[ISLMA-Share] Genius Files Question

Wed Aug 10 11:23:14 CDT 2016

When I read the book I thought it was ironic that the genius in the family
doesn't seem to know that the word retarded is politically incorrect and
his sister calls him out on it. Is Dan trying to alude to the fact that a
genius may be socially inept or has flaws?

When we had Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver for an author visit a parent who
has a downs syndrome child approached me about one of Henry Winkler's Hank
ZIpzer books that has the word retarded in it. I read the book and in it
Hank calls himself retarded because of his difficulty reading. As some of
you know Henry Winkler has dyslexia and some of his childhood memories are
reflected in his writing. The word retarded and mental retardation was used
heavily in the 60s and 70s when Henry was growing up. The word obviously
evolved into an insult because of the way our society used the word. I'm
not trying to justify the use of the word in a book, but let's be honest in
saying there are many books that have inappropriate language because you
could say they are "keeping it real." Kids talk with inappropriate language
all the time. If characters only said "nice" words then the writing would
not reflect the true character of humans, which we know are not always kind
and politically correct. Just look at one of our presidential candidates.

On Wed, Aug 10, 2016 at 10:22 AM, Email list for the Illinois School
Library Media Association <islma at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:

> Agreed on the censorship aspect. It's a fine line to walk. We need to make
> sure we advocate for literature rather than judge and pull so quickly.
> Whether or not we agree with the statement. Plus, to pull without having
> read the book? That goes against everything ALA stands for.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Aug 9, 2016, at 10:16 PM, Email list for the Illinois School Library
> Media Association <islma at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:
>
> You might also need to pull the My Weird School books as well.  On his
> Facebook page, Dan frequently shares irate letters he receives from parents
> about his use of the word "stupid" as well as other things he writes about
> (a negative attitude towards school, namely).  If I am booktalking one of
> his books to a parent, I would probably mention that they are irreverent
> and let the parent decide if they want their child to read it (and they can
> always let me know they don't want their child reading it),  but to pull
> the books would be censoring language that is not obscene and making that
> decision for every child and every parent. We would end up taking out a lot
> of materials kids love to read if we applied that standard of "correctness".
>
> On Tue, Aug 9, 2016 at 8:58 PM, 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
>> (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> 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> 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> 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
>>>>
>>>> *Latest Read:*
>>>> *Children's: Fish in a Tree - Hunt*
>>>> *Nonfiction: Behind the Beautiful Forevers - Boo*
>>>> *Fiction: I'm Thinking of Ending Things - Reid*
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> *www.noshushingallowed.com <http://www.noshushingallowed.com>*
>>>>
>>>> Instagram: @forestlibrary
>>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Ms. Pamela L. Meiser
>>> *Library Information Teacher*
>>>
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>>>
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>>
>>
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>
>
>
> --
> Kathleen M. Kerner, M.L.S.
>
> Library Information Specialist
> Walden Elementary School
> Deerfield Public Schools District #109
> 630 Essex Ct.
> Deerfield, IL 60015
> (847) 945-9660 x 3136
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-- 
Diane Kispert
LRC Director
H. C. Storm Elementary School
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