling demise as she watches over her crumbling family.

Information About the Author: Alice Sebold was born September 6, 1963 in Madison, Wisconsin (biography.com, 2012). Her early life was difficult and was greatly influenced by an alcoholic mother that was often crippled under bouts of panic and anxiety (biography.com, 2012). Unfortuantely, Sebold's life only became more difficult when she was brutally raped in a tunnel at Syracuse University (biography.com, 2012). This influenced Sebold's life greatly, causing her fear and anxiety throughout the years (biography.com, 2012). She later graduated and attempted to pursue a graduate program in Texas (biography.com, 2012). Sebold was unable to finish this program due to a heroin addiction (biography.com, 2012). She later moved to New York City where she worked a variety of odd jobs (biography.com, 2012).

Sebold later moved to California and matriculated in a graduate program at University of California, Irivine (biography.com, 2012). It was during this time that she wrote her first book, Lucky (the police to her she was "lucky" to survive her attack since another girl was similarly attacked and murdered) (biography.com, 2012). She later wrote The Lovely Bones which was later turned into a movie (biography.com, 2012).

Sebold currently lives in San Francisco, CA with her husband (biography.com, 2012).

The Lovely Bones movie trailer

Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Horror, and Suspense, Contemporary, Crossover

Subgenre: Psychopaths, Death and Deadly Disease, Alternate and Parallel Worlds

Curriculum Ties: Can tie into a discussion on the afterlife.

Booktalking Ideas:
1). What is keeping Susie rooted to earth?
2). Why do Susie's parents become distant with each other?

Reading Level/Interest Age:Lexile Reading Level: 890/Adult (Follett's Titlewave, 2012)
Adult Crossover to YA (bookbrowse.com, 2012)

Challenge Issues: This book portrays the harsh subjects of murder, rape, and family instability. I would use the following items to defend it:

1) Refer to Library Bill of Rights, see items: I, II, and III (http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill).
2) Refer to San Diego Public Library collection policy - (http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/about-the-library/freedom.shtml). Original site: The American Library Association (ALA) Freedom to Read/View Statement (http://www.ala.org/offices/oif/statementspols/ftrstatement/freedomreadstatement).
3) Refer to California School Library Association (CSLA), Model School Library Standards - September 2010 (http://www.csla.net/index.php/publications/school-library-standards). PDF: (http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/librarystandards.pdf).

4) Refer t0 American Association for School, Librarians Standards for the 21st Century Learner (http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/guidelinesandstandards/learningstandards/AASL_Learning_Standards_2007.pdf)

5) Contact Office of Intellectual Freedom for any further support, 800-545-2433, ext. 4223 or oif@ala.org.

biography.com. (2012). Alice Sebold biography. Retrieved July 24, 2012 from http://www.biography.com/people/alice-sebold-20702765?page=1

bookbrowse.com (2012). YA to adult crossover. Retrived July 24, 2012 from http://www.bookbrowse.com/browse/index.cfm?fuseaction=books&category_number=128&start_id=113&order=p

Follett's Titlewave. (2012). The lovely bones. Retrieved July, 24 2012 from Follett's Titlewave iPhone app.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

Bibliographic Information: Flynn, B. [Producer], & Peyton, B. [Director]. (2012). Journey 2: The mysterious island [Motion Picture]. USA: New Line Cinema.

Plot Summary: 17 year old Sean Anderson has a new step-father, Hank, who he refers to as "legal guardian." Sean is not happy about the new addition to his family and is constantly acting out. The movie opens with Sean fleeing on a motorcycle in a high speed chase as numerous cop cars attempt to catch him. In a last ditch effort to run away, Sean flies over a play structure and into a backyard pool. Sean's stepfather, who seems to have connections with the local police, is called in and takes Sean home.

