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Take Action Against Censorship

If you haven't submitted a comment yet on MO's proposed book ban law, the Missouri Library Association has a simple form to fill out that will submit a comment for you  http://molib.org/advocacy/

Read on to learn more about this proposed law and it’s impacts on libraries

The rule proposed by the Missouri Secretary of State directly impacts what libraries are allowed to purchase and display in their collections. If implemented, it will create additional costs to library services at the local level, and impede your ability to access resources paid for by your tax dollars. For many libraries, funding controlled by the state library is crucial to ensure that their doors stay open, and is necessary to provide access to materials and programs that benefit your community.

This proposed rule also requires librarians to enforce the standards of individual parents and guardians. MLA believes it is the responsibility and right of parents or guardians to choose what is appropriate for their own children, but for one individual or group to make those decisions for every family is inappropriate, and a violation of other parents’ rights.

We encourage you to read the details of the proposed rule to be fully informed on what restrictions this rule would require. The public comment period is open to everyone and starts November 15, 2022. We urge you to write (or call) the Secretary of State’s office, or to use the comment letter written by MLA. If using the letter, feel free to edit and modify the language to represent your views and concerns, and make your voice heard! Key points include:

What financial costs would be associated with implementing and maintaining any portion of this rule?

How will the costs and/or diminished services affect your customers and community?

(Rule point B) What services would be diminished or stopped entirely by this rule? With no funds allocated beyond materials appropriate for minors, can anything for adults be purchased?

(Rule point C) Can minors use public libraries without parents present with this rule in place? Could a teenager visit the library to study after school, and could a librarian help them find research material without a parent there to confirm each item is approved?

(Rule point D & E) Who determines what is appropriate? Challenges to children’s books include anything with magic, talking animals, LGBTQ+ characters, race, and far more.

(Rule points A & F) Policies for collection development and for challenging materials already exist, and can be found on library websites. What does this rule hope to accomplish beyond being a political statement?

Public comments may be mailed to the Office of the Missouri Secretary of State PO Box 1767, Jefferson City, MO 65109 or emailed to comments@sos.mo.gov. To be considered, all comments to the proposed rule must be received during the comment period of November 15, 2022 to December 15, 2022 and must include “15 CSR 30-200.015” in the subject line.

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Public comment period has opened for proposed vague Missouri Book Ban Law

Comment period has opened for the proposed vague MO law that would allow anyone to challenge access to books and undermines the professional judgment of librarians.

Libraries that do not comply will lose funding, which will lead to their likely closure.

MO Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft said he did not have a librarian or a library representative help with drafting the proposed rule. He said the policy was inspired by conversations he had across the state with Missourians and librarians about book challenges.Utterly appalling.

If you are a MO resident you have thirty days from Nov 15th to write or email to comment on this proposed law.  

Comments may be submitted to the Secretary of State’s office via email at comments@sos.mo.gov or by traditional mail to Office of the Missouri Secretary of State, P.O. Box 1767, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

Comments submitted via email must include “15 CSR 30-200.015” in the subject line https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/comment-period-opens-on-missouri-secretary-of-state-s-book-ban-proposal

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Tell Missouri School Boards and Districts to Reverse Overzealous Book Bans

There has been a massive purge of books with visual depictions in Missouri since August. You can view a full list of known books that have been pulled here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AVW8q-B4uSZIJ3mLqc5tY8DZyojI1KLIVBQzSCb7lbg

Sign PEN America’s open letter to Missouri School Districts who have overzealously reacted to the new law here:

https://actionnetwork.org/forms/tell-missouri-schools-to-reverse-overzealous-book-bans

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Getting back on here

This blog was originally created for a course I was taking during my Master’s degree program. The focus was on teen book recommendations and things of the sort. So all posts previous to this one were for that course. I kinda wanna leave them up, for nostalgia, and to not have an empty tumblr lol.

But I think I’ll try having a librarian tumblr. I’ll still be sharing interests and hobby stuff here, since I do that on Twitter and it seems fine.

