<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
</head>
<body>
<div>
<div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" dir="ltr">
Hi Dawn,</div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" dir="ltr">
<br>
</div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" dir="ltr">
It's not too early to talk to ALA. I would also talk to your union and your principal or other building admin so they know what's out there. Parents cannot threaten you for doing your job. The principal can call that parent and inform them they support you
100%. Of course, if your admin won't do that, that's another later to the problem. ALA can help with talking points for all these people.</div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" dir="ltr">
<br>
</div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" dir="ltr">
I would speak to your building admin so they know this may come up from a parent to the BOE, so the BOE can be warned in advance. Pull all the reviews for the book that show the positive parts and the age ranges. You are there to represent all your students.
You didn't do anything wrong.</div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" dir="ltr">
<br>
</div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" dir="ltr">
Leah Gregory</div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" dir="ltr">
School Membership Coordinator</div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" dir="ltr">
Illinois Heartland Library System</div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" dir="ltr">
618-619-2069</div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" dir="ltr">
lgregory@illinoisheartland.org</div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" dir="ltr">
<br>
</div>
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" dir="ltr">
<br>
</div>
</div>
<div id="ms-outlook-mobile-signature">
<div><br>
</div>
Get <a href="https://aka.ms/o0ukef">Outlook for iOS</a></div>
</div>
<hr style="display:inline-block;width:98%" tabindex="-1">
<div id="divRplyFwdMsg" dir="ltr"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size:11pt" color="#000000"><b>From:</b> AISLE <aisle-bounces@list.railslibraries.info> on behalf of Dawn Scuderi via AISLE <aisle@list.railslibraries.info><br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, March 14, 2022 11:25:12 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> AISLE-Share: Association of Illinois School Library Educators discussion list <aisle@list.railslibraries.info><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Dawn Scuderi <scuderi.dawn@gmail.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [aisle] challenge to book and book talk</font>
<div> </div>
</div>
<div>
<div dir="ltr">Hi Everyone,
<div><br>
</div>
<div>So it is 11:00 at night and I can't sleep because over the last week I have 2 emails from angry parents about a very brief book talk I gave of "A High Five for Glenn Burke". </div>
<div>I am currently making my way through the Caudills and always tell the kids about current books that I am reading or have just finished. </div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>I mentioned the book, gave a very brief synopsis and had almost immediate backlash from one parent who emailed me and my administrator. They clearly shared their opinion that I had "violated" students by book talking a book that had a questioning character
and a gay baseball player. </div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Today I received an email from a second parent threatening to take issue with my Superintendent and School Board if I ever discuss, promote or display books of a racial, political or LGBTQ nature again. To ANY student.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>I am in a 7/8 building. </div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>We have a mission statement, collection development policy and challenge policy but they are not school board approved.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>These challenges seem to not just be about the books but about me personally. This evening I found out that the second parent posted about me on Facebook. </div>
<div> <br>
We have a board meeting on Wednesday. Do I go? Do you guys think this warrants a meeting with my union rep, a call to ALA? So far my admin has been supportive, but this is just
<b>so much</b>. </div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Book challenges are one thing, I feel like I can combat that. But this feels personal.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Suggestions? </div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Thanks for any help,<br>
Dawn</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div><br>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>