When back at home, in an effort to try to bond with Sean, Hank visits Sean in his room and tries getting him to open up about what's going on in his life. Sean makes obvious efforts to not talk to Hank and continues working on a project at his desk. Hank leans in to take a look and notices that it's an encoded message. Sean then tells Hank that he is sure the message is from his grandfather who may be stranded on a mythical island. With Hank's help, Sean soon cracks the message sending him into a traveling frenzy. Realizing the perfect opportunity to bond with his stepson, Hank buys them both tickets to find the island together.

Soon, Sean and Hank set off to the nearest island to the mythical island meeting Gabato and Kailani who attempt to take them to their desired location in a helicopter. Soon they are sucked down into a category 5 tornado, where their true adventure begins.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island trailer

Critical Evaluation: N/A

Reader’s Annotation: An unscrambled message sets, Sean Anderson and his stepfather, Hank, on an adventure to save his grandfather that may be stranded on a mythical island.

Information About the Director: Brad Peyton was born in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador (tribute, 2012). He first received recognition for his short Evelyn: The Cutest Evil Dead Girl in 2002 (tribute, 2012). Peyton has also directed: Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008) and Cats & Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore (2010) (tribute, 2012).

Genre: Adventure, Action, Comedy, Fantasy

Curriculum Ties: Can tie into a lesson about Jules Verne's Journey

Booktalking Ideas:
1). Does Hank's effort to get closer to his stepson work?
2). What influence does Jules Vere's book The Mysterious Island have on this movie?

Reading Level/Interest Age: 13+

Challenge Issues: This movie contains some elements of high intensity action. I would use the following items to defend this movie if it was challenged:

1) Refer to Library Bill of Rights, see items: I, II, and III (http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill).
2) Refer to San Diego Public Library collection policy - (http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/about-the-library/freedom.shtml). Original site: The American Library Association (ALA) Freedom to Read/View Statement (http://www.ala.org/offices/oif/statementspols/ftrstatement/freedomreadstatement).
3) Refer to California School Library Association (CSLA), Model School Library Standards - September 2010 (http://www.csla.net/index.php/publications/school-library-standards). PDF: (http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/librarystandards.pdf).

5) Contact Office of Intellectual Freedom for any further support, 800-545-2433, ext. 4223 or oif@ala.org.

Brothers

Bibliographic Information: Auerbach, D., & Carney, P. (2010). Brothers [Audio CD]. The Black Keys & Neil, M. Alabama: Muscled Shoals Sound Studio

Plot Summary: Brothers is heavily driven by themes of love, heartbreak, and finding the right person. Each track tells a different story that is accompanied by guitar rifts and a deep blues inspired singing voice.

Critical Evaluation: A recurring motif in this album is the presence of "the girl," or the unattainable object love. Many songs are centered around this image of this "girl' that either spurns, entrances, lifts up, or breaks down those that love her. This can be seen in songs like Everlasting Light, Next Girl, Howling for You, Tighten Up, and Never Gonna to Give You Up (to name a few).

This reoccurring motif of love as both a destructive and thrilling force is only further emphasized by the blues-rock infusions that are threaded throughout every track. Not only do the lyrics reflect the subject's complex feelings towards love and everything connected to it, but also the blues infused rhythms that drip a mixture of deep sadness and reflection. Overall, the topic of love, or "the girl," is a complex component of life that is carefully carved into many songs on the Brothers album.

Tighten Up by The Black Keys

Reader’s Annotation: This album tells love stories that are framed by blues influences and rocking guitar rifts.

Information About the Band: The Black Keys is made up of two members, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney (Amazon, 2012). Both grew up in Akron, Ohio and joined together in 2002 to release their debut album, The Big Come Up (Amazon, 2012). The Black Keys have recorded most of their albums in Alabama at the Muscle Shoals Studio (Amazon, 2012). Auerbach and Carney named their album Brothers to represent their solidarity through the good and bad times they have experienced together which have only made their duo stronger (Amazon, 2012).

Some other records by The Black Keys: Thickfreakness (2002), Rubber Factory (2004), Chulahoma (2006), Attack and Release (2008), and El Camino (2011) (Amazon, 2012).