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Genre Pick: Graphic Novel: Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

Johnson, M., Parrott, R., & Charm, D. (2016). Star Trek: Starfleet Academy(Vol. 1). San Diego, CA: IDW Publishing, a division of Idea and Design Works, LLC.

ISBN: 978-1631406638 (paperback) $19.99

Star Trek: Starflleet Academy follows young T'Laan, is a Vulcan engineering student. If you’ve seen the newer Star Trek Movies you will recognize some of the characters who make appearances in this comic. This comic also takes place after the destruction of the Vulcan home world in the first Star Trek movie.

 T’Laan is considering leaving Starfleet in order to join her people on New Vulcan. Her professor convinces her to join a team competition celebrating the 100th anniversary of Starfleet Academy. The Starfleet Academy team will be competing with teams from other schools off planet, all representing different organizations of students.  With her teammates, including two human women of colour, an Andorian man and a Monchezkin man, T'Laan competes in challenges. She also struggles with understanding human social interactions, and expectations. 

There is a second storyline that takes place in the comic as well, that flows with T’Laan’s story. Uhura is attempting to solve a mystery and ends up involving Kirk, Chekov, and Spock. 

Fans of the Star Trek Universe will enjoy this fun comic that explores cadet life at the Starfleet Academy. 

Awards and recognition: N/A

If you enjoy adventures in space there are many books out there that fit that genre. Listopia has one title YA Best Books Based in Space. These lists are created and curated by Goodreads users, but they are often filled with excellent suggestions. 

The Star Trek Universe is further explored beyond the books, if you’re a fan. There is the Star Trek Online MMORPG game. Free to play. I mean that too. There is not a need, ever, to purchase anything in this game. And you can really delve into different parts of the Star Trek timelines. You can download the game via Steam if you already have an account there. 

The 2018 Emmys had a wonderful tribute to Star Trek, presented by Bill Nye. 

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Genre Pick: Graphic Novel: Spill Zone

Westerfeld, S. (2017). Spill zone. New York, NY: First Second.

978-1-59643-936-8 (hardcover) $22.99

Addison Merrick ignores all warning signs, all do not enter barriers, and lies to the military who are there to stop people from doing exactly what she is. Entering the spill zone. Three years ago, the spill zone suddenly appeared. It wiped out Addison’s hometown, leaving her and her younger sister orphans. The spill zone left her younger sister mute and took her parents from her. Addison must find out what happened.

The spill zone is a dangerous place. Every photograph is a risky move that could potentially cost Addison her life. What Addison photographs inside the zone is difficult to believe, and many things Addison sees there are unlike any living creature she’s ever seen before. Impossible things happen in the spill zone, and Addison has developed her own set of rules in order to survive there.

Her photographs earn her money to care for her sister, and each trip she risks there is the potential of her learning something new. However, the spill zone is not easily thwarted, and there are many secrets surrounding it to the discovered. Addison is determined, but is her determination enough? This eerie sci-fi thriller is bound to keep you on the edge of your seat as you learn what happened in the Spill Zone. 

Awards and recognitions: 

Excellence in Graphic Literature (EGL) Book of the Year Award

Scott Westerfeld is a master of science fiction. If you’re interested in reading more of his books you can find a full list of them on Good Reads. 

Have you ever read a book and afterwards you want more of the same? 

There’s not another book in the series, but you’re not ready to move onto something completely different? There are read-alike websites out there designed to help you find a book similar to that one you just finished and are still craving more of.

Good Reads also has a section where you can see a list of books like Spill Zone. These books are based on books people liked who also enjoyed reading Spill Zone, that may help you decide your next book to read. 

You should check your local library’s website and see if they have access to Novelist - a book recommendation website. You can enter in any title and the site will pull of a list of similar books. Most libraries require you to access the site using your library card. 

