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Librarians, as a whole, have many charms. But apparently indulging in a serious form of discourse online isn't one of them.
... one thing I greatly admire about my librarian colleagues is how vastly open minded a group they are. They are widely accepting of new ideas, and welcome into the discussion anyone who is willing to share their thoughts. But perhaps we have become too welcoming, too complacent to remember that we share a responsibility to take our profession forward through intellectual discourse.
A wise piece. Author Steven Bell talks about our reluctance to seriously discuss both sides of a given issue online. He cites as an example Michael Gorman's
2005 criticism of bloggers and how no one had the wherewithal/guts to take the man's side. This, in turn, reminded me of the very beginnings of the
LM_Net scrotum kerfuffle when the librarians on that particular listserv spoke against the Newbery Award winning book and very few were inclined to take a pro-
Higher Power of Lucky viewpoint.
Publisher's Weekly saw the dissent and the lack of defense and reported accordingly. Not a perfect analogy, but similar enough I think.
Just when you thought it was safe to start bandying about the word "scrotum" again, flames are in the process of being fanned. First and foremost, this article came out in The Deseret News discussing The Higher Power of Lucky and the ensuing controversy. Then author Shannon Hale, hitherto a silent soul, decided to weigh in on her own. And since Ms. Hale is one of those authors who can write a posting and receive dozens of comments within mere seconds of her piece coming to light, I think her commentators are definitely worth reading (if you're not sick of the topic, of course).
One point that the Desert News writer makes, and that I had an unrelated conversation about just yesterday, is the idea that Short Sammy isn't the kind of fella who'd use the word "scrotum" in casual conversation. She feels it doesn't go along with his character. I couldn't disagree more. Think about it. Sammy's a rough n' tumble sort of feller, but when he goes to his AA Meetings he's in the presence of womenfolk. Plus, Sammy's been telling this tale over and over for a while now. He probably is using the term "scrotum" rather than "balls", "ballsack" or "twigs & berries" because the word "scrotum" IS more formal and clinical. The fact of the matter is that he's making a point about how awful it was that his dog got bit there and how painful it must have been. Seems to me the book would have had a whole different tenor if the word had instead been turned into "pain luggage" or "papa stork's bundle o' testes" (many thanks to David J. Schwartz for the terms).
Thanks too to Jen Robinson's Book Page for the link.
Yeah. I admit it. I got all overly persnickety when Carol Lay said in a recent Lucky Scrotum-related comic piece that said that "librarians everywhere" didn't want to include The Higher Power of Lucky in their collection.
The funny thing? I guess I wasn't the only one. Check it out.
Thanks to Big A little a for the link.
As you all know, I'm just a corporate shill for Big Newbery. Looks like S&S is pulling out all the steps for their baby. Do look at the video when you've a chance. I had no idea Maurice Sendak had put in his two cents regarding the Lucky Scrotum Kerfuffle.
SIMON & SCHUSTER CHILDREN’S PUBLISHING TO LAUNCH EXTENSIVE MULTI-PLATFORM NEWBERY CAMPAIGN FOR THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY
New York, NY, March 13, 2007 —Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing today announced a multi-platform marketing and publicity campaign for the 2007 Newbery medal winning THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY by Susan Patron and illustrated by Matt Phelan. The campaign kicks off with a brand new online video, featuring an interview of Susan Patron conducted by Cynthia Kadohata, author of the 2005 Newbery winning KIRA-KIRA, where Patron delivers a powerful message to kids about the importance of books.
Rick Richter, the President of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing provides an introductory statement to the video, touching on the recent controversy surrounding the book and the groundswell of support the book has received – widely ranging from authors like Maurice Sendak and Neil Gaiman to a New York Times editorial. This video will be distributed through a number of online channels to librarians, educators and bookstores, as well as having a presence on more consumer oriented sites like youtube, google video and simonsays.com. The following is a link to watch the video, click here .
Additionally, Susan Patron will be embarking on an extensive “Whistle-Stop-Newbery-Train Tour” later this spring with stops along the West Coast in markets like San Francisco , Seattle , Portland , San Diego , and Los Angeles . She will be making appearances at a variety of bookstores, schools, and libraries. Simon & Schuster will also be hosting a Hospitality Suite at this summer’s annual ALA, with the theme being “In Support of Every Word” to thank librarians and authors who have spoken out in support of this book. And store accounts will also have the opportunity to sell this year’s Newbery winner with a 9 copy floor display, which will be releasing later this spring. “We really wanted to shake things up a bit and do some innovative online and grass roots marketing with THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY,” says Rick Richter, President of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
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FYI, sweetcheeks. The official image of the Lucky Scrotum Kerfuffle is now available for purchase through a Cafepress website originated by The Disco Mermaids. I was a little sad to see that spaghetti strap shirts aren't offered (those of us without breasts are very partial to that form of clothing) but at least there's something called the Newbery Jewels Classic Thong. That, in and of itself, is amusing enough for a gander. All money is going to the Friends of the San Luis Obispo Public Library which will allow you to look snazzy AND gain some sweet sweet karma on the side. Slick.
