The Biblio Blogazine

One of the things I am proud of, and always will be, is the community of bloggers of which I am a member.

This community is made up of the most diverse individuals who I would have never met otherwise. Included in this group are readers, writers, critics, moms, dads – nearly every type of person: those of many races, beliefs, and opinions.

Among these are those I value the most: educators.

It is not an easy job, and sometimes not appreciated as much as they deserve.

Not long ago, I wrote an essay/commentary titled “A Canon Under Fire“. It was inspired by a situation that caused me to evaluate my own opinion on high school English curricula. Shortly thereafter, a discussion began on Twitter during which an English teacher, who is also a book blogger, brought up some excellent points and insights.

She followed up by leaving the following comment on that post. I reproduce it here, in its entirety (and with permission), as I wanted my readers to see an educator’s perspective.

Thank you Becky for your time and willingness to share. I applaud the work you do and the effort you make  to help your students in every way you know possibly how.  

(more…)

To understand literature, students must explore it by reading, thinking, and writing about it. According to the editors of Literature and Its Writers: A Compact Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama :

Through the weave of literary works and literary voices, students comprehend what a human enterprise literature is – the work of talented individuals like themselves. Not only do students explore what and how literature means – interpretation and analysis – but also two fundamental questions about it: How is it made, and how is it related to us?

“Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway, “I Like Guys” by David Sedaris (which is also a chapter in his book Naked), “Survivor Type” by Stephen King, and “The Crack Cocaine Diet” by Laura Lippman were four stories included on the reading list of an elective English course offered to upperclassmen at Campbell High School in Litchfield, New Hampshire.

They are no longer on that list.

After objections were made by a group of parents, which were then supported by the school’s superintendant, a school board meeting was called and the stories were pulled.

(more…)