Your library doesn’t provide access to Novelist? Don’t have a library card yet, but you need a book rec NOW? You can check out the website What should I read Next? This site bases its recommendations off of readers lists of similar books. Not every book is on this site, but it is often a good place to start. 

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Genre Pick: Graphic Novel: Rise of the Dungeon Master

Kushner, D. (2017). Rise of the dungeon master: Gary Gygax and the creation of D&D. New York: Nation Books.

ISBN: 978-1-56858-559-8 (paperback) $16.99

“You are Gary Gynax. You are at home in lake Geneva, WI, busy creating the game that will become your greatest legacy: Dungeons & Dragons.”

Dungeons & Dragons, abbreviated at D&D or DnD, is a fantasy tabletop roleplaying game that was created by Gary Gygax. This graphic novel covers Gary and his companions as they strive to create the best fantasy roleplaying game. 

After the game’s launch, and its rise to popularity there was a scare in the 80′s when many parents feared that D&D was a cult their children were joining.  Drama encapsulated Gary as he fought in court against his co-creator Dave Arneson. 

Dungeons & Dragons is practically a household name today, with its popularity having a direct impact on American Culture. You can easily find games to join at any comics store, as well as websites online created for the purpose of helping people join games. Now you can join Gary on his adventure of the Rise of the Dungeon Master. 

Awards and recognition: N/A

Getting into D&D can be intimidating at first. There are books upon books full of rules and information. Plus the aspect of roleplaying a character you created can be a bit intimidating.  Fortunately there are a ton of excellent podcasts out there you can listen to. These podcasts may be discussions about D&D and other roleplaying games, or they might even be recordings of players going through a storyline. 

If you’re interested in experiencing D&D, but can’t play a game right not you should give one of these 15 Best D&D podcasts a listen to! 

I can tell you that Critical Role and Dragon Talk are some of the most popular and well known podcasts of this genre. 

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Genre Pick: Graphic Novel: The Unwanted

Brown, D. (2018). The unwanted: Stories of the Syrian refugees. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

ISBN: 978-1-328-81015-1 (hardcover) $18.99

Heartbreak and horror engulf Syria as war wages against the rule of the President. Bashar al-Assad. Massacres decimate the population, bombs rain down on the cities, and families find themselves with nothing left. 

People begin leaving Syria, refugees, seeking safety from their own home country. Many places do no want refugees. Many countries don’t want the financial responsibility of caring for people who are not their responsibility. Many countries’ citizens view the refugees as pests. 

These refugees are unwanted, but they must do what they can to survive. Going back is not an option for them. 

Families are separated in hopes that one day they will be reunited. Many refugees never make it to another country, as their methods of travel are rarely ever safe. 

This story, written and illustrated by Don Brown, captures the tragedies Syrian refugees face, as well as their courage and perseverance as they hope to one day be able to return home. 

Awards and recognition: N/A

You can view a 19 minute documentary, Welcome to Canada, following the story of  Mohammed Alsaleh, a young Syrian refugee granted asylum in Canada in 2014 on PBS.

The Choices Program also has a video you can watch, titled, What are refugees and internally displaced persons? This video is meant to increase one’s understanding of exactly how a refugee is defined. 

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Genre Pick: Graphic Novel: Darth Maul: Son of Dathomir

Barlow, J., & Frigeri, J. (2017). Star Wars Darth Maul: Son of Dathomir. New York: Marvel Worldwide.

ISBN: 978-1-302-90846-1 (paperback) $15.99

Darth Maul, the former Sith Apprentice of Darth Sidious, survived his confrontation with Obi-Wan. He was saved from madness by a witch from Dathomir, Mother Talzin. After his recovery he has managed to create his own underworld empire. The strength of his criminal regime has garnered the attention of Darth Sidious who sends Count Dooku and General Grievous after him.  

Maul is rescued from a prison cell by Mandalorians who are loyal to him and his cause. Afterwards he must fight to retain all he has worked for, and schemes with Mother Talzin to strike back at Darth Sidious.

