[ISLMA-Share] Took by Mary Downing Hahn

[Email list for the Illinois School Library Media Association]

I read Took, and it is a good horror story, and I am no particular horror
fan.  Definitely creepy, but so are some of her other books. Do you have
Deep, dark, and Dangerous?  I will caution kids that her books are scary,
if their parents would not approve, if they are bothered by that, this is
not the book for you. Some kids jump for that, but Many at that point
determine they are not ready.  She used to be one of our favorite authors.
Not so much anymore.  I could make a case for not selecting it if it is not
a book that would Not appeal to your students, or if she is not an author
your kids like to read.  Not all things are censorship...nothing has the
right to be on anyone's shelf. Knowing your students and your community, is
this a book that would appeal? Would your readers read it? Do the reviews
support purchasing it?  Is it readily available elsewhere, in the public
library or through inter library loan for a student who asks for it?
These are all factors you can take into consideration.  My favorite line
is that a library should have something to offend everyone 😜

Good luck with your decision!



On Sunday, September 18, 2016, Email list for the Illinois School Library
Media Association <islma at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:

> We are having our scholastic book fair this week. One of the titles
> showcased in the flyer and on the DVD has me concerned enough to ask your
> help.
>
> The title is Took by Mary Downing Hahn
>
> It starts out with the father losing his job and moving the family to
> Virginia.  Once there, the children hear the story about Auntie, who is a
> witch, and her companion Bloody Bones from classmates. Both parents pull
> away from their children as depression sets in.
>
> Then the second grade girl is "took".
>
> The parents shut down completely, with the dad playing video games and
> drinking, while the mom smokes, drinks, and sleeps all day. The inference
> could be made that they are also under the witches spell, but that is never
> articulated.
>
> This is not a one time occurrence. The drinking, smoking, dirty ashtrays,
> etc is repeated time and again. There is also no explanation as to why the
> parents started acting that way other than their girl is missing.
>
> SPOILER ALERT
>
> The seventh grade boy eventually gets his sister back.
>
> My question- if I pull this book from my scholastic book cart am I
> censoring? My district had issues with Harry Potter, the hunger games, and
> legend to name a few.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Also, you may want to watch that DVD before you play it. The part with
> took scared many of my 3-5 students. The 6th graders loved it.
>
> Titlewave says the book is For grades 5-8. Amazon stated ages 10-13.
>
>
>
> Kathryn Green
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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
kkerner at dps109.org

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