And the winner of the Best Image to Come Out of the 2007 Newbery Award Debacle goes to . . . . .
THE DISCO MERMAIDS!!!
Get me a t-shirt of this. Stat! And I insist that you all go over to
their site and give true voice to your admiration. Now. Go. Shoo.
FYI, happy campers. You may have noted that the School Library Journal website has gotten a bit of an upgrade. Now on the right side of their website are four blogs that discuss various kidlittish topics. You've got your Bowllan's Blog (Amy Bowllan, The Hewitt School, New York), your Practically Paradise (Diane Chen, Librarian, Hickman Elementary School, Nashville, Tennessee), Brian Unbound (Brian Kenney, Editor in Chief), and Digital Reshift (Chris Harris, Coordinator, School Library System, Genesee Valley BOCES). Neat, huh?
Lots of good stuff there. I was particularly taken with hearing from Brian Kenney about the fantastic School Library Journal cover that just came out featuring Susan Patron. You guys saw this too, right?
Sorry I can't make it bigger. Says Brian, "I insisted that we get a dog in there!" Good stuff.
I am a bit of a fan of Carol Lay. Her work would appear in books of women cartoonists, and I thought her very fine and witty. She has, however, decided to weigh in on the Lucky debate with a scrotum-related comic strip and . . . well, check it out for yourself.
Yeah, I'm with Kelly on this one. Aside from the basic assumption made that "librarians everywhere erupted with righteous indignation" (does no one remember that librarians wrote and picked the book for the Newbery too?) it just gets its stereotypes all mixed up. We like bags now? Maybe totes, but even that's pushing it. I do, however, appreciate the image of the dog. Someone turn THAT into a t-shirt.
Thanks to Kelly at Big A little a for the link.
I just remembered this today. Once upon a time, roughly 2 and a half weeks ago, there was an article that I commented on entitled 2007 Newbery winners follow familiar themes. I would just like to point out my supreme amusement at this statement regarding The Higher Power of Lucky which once raised my ire, and now strikes me as quaint:
The Newbery selection committee is instructed not to look to the past, not to look to the accomplishments of authors, and not to judge current fiction by past benchmarks. That said, the 2007 committee has made a solid but safe selection, one that turns away from the bold choices of past years.
Oh yeah? Who's bold now then? Eh? Eh? Ha ha ha!
Neil Gaiman dipped his poisoned pen in the well of thoughts circulating about the now sleeping debate surrounding the Lucky scrotum. Recently he reprinted what might be one of the finest comments on the topics.
This librarian?
Bow before her. Now. And then send kisses and flowers to the Seville Community Library of the Medina County District Library System. No one should have to put up with what they went through. Sheltered and protected in my little New York Library bubble I often forget what the librarians of America sometimes have to put up with. This woman deserves chocolate.
2007 Newbery honorees Jennifer Holm, Cynthia Lord, and Kirby Larson have banded together to offer their support to their winner. On each of their sites you will find the following statement:
As the Newbery Honor recipients we wanted to share our feelings on the current Newbery discussions. We are delighted and honored to be in the wonderful company of Susan Patron and her incredible book, The Higher Power of Lucky. We support her creative vision and hope that the present controversy will not overshadow her remarkable achievement. Readers everywhere, young and old, are truly lucky to have such a book in their schools, libraries, stores, and in the world.
• Jennifer Holm, author of the 2007 Newbery Honor Book, Penny From Heaven (Random House Books for Young Readers)
• Kirby Larson, author of the 2007 Newbery Honor Book, Hattie Big Sky (Delacorte Press)
• Cynthia Lord, author of the 2007 Newbery Honor Book, Rules (Scholastic Press)
You know what that is, folks? That's class. Pure unadulterated class.
The L.A. Times then has an article on how Ms. Patron is getting the last laugh. Apparently Lucky is doing mighty well money-wise. I wouldn't mind seeing some stats on past Newbery winners and how well they sold as well.