What is Darth Sidious’ interest in Mother Talzin and Darth Maul? What does he hope to gain beyond Maul’s crime lords? This confrontation of two different sides of the Dark Side shows that Darth Maul is the Son of Dathomir.

Awards and recognitions: N/A

Since Disney bought the Star Wars franchise the old extended universe has been rebooted. Oftentimes it is still difficult to try and figure out what materials are part of the current canon and what is old canon. 

Canon Killer Base has compiled all current Star Wars materials and organized it in an easy to track manner. That way you can explore the entirety of the Star Wars universe and keep your story lines straight. 

You can track your progress through the materials, in every format, such as comics, movies, books, TV shows, and games.  Don’t know the difference between Canon and Legends? Canon Killer Base can help you sort that out. So if you’re interested in exploring the Star Wars universe more - go check it out. 

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Genre Pick: Graphic Novel: Junji Ito’s Cat Diary

Itō, J., & Paul, S. (2015). Junji Itos cat diary: Yon & Mu. New York: Kodansha Comics.

ISBN: 978-1-63236-197-4 (paperback) $10.99

Junji Ito is master of horror manga. In this book he chronicles his life living in his new home with his lovely fiancé and her cats, Yon and Mu. This is a regular slice of life story drawn in a horror style and told as if it’s a ghost story. 

Junji’s fiancé asks him if he is a cat person or a dog person. He answers that he is a hamster person, but he truly prefers dogs. His fiancé brings Yon home from her parents one day and Junji realizes that Yon is cursed! Yon has a ghostly image in his fur pattern on his back and has a creepy face. 

His fiancé decides to adopt a second cat, so Yon won’t be lonely. Enter Mu, a Norwegian forest cat. Junji Ito documents his story of him adapting his lifestyle and learning to live with the gentle and placid Mu, and the weird-faced Yon.

Awards and recognitions: N/A

If you enjoy horror manga, Book Riot has put together a list of 12 Horror Manga to Terrify You All year Long.

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Genre Pick: Graphic Novels: That Blue Sky Feeling

Okura, & Hashii, C. (2018). That blue sky feeling (Vol. 1). San Francisco, CA: VIZ Media LLC.

ISBN: 978-1-9747-0160-5 (paperback) $10.99

Noshiro just recently transferred schools and has an easy time making friends. However, he keeps noticing one classmate, Sanada is always by himself. Noshiro discovers this is because of a rumor that Sanada is gay. This doesn’t dissuade Noshiro from deciding he wants to make Sanada smile and be his friend.

Noshiro doesn’t really know what it means to like someone. Boyfriends, girlfriends, going out, he’s never thought about it or worried about it. Until he met Sanada. This is a sweet story about a high schooler’s first love, and how you don’t get to choose who you like. Sometimes a friendship turns into something more. As Noshiro pursues Sanada and attempts to become his friend maybe he will discover “That Blue Sky Feeling”.

Awards and recognitions: N/A

Want some more LGBT Themed Graphic novels to read: Check this list by Book Riot out!

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Genre Pick: Graphic Novels: Your Lie in April

Arakawa, N. (2015). Your lie in April (Vol. 1). New York, NY: Kodansha Comics.

ISBN: 978-1-63236-171-4 (paperback) $10.99

“You fall in love with food. You fall in love with the little things that happen every day. You fall in love with the violin. You fall in love with music. Maybe that’s why you shine so brightly.”

Kosei Arima used to play the piano. He was a child prodigy until his taskmaster mother died. Kosei abandoned the piano and lives what he feels is a bland colorless life. Kosei was completely unprepared to meet Kaori Miyazono, a violinist whose style is completely different. Kaori has a crush on Kosei’s friend Watari, so Kosei and his friend Tsubaki are helping her get closer to him. But Kaori is having a different impact on Kosei than he expected.  

This musical story is one of love and loss that will leave you wondering if Kaori will be successful in bringing Kosei back to from his colorless world. Your Lie in April will be a novel you can’t put down, and as soon as you finish the first book you’ll want to immediately devour the next in the series.

