Bullying: Arguments promote information literacy

In Matters of Opinion: Bullying (Norwood House Press, 2016), Carla Mooney presents pro and con arguments for three issues connected with bullying:

“Has the Internet Made Bullying Worse?”, “Are Schools Doing Enough to Stop Bullying?” and “Should Bullying Be a Criminal Offense?”

This brief volume encourages students to critically examine arguments, focused around a topic that bears direct relevance to their school-going experience.

‘Ignore,’ ‘Unfollow’ and ‘Unfriend’

Was that upsetting post in your newsfeed simply motivated by carelessness, or was it a “clear and intentional” message of hate from one of your connections on Facebook? Does this person regularly act in ways that conflict with your values? The Cyberbullying Research Center offers its recommendations for managing Facebook connections during conflicted times — specifically when it’s best to just “Ignore” or “Unfollow” irritating posts and when “Ignore” and “Unfollow” simply aren’t enough and it’s time to “Unfriend.”

‘Malice in Ovenland, Vol. 1’

Lilly Brown, stuck at home for the summer while her friends are away on vacation, is left alone by her mother with a list of chores to get done over the weekend.

While trying to recover her earring from inside the oven, Lilly falls through a tunnel and arrives in an underground kingdom whose sentient beings, the “Oven Frites,” revere grease as a life-giving substance.

At the time of Lilly’s arrival, the kingdom is in crisis; its essential grease supply has ceased. (Above-ground, Lilly’s mother had replaced their fried-food diet with healthier fruits and vegetables.)

From start to finish, I had a lot of fun reading Malice in Ovenland, first volume in a graphic-novel series created by Micheline Hess (Rosarium Publishing, August 2016). It combines a fast-paced storyline, humorous details and entertaining characters.

I think young readers will be able to relate to Lilly as a strong and resourceful protagonist, and the icky, goopy details of a grease-revering kingdom seem sure to captivate their interest.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinion expressed is my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Children’s books that support diversity, ‘connection’ and engaging in ‘the work’

Pictures from seeds, created by children in ‘Religious Explorations’

My work in library “Readers Advisory” can surface any time, in any capacity. At the church where I work part-time as administrative coordinator for Religious Explorations, I was asked to identify children’s books that reflect the church’s mission: to “Embrace Diversity, Empower Connection, Engage in the Work.”

Sonoma County voters consider tax for library

In northern California, the Sonoma County Library has my solidarity as voters consider a 1/8-percent sales tax in the November election. As related by Christi Warren writing for the Press Democrat, the library commission unanimously voted to place the tax on the November ballot. Citing figures from library director Brett W. Lear, the article states that if voters approve the measure, it could add about $10 million annually to the library’s $17 million budget. This library supporter, formerly a volunteer in a three-county cooperative system between Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino County libraries, wishes it every success.