E-Book Review: Lenny Gray

I listened to this epic e-book during my commute in DMV traffic over a period of 10 days. I immediately got hooked on the rich character performances (all narrated by author Earl Sewell!) and the lush historical descriptions of life in rural Mississippi.  This says allot mainly because I’m not a ebook enthusiast.  The story and performances captured my attention so much so that I was enjoying my hour commute to/from work because I could escape into this story and characters. 

I don’t want to give away too many parts of the story because there are so many events that take place and you will definitely be surprised.   The story’s protagonist, Lenny Gray is pregnant and trapped in a loveless marriage while trying to learn who she is as a person and woman. Sewell describes vividly Lenny Gray’s struggle with her husband Curly and her, survival during disease, famine and devastating poverty.  As described by the book’s synopsis, Lenny Gray has known from an early age that she is meant to live a better life, but she is hemmed in by the limits imposed on women and particularly African-American women. Lenny Gray is a survivor and represents the resilient African-American women of that time who were tough and determined individuals who withstood the unspeakable.  It is these rich character traits that are often overlooked in historical fiction where African-American drive the story.  

Working in K-12 education as a school librarian for over 20 years, Lenny Gray is a book that I would recommend as a class novel read for my grades 8th-12th classes.   This book would be best used in ELA/English and U.S. History classes.   I would also recommend this book for collegiate African-American Studies or History courses because it provides an alternative view of life during this time but through the unique lens of an African-American.  

My hope is that publishing houses will recognize that African-Americans do want to read historical fiction books that feature their life experiences.   Hopefully this book, ‘Lenny Gray,’ will be the catalyst in advocating for change. 

Conversations at the Circulation Desk #5

The Audacious Librarian Blogspot

Conversations at the Circulation Desk #5 

My student Christine reviews, ‘Sideline’ by Jay C. Rehak.  She finished reading the book in two days, thumbs up!

National School Librarian Day

Happy National School Librarian Day to all my fellow #schoollibrarians in the struggle!  

Questions For Parents

Parents today marks the beginning of SCHOOL LIBRARY MONTH and I have a couple of questions for you:

- Is there a circulating school library collection AND certified school librarian at your child’s school?   

- Is that school librarian certified in Library Information Science?   

- How many books were circulated for student check out during the last three months?

- How much free access are student given each week to visit the library and check out books?

- Does the library collection reflect the diverse social, emotional interest and needs of the students?

I’m going to keep it as the kids say, ‘totally 100’ with you.   You will probably receive one of these excuses:

1.  Budget challenges, the librarian and or program is ‘too expensive,’ 

2. We have classroom libraries/accelerated reader, we don’t need a library,

3.  Computers are the future, we want our students to be computer savvy,

4.  We use popular lists, the books the staff members read that were popular will be good for these students we are teaching now!,

5.  We have someone in the library (teacher aides/clerks), the kids can go in there....(I always give the side-eye to this one....🤔)

Studies by Dr. Keith Curry Lance and Dr. Stephen Krashen will argue that schools with certified librarians and well stocked libraries have students who possess heightened life skills and perform better academically on standardized tests.  Moreover, students understand that libraries are a valuable resource and will continue to utilize throughout their collegiate and post-collegiate experience.  

So I ask you this question, do you want a ‘filler’ or a skilled professional instructing  your child?  When you attend that next LSC, PTA or current budget hearing held at your child’s school district board meeting, ask these questions and watch those administrators squirm.   Demand answers.....these are YOUR tax dollars! Transparency and justification should be a professional courtesy provided by the school district.  

....and tell’em Boss Librarian (K.C. Boyd) sent you! #kc_saidit

—————————————————-

IN THE STANDARDS remodeling process, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) reviewed Common Beliefs from earlier AASL Standards and official AASL position statements. These documents, and feedback collected from more than 1,300 school librarians and stakeholders nationally, provided AASL with a clear expression of the qualities of well-prepared learners, effective school librarians, and dynamic school libraries. The following Common Beliefs and summary descriptions were identified as central to the profession.

1. The school library is a unique and essential part of a learning community.

2. Qualified school librarians lead effective school libraries.

3. Learners should be prepared for college, career, and life.

4. Reading is the core of personal and academic competency.

5. Intellectual freedom is every learner’s right.

6. Information technologies must be appropriately integrated and equitably available.