And this amazing Kerfuffle Analysis of Scrotumgate in its entirety is available for viewing on Pixie Stix Kids. Its superior analysis is due, in part, to the clever use of charts and graphs. For example:
Monica Edinger has summed up the Great Scrotum Debate of '07 with a post that takes into account children's reactions. If you're not sick of this topic by now (and with a name like "scrotum" how could you be?) head on over and take a look-see.
Mediabistro did a great round-up as well, showing how many of the librarians quoted in the original New York Times piece are doing some serious backpedaling in terms of whether or not they'd purchase the book. I like that Ron Hogan knows his Newbery winners. Frisby Forever!
Oh. And extra ballsy points going out to Kane/Miller Publishers. Taking advantage of the state of the world today, they've had the wherewithal to post a review of their own book Lucky which just happens to be about..... a dog. No scrotums that I can see, but note the position of the dog's rear. If anyone wanted to inspect it, they'd be more than able.
Nothing inspires the soul like a finely honed sense of indignation. Last Friday a Jo Knowles offered the following challenge: "Send me your scrotum poems! Or better yet, post them on your own blogs! Come on, you know you want to! Let's (figuratively) embrace the scrotum! Show the librarians and teachers who will use the book that we support them, and maybe inspire those who are on the fence to take a risk." I've mentioned in the past that poetry ain't my bag, baby. But that isn't to say I haven't heard a good one here and there.
The first is your haiku of the day:
The dog's glistening
scrotum a big Newbery problem
for small minds.
- Ed Cutler
From the child_lit listserv:
Two of my sons are home from school due to the holiday. One is 12 and the other is 7. I asked them if they would giggle if they heard their teacher read the word "scrotum" in a book. They both started giggling, and I asked the younger one if he knew what it meant, and he started singing, lustily, to the tune of the "Comet" parody:
"Scrotum; it is a piece of skin
Scrotum; it holds your testes in
Scrotum; don't overload'em
Or your scrotum will surely explodum."
And if that STILL isn't enough for you then I give you this
from the Blue Rose Girls' Elaine MagliaroBOOK TALK 2007: A Poem
Dressed in uniforms of blue,
The word police arrived at two.
With laser eyes, they scanned our pages
And locked our naughty words in cages.
Then up we cried: “You’ve taken text!
Will you remove our pictures next?”
“Your pictures?” one policeman said.
“We only take the stuff that’s read.
Your naughty words must be excised.
Let all your authors be advised
To watch their words when they compose
Their poetry…and all their prose.”
Warning given…the men in blue
Then turned to leave. They bid adieu.
We books now left with words deleted
Feel somehow, sadly, incompleted.
Who’s got a solution antidotal
For the current row o’er something scrotal?
Ordering starts here.
I'm going to preface this by saying that I depressed myself all day when I discovered that we came THIS close to calling this subject The Great Scrotum Debate of '08. We almost got there, people. Oh lackaday, lackaday.
So here's something to cheer me up then. Both Julius Lester and Neil Gaiman have chosen to weigh in on the topic on their sites. Mr. Lester quotes Aldous Huxley with a stirring, “God is even in one’s own posterior when at last one has crawled full circle and seen it revealed in its full glory.” Gaiman, for his part, says, "I've decided that librarians who would decline to have a Newbery book in their libraries because they don't like the word scrotum are probably not real librarians (whom I still love unconditionally). I think they're rogue librarians who have gone over to the dark side." Amen, brother.
Gelf Magazine's motto is "Looking Over the Overlooked". Qualification enough for their recent piece Youth Literature Is Full of Scrotums, it seems. It's a response to the librarian quotedin the recent New York Times article who sniffed that scrotums have no place in children's literature. Trust Gelf to prove her wrong.
Now calling some of these books "Youth Literature" comes as a bit of a stretch, but I admire their tenacity. A box of chocolates to the poor intern who must have been despatched to the local library to scout out any and all books in which that word might appear (and for the librarian who would have helped).
As for the debate that rages on, I feel that a recent Onion article on a related topic ties in beautifully.
Thanks to Kids Lit for the first link and Bookninja for the second.
It's actually the Deseret News, out of Salt Lake City, UT, which is a very conservative part of our nation, where many people, Shannon Hale included, have something in common with Mit Romney.
That being said, it took balls for Shannon Hale to say what she said.
Ah, sweet spelling mistakes. How I revel in them.
Thanks for that. I appear to have a chronic inability to ever say the name of a newspaper correctly. Off to correct...
To whoever left that first post: Thanks for the sweeping generalizations!
Not to be too picky, but it really has to be "twig & berries", unless Sammy has some serious problems with his junk. Which I guess he might - haven't read it yet.