Awards and recognitions:

The manga won the award for Best Shōnen Manga at the 37th Kodansha Manga Awards. It was nominated for the 5th Manga Taishō.

The anime adaptation was the winner of the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper's 2016 Sugoi Japan Awards

This manga has received an anime adaption, a live action film, and a stage play. 

 You can watch a clip from the anime that clearly shows Kaori’s unorthodox playing style on youtube, Make sure to click on CC for the subtitles (They are accurate on this video). 

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Science Fiction: Steampunk!

Grant, G. J., & Link, K. (Eds.). (2011). Steampunk!: An anthology of fantastically rich and strange stories. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

ISBN: 978-0-7636-4843-5 (hardback) $22.99

Steampunk is an anthology consisting of twelve short stories and two comics. All the stories in this anthology fall under the steampunk genre, while showcasing a wide variety of ways steampunk can exist. The authors who contributed to this anthology are well known names such as Cassandra Clare, Cory Doctorow, M.T. Anderson, Holly Black, and more.

The steampunk genre is defined by steam-powered machines, gaslit alleys, an almost Victorian feel of dressing. Steampunk can be science fiction or fantasy and these stories showcase that. They don’t always stick the straight forward steampunk feel, instead the authors choose to define the genre in their own way, taking you worlds with clockwork insects, time travel, robots, steampunk fairies, mad inventors, child mechanics and more.

Even more fascinating is that none of these stories take place in Victorian England. Travel to Canada, New Zealand, Wales, Ancient Rome, an alternate California, a futuristic Australia and beyond. All sorts of fantastic stories are to be discovered in Steampunk!

Awards and Recognitions:

Shirley Jackson Award

Locus Awards for Science Fiction finalist

ABA Indies Choice Awards finalist

If you’re into Steampunk and want some more, but not necessarily books. PlayerFM put together a list of what they deem the Best Steampunk Podcasts for 2018. Check it out!

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Graphic Novel: One Punch Man Vol. 1

One. (2015). One-punch man(Vol. 1). San Francisco, CA: VIZ Media, LLC.

ISBN: 978-1-4215-8564-2 (paperback) $9.99

Saitama is a man who became a hero for fun. Which might seem like a lame backstory at first. But nothing about Saitama seems very hero-like at first either. His face is rather lifeless, he is completely bald, and has a very unimposing appearance. However, Saitama did a very difficult but rather straight forward training program when he made the decision to become a hero. Now he can’t seem to find a villain who is strong enough. All it takes is one punch to him to take down his enemies. [Open book and pass around to show artwork]

During his everyday routine he acquires a disciple named Genos. Genos is cyborg fighting for justice who wants to become stronger. Saitama reluctantly takes Genos on, but still searches to find a villain who can match him.

Awards and recognitions:

New York Times Manga Best Sellers list Nominated for an Eisner Award in 2015 2nd place Sugoi Japan Award

If you’re curious as to exactly how action packed this manga is, you should watch the opening for the record breaking Anime (There’s a rumor the anime is getting a season 2!).

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Multicultural: American Born Chinese

Yang, G. L. (2006). American born Chinese. New York, NY: First Second.

ISBN: 1-59643-152-0 (paperback) $16.95

American Born Chinese covers the stories of three characters. The first is the story of the Monkey King. Who is adored by all his subjects and a master of kung-fu. The Monkey King attends a party of the Gods, or he attempts to. He isn’t let in because he isn’t a god! He’s a monkey, he smells like a monkey, and he doesn’t wear shoes. The Monkey King decides he is going to do whatever is necessary to become a God. Another character in the book is Jin Wang. His family recently moved and he is the only Chinese-American at his school. He just wants to make friends and fit in, but he is constantly bullied by his classmates. There is one other Asian in his class, whom he avoids due to rumors his classmates start that they are engaged via an arranged marriage.

