Freedom to Read/Banned Book Week

Book 


Deenie by Judy Blume

Why it was banned


The main reason the book has been banned is the inappropriate themes geared toward adolescents. Some of the themes include masturbation and menstruation.

Brief Summary of the Book


This story is about a seventh grade girl named Deenie who at the demanding hand of her mother is being pushed to become a model. She cannot seem to book any jobs because of her slouching. When a gym teacher calls her into her office to tell her to go see a doctor, Deenie starts to freak out that something is really wrong with her. After several doctor visits, Deenie learns that she has adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The book goes through the trials and tribulations of her accepting her condition, getting fitted for a back brace which she will wear for the next four years, and dealing with her peers’ reaction to her new situation of wearing the brace every day.

My thoughts


First off, it was really nice to read a Judy Blume book again. I had read several growing up and always liked the straight-forwardness of her writing and the topics she wrote about. This book read almost like an information pamphlet; there really isn’t much in the way of flowery descriptions or really deep, emotionally-driven characters. But then again, this book is written for a younger age group and that’s not really Ms. Blume’s style.

I never really felt like there was anything in this book that was inappropriate for the age group that would be reading it. It deals with a lot of issues that junior high students would be going through, so it seemed pretty relevant to their daily lives. I like how Judy Blume never really shies away from uncomfortable declarations or character thoughts. An example of this was when Deenie sees a group of special needs children at her school and says, “I’m always scared Gena Courtney will see me and say something and I won’t know what to say back.” (p.19) I loved the honesty of that statement because the fear of interacting with people you are unsure of how to respond to is something young adults have to muddle through. Deenie and her classmates are at that age where they are finally becoming aware of the social status of their peers and what is accepted behavior to be deemed popular. This issue is also brought up again when Deenie interacts with Barbara. At first she calls the red patches on Barbara the “creeping crud” and tries her best to stay away. Only after feeling ostracized herself about her brace does Deenie see Barbara as a regular human. They even become friends at the end. It’s a nice little metaphor for showing that most things scare people because they don’t know much about them, but at the end of the day, we are all humans and we should all treat each other with love and respect.

The first glimpse at the masturbation topic seemed to kind of come out of nowhere with little to no transition into it. One minute Deenie was upset about something her parents had said and the next minute it’s about masturbating. “I have this special place and when I rub it I get a very nice feeling. I don’t know what it’s called or if anyone else has it but when I have trouble falling asleep, touching my special place helps a lot.” (p. 57) Again I can see where some teachers or parents might see this as inappropriate for their children to read, but these are the issues adolescents are having to deal with. Just because a parent is uncomfortable talking about these topics, doesn’t mean that it’s wrong for their children to seek out this information or be curious and have questions they need and want answered.

The talk about Deenie having her period was really not that big of a deal. Maybe that’s because I’m a girl and have to deal with it monthly, but I don’t know why the talk of mentration has everyone in an uproar. It’s not like girls can stop the fact that they get their periods every month. Why is everyone so ashamed of something that is just a biological function of the female body? I mean, do we get embarrassed when we talk about boys’ voices cracking when they go through puberty? No, of course not. It’s just something that happens as their bodies change, just like menstruation. If boys are reading this book and they think it’s gross to know about, then that’s on them. One day if they get married and have a wife and/or a daughter, they might have to deal with periods or the side effects of them. There really wasn’t too much talk about her period only that it was pretty sporadic since she first got it. After Deenie got her back brace, she was on the toilet and asked her sister to get her a pad because she got her period. Talking about my period with my female friends is a pretty common thing. It’s something that bonds us together because we all have to deal with it every month. It’s nice to talk to other girls and know that all the cramps and cravings are universal.  

Initially I can see why some parents/teachers may freak out about this book and wanted it banned but after I read it, there’s nothing inappropriate at all about anything written. Judy Blume has a wonderful way of discussing uncomfortable topics in a friendly and matter-of-fact manner. She explains topics like masturbation in ways that make it something to not be ashamed or embarrassed about, while stressing that it is a natural phenomenon that starts when you are going through puberty. Children are curious enough about their changing bodies, why not supply them with information that is accurate and resourceful; it’s better to gain knowledge from a credible and reliable source than hear false information from an older sibling or neighborhood kid.

When I was younger and just learning about sex, I would sit in the library with a stack of books on the topic and read them. I just wanted to know what it was all about and have all the facts straight. It saved me a lot of anxiety when I was going through puberty because I didn’t have to have all these unknowns and unanswered questions. My school was always really good about having health programs that discussed puberty and sex; most of what I initially learned was from those classes. I think those programs are great because kids trust their teachers and feel a little more comfortable asking them sensitive questions rather than their parents. I think children tend to be hesitant to ask their parents about sex because the parents may freak out and think the only reason their kid is asking about the topic is because they’re participating in the act. Sometimes kids are just curious, they are still constantly learning and discovering the big, wide world they’re a part of.

Overall, this is not a book I would think to ban in any library. I thought it conveyed sensitive topics with grace and factual information. It’s almost one of those books that should be a staple for young girls to read, just so they know they are not alone when they start masturbating and menstruating.  