Genre: Alternative, Blues-Rock

Curriculum Ties: Could be used in a section on music appreciation and history.

Booktalking Ideas:
1). What does this album show about the relationship between blues and rocks?
2). How's does blues handle the theme of love?

Reading Level/Interest Age: 15+

Challenge Issues: Some mature themes such as sex and relationships. I would use the following items to defend this CD if it was challenged:

1) Refer to Library Bill of Rights, see items: I, II, and III (http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill).
2) Refer to San Diego Public Library collection policy - (http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/about-the-library/freedom.shtml). Original site: The American Library Association (ALA) Freedom to Read/View Statement (http://www.ala.org/offices/oif/statementspols/ftrstatement/freedomreadstatement).
3) Refer to California School Library Association (CSLA), Model School Library Standards - September 2010 (http://www.csla.net/index.php/publications/school-library-standards). PDF: (http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/librarystandards.pdf).

5) Contact Office of Intellectual Freedom for any further support, 800-545-2433, ext. 4223 or oif@ala.org.

6) Refer to legitimate book reviews, such as: School Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Horn Book and others; found on either Academic Search Premier, Follett's TITLEWAVE, or Amazon.com.

Why did you include this CD in the titles you selected?: I included this CD in my collection because it offers students a different style of music. This band is currently very popular with the teen scene due to its alternative rock feel and lyrics.

Reference Page:

amazon.com. (2012). The black keys. Retrieved July 21, 2012 from http://www.amazon.com/The-Black-Keys/e/B000APP11I/ref=ac_dpt_sa_bio

The Black Keys. (2010). The black keys cover art. Retrieved July 21, 2012 http://theblackkeysfanlounge.com/2010/02/brothers-the-black-keys-new-album-out-may-18-2010/

Freaky Friday

Bibliographic Information: Gunn, A. [Producer], & Waters, M. [Director]. (2003). Freaky friday [Motion Picture]. USA: Walt Disney Pictures.

Plot Summary: Dr. Anna Coleman and her 15 year old daughter, Tess, are constantly butting heads and can't seem to agree on any subject. Anna is forever miffed by her daughter's rebellious style and irritating rock band aspirations, while Tess can't understand why her mother needs to act so stuffy and remarry. One night they go out to Chinese food and end up in another uproarious argument. Overhearing their squabble, the restaurant host sneaks them magical fortune cookies. Soon after breaking into the cookies an earthquake is felt, foreshadowing disruptive events to come.

The next day both Anna and Tess wake up shockingly discovering that they have switched bodies. This sets off a series of comedic events that force both Anna and Tess to understand a little bit more about why they are the people that they are. This twist of events finally engenders some understanding between the two fighting groups.

Critical Evaluation: The theme of Freaky Friday is one of changing views in order to understand other people better. This theme manifests in Freaky Friday as the characters literally change bodies. This forces them to deal with each other's problems and everyday dilemmas like never before. This essentially forces them to change their views of each other and to be more sensitive about what each has to deal with. The fortune cookie triggering their physical change is not in itself enough for them to change their views, but seeing the world through each other's eyes is really what makes the difference.

This theme is a very important when it comes to teens and their parents. Often time teens are not able to understand why their parents do what they do. Similarly, parents frequently do not understand their teens. These kinds of misunderstandings make being close very difficult. The only solution often is to try to understand each other a little bit better, to change their point of view of each other's lives, and to not make assumptions. For Anna and Tess, the fortune cookie makes this possible.

Freaky Friday trailer

Reader’s Annotation: One little fortune cookies forces mother and daughter to understand each other a little bit more as they frantically learn to walk in each other's shoes.

Information About the Director: Mark Waters was born June 30, 1964 in South Bend, Indiana (Tribute, 2012). He attended the University of Pennsylvania and spent time studying theater (Tribute, 2012). Waters graduated in 1986 and soon after moved to San Francisco (Tribute, 2012). Waters' first movie success was House of Yes in 1997 (Tribute, 2012).

