By: Kayleen West.,
on 12/27/2007
One of my post starved readers prompted me today to add to my blog after a rather lengthy absence. So my subject today is balance. I have already made my new years resolution and that is for more balance in my life. How is this active minded woman going to achieve that? I guess it boils down to prioritising goals and priorities only achieved by actively sitting down and planning. This is my
By: Kelly Herold,
on 5/16/2007
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Via, Fuse #8, I am a daffodil. Apparently, I have a "sunny disposition and are normally one of the first to show up for the party." Funny, I never attend parties. But I do like daffodils, so I'll go with it.
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Okay, dear friends in the U.K. Can you please explain this Boys Bookshelf thing? Sarah Crown (and agencies) reports for the Guardian that your education secretary, Alan Johnson, "announced this morning that every state secondary school in England will be able to choose 20...titles in order to set up a dedicated 'boys' bookshelf' in the library." The list itself is quite good, but if I were a girl in the U.K., I'd be annoyed. What would be on a girl list, if such a thing will appear? I shudder to think.
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Friends of celebrity books will be glad to know that Elisabeth Hasselbeck will be "writing" her children's books as soon as her children's clothing line for Target is complete. Here's what she has to say: " I am working on a children's clothing line. There might be some onesies available at Target soon. And hopefully, we'll get some children's books out within the next year. I may be talking politics and celebrities on The View, but I am a designer and artist by nature."
You know, I may have to rethink my Target obsession...
I blogged about this Alan Johnson thing before... I had a hard time articulating exactly what was so... wrong about him saying that boys needed 'special books' that were more with it than Jane Austen. One, that assumes that all girls are alike, that is, 19th century-focused and girly. Not true. Two, that assumes that all boys are James Bond, and/or want to be, especially those "working class" boys that this is all about -- (apparently the upper crust need only go on doing what they're doing.) my problem is that I would want to read active spy books too - maybe in between my Austen books.
It's so great to have somebody, anybody pushing reading to kids - and to boys. But why is he trying so hard to divide and define boys, girls, their genders and needs here? Does he have another agenda?
This is the problem, TadMack: " I would want to read active spy books too - maybe in between my Austen books." Absolutely! If I were a pre- or teen girl in the U.K., I would be up in arms about this.
Why not simply say: "Our schools need new books. And here's an initiative, however paltry, to give 20 new books to each school. And here's a great list! Pick out your 20. Parents, maybe you'll pick one out to donate to your school too!"
I read he's running for PM, but I can't see how this would help him in the least.
So will girls feel like they CAN'T read books that are on the "boy shelf"?
Onsies coming soon?
Now THOSE are a designing challenge.
BACA, BACA, BACA.
Yikes - I was about to post a reply concerning the 'boys' bookshelf' earlier but didn't get the time. (I was sarcastically suggesting that perhaps he thinks the girls should just be glad they're allowed to read, which may have been too snarky!) I didn't get time to finish it but I just this minute heard a piece on BBC Radio 4's Front Row on the school librarian of the year award. Must say, I found the winner quite down and uninspiring myself, but maybe she was just nervous at being on the radio. Anyway, they talked about the list and the boys bookshelf and I was annoyed all over again that there was no questioning of the idea at all. All I could figure out is that Johnson might hope to be seen as taking helpful action while limiting the amount of money spent by thoughtful targeting. (I'm not saying this makes any sense, of course, but just trying to see how such a stupid idea could possibly seem one likely to encourage voters.)
You should be able to hear it (if you care to!) using the Listen Again option, shortly after the programme is over. Front Row. The piece was on about 20 minutes into the programme.
Hi there Kelly,
Speaking as an author who is honoured to be on the Books for Boys Reading list, I just wanted to put everyone right about what is actually going on here. Girls should feel proud. The UK Government and the Education authorities have long recognised that girls read an awful lot more than boys - especially teenage boys - and I know because I've got one. My son used to be a voracious reader until he hit 13 and then he didn't pick up a book(to read for pleasure) until he hit 16. Apparently this is the norm for boys in the UK. The electronic games console takes over their lives. The Books for Boys initiative is supposed to encourage boys to read by making sure that school libraries have suitably testosterone-laden offerings to whet their appetites. It by no means sends out a message to girls that they can't read those books but it is trying to tell school librarians that they should not overload their shelves with Babysitters Club and Princess Diaries books ( I don't mean to be simplistic but you get my drift.) Hope that has shone some light on the issue.
Lynn Brittney
I've given up trying to understand the British education system or the Govt's approach to literacy and reading, so I can't help (sorry!).
I must say if what Lynn says is true, they've picked some very non-testosterone-laden books for that list (Lady Friday, A Hat Full of Sky both spring immediately to mind).
As for Alan Johnson making PM - Pfft!
Well Alan J won't be PM, and I'm a Daffodil apparently - but I really wanted a "Not Applicable" option on several of those questions !!
I have my flower here:http://deowriter.blogspot.com/2007/05/what-flower-are-you.html
I cracks me up. I have to be so not a violet at school.