[ISLMA-Share] Genius Files Question

Tue Aug 9 23:00:55 CDT 2016

I am not sure if it will allow me to attach this photo, but it is a photo
of Author Dan Gutman's response to similar complaints. He responded in
October on his FB page. I am not agreeing with him in any way, only sharing.

On Tuesday, August 9, 2016, Email list for the Illinois School Library
Media Association <islma at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:

> Oh my goodness this is just awful to hear. We had Mr. Gutman at our
> schools last year...it was quite an honor because he no longer does school
> visits.
>
> While I've read many of his books, I did not feel that I need to read the *Genius
> Files.*
>
> Whatever possessed him to use the term "retarded," and how did it ever get
> nominated for an award?
>
> Kids check out this series as choice reading and I wouldn't have the
> opportunity to explain why or why not Mr. Gutman used such a vulgar term.
>
> Unless someone,  who has read the book,   can give me just cause for the
> term...I'm pulling the book.
>
> Very disappointing, but I thank you for pointing this out to us.
>
> Linda
>
> “Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June
> and August.”
> —Jenny Han, *The Summer I Turned Pretty*
> _________________________________________________________
> Linda M. Polak, MLIS
> Director of Library/Information Services
> Sunset Ridge School (Grades 4-8)
> 525 Sunset Ridge Road
> Northfield, IL 60093
> polakl at sunsetridge29.org
> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','polakl at sunsetridge29.org');>
> (847-881-9449)
> Fax: 847-446-6388
>
>
> On Tue, Aug 9, 2016 at 7:08 PM, Email list for the Illinois School Library
> Media Association <islma at list.railslibraries.info
> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','islma at list.railslibraries.info');>> wrote:
>
>> I also noticed those two things (girl twin not as smart, retarded) and
>> they bothered me. I also felt like the book wandered in terms of plot. I've
>> never served on an awards committee, but I know they work very hard to
>> choose books for the list. It's impossible to know what they discussed and
>> what other books were rejected.
>>
>> I guess, as Joanne said, it is a good opportunity for discussion.
>> However, I'm not sure that I will be able to mention it every time I book
>> talk the book. (Or if it is even appropriate to.) If I do, will those two
>> things be the only things they notice about the book when they read it?
>>
>> Pam
>>
>> On Tue, Aug 9, 2016 at 3:25 PM, Email list for the Illinois School
>> Library Media Association <islma at list.railslibraries.info
>> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','islma at list.railslibraries.info');>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Helen --
>>>
>>> I really could not believe this book made it to the final Bluestem list.
>>> I had a problem with the two things you mentioned as well as the violence
>>> and, really, the lack of a coherent plot. I think that if Gutman had just
>>> written a funny realistic fiction book about the family roadtrip and all
>>> the unusual roadside attractions they visit, it would have probably made a
>>> much better book. When I discuss this with my Bluestem Book Club students,
>>> I intend to bring up the problems that I have with the book. It will be
>>> interesting to hear what the students have to say about it.
>>>
>>> Joanne
>>>
>>> On Tue, Aug 9, 2016 at 3:04 PM, Email list for the Illinois School
>>> Library Media Association <islma at list.railslibraries.info
>>> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','islma at list.railslibraries.info');>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Anyone had any experience with discussion of a couple of things that
>>>> are disturbing me about this book?
>>>>
>>>> 1) several instances of a major character repeatedly using the word
>>>> "retarded"
>>>> 2) many references to the girl twin not being smart?
>>>>
>>>> Am I being over sensitive?  This is really bugging me.....
>>>>
>>>> Helen Bibler
>>>> LLCD - Heritage Lakes School
>>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> *Joanne Zienty, MLIS*
>>> LMC Specialist
>>> Forest Elementary School
>>> CCSD62 - Des Plaines
>>>
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>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Ms. Pamela L. Meiser
>> *Library Information Teacher*
>>
>> *Barbara B. Rose Elementary School*
>>
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