Some other films by Waters: Head over heels (2001), Freaky Friday (2003), Just Like Heaven (2005), Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (2009) (Tribute, 2012). Waters received the Franklin J. Schaffner Award by the American Film Institute (Tribute, 2012).
Genre: Science Fiction, Comedy

Curriculum Ties: Ties into a lesson on inter-generational relationships.

Booktalking Ideas:
1). Does switching bodies give Anna and Tess a better sense of each other's points of view?
2). What kind of magical do the fortune cookies bring to the story?
3). Do Anna and Tess have a typical relationship?

Reading Level/Interest Age: 15+

Challenge Issues: No challenge issues. If any issues arise I will use the following materials to defend this item:

1) Refer to Library Bill of Rights, see items: I, II, and III (http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill).
2) Refer to San Diego Public Library collection policy - (http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/about-the-library/freedom.shtml). Original site: The American Library Association (ALA) Freedom to Read/View Statement (http://www.ala.org/offices/oif/statementspols/ftrstatement/freedomreadstatement).
3) Refer to California School Library Association (CSLA), Model School Library Standards - September 2010 (http://www.csla.net/index.php/publications/school-library-standards). PDF: (http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/librarystandards.pdf).

5) Contact Office of Intellectual Freedom for any further support, 800-545-2433, ext. 4223 or oif@ala.org.

cover art:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freaky_Friday_%282003_film%29

eBook & Audiobooks (EBSCOhost)

Bibliographic Information: eBooks & audiobooks (EBSCOhost). http://ebscohost.com/ebooks. EBSCOhost.

Plot Summary: eBooks & Audiobooks, a component of the subscription database services EBSCOhost, offers a wide selection of downloadable digital ebooks and audiobooks. This tool, paired with the other EBSCOhost products, offers researchers, students, and a variety of other users complex search results and a full spectrum of resources.

Critical Evaluation: N/A

Reader’s Annotation: eBook & Audiobooks by EBSCOhost offer ebooks and audiobooks downloads that perfectly accent the wide variety of EBSCOhost database search results.

Information About the Database: EBooks & Audio books is a component of EBSCOhost (EBSCOhost, 2012). The EBSCOhost platform offers a variety of services including: DynaMEd, H.W. Wilson, Digital Archives, and many more services (EBSCOhost, 2012). Receiving more than 100 million daily page views, EBSCohost is an excellent resouce for a multitute of schools, libraries, universities, researchers and a variety of other users (EBSCOhost, 2012). EBSCOhost offers top notch data in a variety of different fields and prides itself in offering premium content to a wide user base (EBSCOhost, 2012).

Genre: Database

Curriculum Ties: Ties into lessons on better research practices.

Booktalking Ideas: N/A

Reading Level/Interest Age: 15+

Challenge Issues: No challenge issues.

1) Refer to Library Bill of Rights, see items: I, II, and III (http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill).
2) Refer to San Diego Public Library collection policy - (http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/about-the-library/freedom.shtml). Original site: The American Library Association (ALA) Freedom to Read/View Statement (http://www.ala.org/offices/oif/statementspols/ftrstatement/freedomreadstatement).
3) Refer to California School Library Association (CSLA), Model School Library Standards - September 2010 (http://www.csla.net/index.php/publications/school-library-standards). PDF: (http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/librarystandards.pdf).

5) Contact Office of Intellectual Freedom for any further support, 800-545-2433, ext. 4223 or oif@ala.org.

The Book Thief

Bibliographic Information: Zusak, M. (2007). The book thief. USA: Knopf. ISBN: 978-0-375-84220-7

Plot Summary: Set in Nazi Germany, The Book Thief tells the story of a young girl, Liesel Meminger, through the narration of Death who accidentally finds her diary. Liesel, the daughter of communist sympathizers, is sent to Molching, Germany, in order to be distanced from her parents' dangerous reputation. On the way to Molching, Liesel's brother dies suddenly of a fatal cough. Even though Liesel does not read, this event sets Liesel's book thievery into motion as she steals the grave digger's book, The Grave Digger's Handbook, as a memento of her young brother's funeral and untimely death.