The last character whose story is told is about a high schooler named Danny. His cousin Chin-Kee, who is the embodiment of every negative stereotype, comes to visit and just keeps ruining things for Danny.

[Open book and pass around] These three stories have quite the twist as they come to their conclusion at the end. These characters struggle to learn to accept themselves and those around them as they are rejected or embarrassed by who they are. Awards and recognitions:

Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, Harvey Award, American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults, YALSA Great Graphic Novel for Teens, National Book Awards Finalist, CYBIL Award, San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of the Year, NPR Holiday Pick, School Library Best Books of the Year, NYPL Books for the Teen Age, School Library Journal Best Books of the Year, Books for the Teen Age, Publisher's Weekly Comics Week Best Comic of the Year, Eisner Award Nominee, Amazon.com Best Graphic Novel of the Year, Library Media Editor's Choice, Booklist Top 10 Graphic Novel for Youth, Reuben Award Winner, Eisner Award Winner, ALA Best Books for Young Adults, Booklist Editors' Choice, Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books of the Year, YALSA Outstanding Books for the College Bound and Lifelong Learners, Chinese American Librarians Association Best Book Award, Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year, YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens, Michael L. Printz Award – Medal

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Street Lit: Upstate

Buckhanon, K. (2005). Upstate. New York: St. Martins Press.

ISBN: 0-312-33268-8 (hardback) $19.95

Upstate is a story told via letters between 17-year-old Antonio and his 16-year-old girlfriend, Natasha. They are writing to each other because Antonio is in jail, accused of killing his father. Antonio and Natasha write back and forth leading up to and through his trial. Antonio can’t write about what really happened because it could be used against him in court. Natasha writes about how horrible things have been on the outside, but they don’t lose hope. Until the trail starts and the Antonio gets angry during his testimony. He writes Natasha [Open book to page 60]:

“I told my lawyer that I didn’t want to take the chance. That I wanted to cop a plea. I’m scared Natasha. I know that you don’t think I get scared, that I put on this front for you and my boys. But I get scared too." "I’m gonna go ahead and take the plea. Involuntary manslaughter. 10 years. Upstate. It’s done.”

Natasha and Antonio continue to write each other over the next 10 years. Antonio does his best to stay alive in prison, while Natasha faces her own trials and life changing decisions on the outside. Often times they find themselves with only each other to turn to. As ten years pass, they wonder if they will ever be together.

The author, Kalisha Buckhanon has a youtube channel. You can follow her to stay updated on her books. She has a playlist of videos that are related to Upstate, such as audio excerpts, book talks, and fan videos. 

This video was posted on  Miss Fabularian’s channel for hypelit.com. 

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Chic Lit: Dork Diaries

Russell, R. R. (2009). Tales from a not-so-fabulous life. New York: Aladdin.

ISBN: 978-1-4169-8006-3 (hardback) $13.99

Nikki Maxwell is starting at a new snobby prep school called Westchester Country Day due to her Dad received a bug extermination country from the school. This school literally has a Starbucks in the cafeteria.

Nikki wants to make a good impression, she wants to make friends, be part of the cool kids’ group, but it seems as though nothing is going to go right for her at this school. To make matters even worse when she asked her Mom for a cell phone, because everyone has one, and it would help her make friends better her mom does the worst thing ever. She gives her a diary. Nikki is beyond angry at first, though she writes her feelings of receiving the diary, in the diary. [Open book to page 10]:

“Absolutely no one write their most intimate feelings and deep, dark secrets in a diary anymore!”

“You’re supposed to post this kind of juicy stuff online on your BLOG so MILLIONS can read it!!! Only a TOTAL DORK would be caught WRITING in a DIARY!! This is THE worst present I have ever received in my entire life!”

Nikki begins to document her days at school in the diary. She struggles having a locker next to the most popular, but also the meanest girl in the school, MacKenzie. She develops a crush on a boy in her class. She doodles art because she loves drawing. In the end it is rather fitting Nikki has a new diary for her new school, so she can spill all about her day somewhere.

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