Upon arriving in Molching, and being forced to leave her mother, Liesel is introduced to her new foster parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermann. Liesels' transition into Himmel Street (which means "Heaven Street" in German) is a rough one as Liesel deals with nightmares and sorrowful memories of both her dead brother and mother. Soon Liesel forms a bond with Hans, her foster father, who spends sleepless nights with her helping her deal with her nightmares. Soon Hans is teaching her to read and write, feeding Liesel's love for words that is so closely rooted to the absence of her mother and father. Liesel is also enveloped by Rosa, her foster mother, even though Rosa's love is much coarser than that of Hans.

Nazi sentiment continues to increase as Liesel finds her place in her new home. To pass the time Liesel makes friends with Ruddy, a nearby neighbor, who randomly helps Liesel with her thievery. It is not long before the Nazi conflict comes close to home as Hans makes the difficult decision to hide Max Vandenburg, a Jew, in his basement. This decision sets off a series of events that forever changes the lives of Liesel, Hans, and Rosa on their beloved Himmel Street.

Critical Evaluation: Words and language play a significant part in The Book Thief. For Liesel Meminger words become the only memento she has of her mother and brother. An evident truth as she holds on to The Grave Digger's Manual, a book that she is unable to read in the beginning but struggles to learn to read over time with Hans Hubbermann, her foster father. Every time she reads this book, and any book thereafter, she becomes closer to the memory of those she has lost. She then uses this comfort to comfort others in times of distress. Words become a conduit of memory, love, and most of all, a sort of resilience that keeps Liesel together in the most difficult of times. Liesel is even able to understand that she is not the only one that understands the power of words as she witnesses the cruelty that is only made possible by Hitler's rhetoric.

Liesel has a dual vision of the world around her as she realizes that words are not just a positive thing, but can also be used to wreak terrible havoc. Liesel understands the dangerous side of words as she witnesses Hitler use the words to his advantage as he spews the hate that changes a whole nation. Liesel only understands this more, as she witnesses Max Vandenburg struggle against the guilt of being the only survivor and of having left his family behind. Liesel understands that Hitler's words have poisoned many around her and changed them into heartless monsters. These factors make words even more important to Liesel as she is surrounded by the love of Hans, Rosa, and Max who all encourage her to continue using the words to help those around her.

Words in the end symbolize a powerful force of change and influence that can be used in so many ways, for joy and hate, for hope and despair.

Reader’s Annotation: Liesel Meminger finds power and strength through words as she comforts others through the conflict of Nazi Germany, the Holocaut, and World War II.

Information About the Author: Markus Zusak was born in Sidney, Australia in 1975 where he currently resides with his wife and daughter (Grade Saver, 2012). Zusak found the inspiration to write The Book Thief from stories her heard from stories he hear from his mother and father who both experienced World War II (Random House, 2012). Zusak intended to write a short novella, but found the subject matter so important that he ended up with a 500+ page story. Zusak cites The Old Man and the Sea, The Outsiders, and What's Eating Gilbert Grape as influencing him as a boy to become a writer (Random House, 2012).

Some of Zusak's other works include: The Underdog (1999), Fighting Ruben Wolfe (2001), When Dogs Cry (2002), The Messenger (2002), and Bridge of Clay (2009) (Grade Saver, 2012).

Genre: Historical, Fantasy, Mystery, Suspense and Horror

Subgenre: World War II and the Holocaust, The Occult and Supernatural

Curriculum Ties: Ties into lessons on Nazi Germany, the Holocaust, World War II, and conflict.

Booktalking Ideas:
1). What is the importance of the usage of color throughout the book?
2). What does Death mean by saying that he is "haunted by humans?"
3). What do words mean to Liesele?

Reading Level/Interest Age: Lexile Reading Level: 730/YA (Follett's Titlewave, 2012).

Challenge Issues: This book contains images of war, human cruelty, and violence. I would use the following items to defend this book if it was challenged:

1) Refer to Library Bill of Rights, see items: I, II, and III (http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill).
2) Refer to San Diego Public Library collection policy - (http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/about-the-library/freedom.shtml). Original site: The American Library Association (ALA) Freedom to Read/View Statement (http://www.ala.org/offices/oif/statementspols/ftrstatement/freedomreadstatement).
3) Refer to California School Library Association (CSLA), Model School Library Standards - September 2010 (http://www.csla.net/index.php/publications/school-library-standards). PDF: (http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/librarystandards.pdf).

5) Contact Office of Intellectual Freedom for any further support, 800-545-2433, ext. 4223 or oif@ala.org.

6) Refer to legitimate book reviews, such as: School Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Horn Book and others; found on either Academic Search Premier, Follett's TITLEWAVE, or Amazon.com.

Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?: This book tells a powerful story about a girl struggling to understand what is happening in her life through the use of words, reading, and writing. Liesel's experience through war and describe events that many young adults in the U.S will never experience. I included this book as a means of describing to young adults the negative effects of conflict, war, and violence and the boundless spirit of humans to overcome.

Reference Page:

Follett's Titlewave. (2012). The book thief. Retrieved July 21, 2012 from Follett's Titlewave iPhone app.

Grade Saver. (2012). The biography of Markus Zusak (1975-). Retrieved July 21, 2012 from http://www.gradesaver.com/author/markus-zusak/

Random House. (2012). The author. Retrieved July 21, 2012 from http://www.randomhouse.com/features/markuszusak/author.html

Cover art:
Zusak, M. (2005). The book thief cover art. Retrieve July 21, 2012 from http://pancakesandfrenchfries.com/2012/02/the-phenomenally-indecisive-book-club-march-the-book-thief/

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Gale PowerSearch

Bibliographic Information: Gale PowerSearch. http://www.gale.cengage.com/. Cengage Learning, Inc.

Plot Summary: Gale PowerSearch is a super search function of the Gale research group. Gale PowerSearch allows users to search over all the different Gale product options, such as: Gale Virtual Reference Library, Science In Context, Biography In Context, and over 35 other products. This option allows users the widest net of information possible.

Critical Evaluation: N/A

Reader’s Annotation: Gale PowerSearch is a high powered search option that offers researchers the widest net of information retrieval.

Information About the Author: Gale, a part of Cengage learning, is an e-research and publishing service for students, schools, universities, libraries, and a variety of other users (Gale: About, 2012). The Gale company offers over 600 databases that are in print, ebooks, published online, and in microform (Gale: About, 2012). Some of the resources Gale offers are: fulltext magazines, newspapers, and many other services (Gale: About, 2012).

Genre: Database

Curriculum Ties: Tie into lessons on best research practices and resources.

Booktalking Ideas: N/A

Reading Level/Interest Age: 15+

Challenge Issues: No issues. If there are any issues, I would use the following items as a defense:

1) Refer to Library Bill of Rights, see items: I, II, and III (http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill).
2) Refer to San Diego Public Library collection policy - (http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/about-the-library/freedom.shtml). Original site: The American Library Association (ALA) Freedom to Read/View Statement (http://www.ala.org/offices/oif/statementspols/ftrstatement/freedomreadstatement).
3) Refer to California School Library Association (CSLA), Model School Library Standards - September 2010 (http://www.csla.net/index.php/publications/school-library-standards). PDF: (http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/librarystandards.pdf).

5) Contact Office of Intellectual Freedom for any further support, 800-545-2433, ext. 4223 or oif@ala.org.

Pages

Monday, July 23, 2012

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Wednesday, July 18, 2012