On a side note, Deenie’s mom was a real pain in the butt throughout this book and it irked me every single time she had something to say. She was so overly dramatic and emotional, boarding on hysterical at times. I mean, Deenie ends up having scoliosis, a very treatable and non-life threatening condition. But the way her mom went on about it, you would have thought Deenie contracted some rare blood disease. I didn’t like her mom from the beginning mainly because she wanted Deenie to be a model and didn’t care if her daughter wasn’t into the idea; she didn’t want her child to waste her beautiful face.  The mother always said that Deenie was the pretty one and Helen had the brains. That kind of thinking is what was most inappropriate about this book. How dare a mother degrade her daughter (who is at a pivotal and extremely influential learning age) think that the only thing she is good at is being pretty and that Helen should work hard in school because she’s not going to get far in life based on her looks. All girls should be told that they are beautiful and smart just the way they are and that someone who is worth their time and love will think they are perfect just being themselves. This idea that you can only be pretty or smart has got to stop. I know this book was written in the 70s and times have changed a bit, but we are still dealing with this issue in some way or form today [end rant].

Comparative Analysis of Professional Journals

The American Archivist

• Intended audience: The main audience for the journal is any person interested in the theoretical and practical approaches and advancements of being a professional archivist. It also caters to people seeking information to bridge the gap between archivists and the users. It indulges any audience reader that wants to know about the social and cultural developments that affect preserved information and recorded knowledge and how best to maintain and create it all.
• Kinds of materials it publishes: The journal publishes research articles, book reviews, editorials, essays, in-depth perspective pieces, and case studies.
• Peer-reviewed and why this is important: Yes it is peer-reviewed. Peer review is important because it helps quality control the articles that are to be published in professional journals. Peer reviews help find errors or factually incorrect data and fix them before they are released to the public. Credible, impartial reviewers who have experience on the subject are the ones who do the reviews of the articles.
• Any characteristics I find of particular interest: I like that the online publications (except for the three most recent ones) are free to the public. It’s great that the information is not guarded or in need of a membership to explore the knowledge. I also really like how involved they are with maintaining knowledge and managing it in a way that allows others to participate in adding their own ideas, information, and suggestions. The publication is really focused on figuring out ways to make the future of archiving resourceful for students and the general population.

Information and Culture

• Intended audience: For scholars and professionals interested in the how information is used in our culture.
• Kinds of materials it publishes: It publishes peer-reviewed articles on the history of information on areas such as library, museum, and information science. They work to publish on a wide range of topics to help foster connections between historians, scholars, and theorists.  
• Peer-reviewed and why this is important: Yes it is peer-reviewed. Peer review is important because it helps quality control the articles that are to be published in professional journals. Peer reviews help find errors or factually incorrect data and fix them before they are released to the public. Credible, impartial reviewers who have experience on the subject are the ones who do the reviews of the articles.
• Any characteristics I find of particular interest: I found the articles in this journal’s various publications really interesting. There were more than a handful of titles that got my attention. This journal seems to be focused on the impacts of information in our culture. I love the sociology and psychology of human behavior, so seeing how information affects and shapes our culture is fascinating to me.

The similarities between these two journals had to do a lot with information. American Archivists dealt more with how to preserve and manage the information we already have while Information and Culture focuses more on that information informs and directs our culture. They both are peer-reviewed which I think is great. Peer review leads to actuate and non-biased pieces that help non-professionals and professionals obtain accurate information to further the study of LIS and related fields. The differences between the two were more to do with what was published. American Archivists had a variety of different kinds of posts and book reviews, where as Information and Culture seemed to rely heavily on printing articles and studies. I thought the American Archivists had a more user-friendly journal and main website. They seemed to be really in-depth about their mission and all their articles are very specific and detailed. I like that they allow anyone to read their back issues at no cost. That type of free information is what I think journals will eventually all roll over to, with a cost only for the several latest editions.

The similarities and differences tell me a few things about the LIS field. One is that information is the core of all specialty areas and the main reason for the industry. Everything that has to do with library and information has to do with the creating, recording, monitoring, maintaining, and disseminating of knowledge. It excites me that no matter what branch of this industry I end up in, the main goal is the same, protect and maintain information to best serve the community.

Professional Associations

Illinois Library Association (ila.org)

This not-for profit association serves public, academic, and special libraries and its 3,600 members throughout Illinois. Their mission is to provide “leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library services in Illinois and for the library community in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all” (ila.org). Their primary goals are to advocate for the public interest, promote excellence and innovation, and to manage the presence to prepare for the future.

There are three different kinds of memberships and each is open to any organization or person: personal, advocate, and institutional. The benefits from having a membership with the ILA include being able to network with a wide range of professionals, participate in conferences and workshops, free special interest group meet-ups, access to a wide range of useful publications, many opportunities for professional growth. There are multiple opportunities to get involved with local chapters and committees as well as attend conferences and workshops on various topics. There doesn’t seem to be a special designated sign up for students only; it only matters if you’re a student for the personal membership fee, which is a bit cheaper.

The ILA has several publications to its name including the ILA Reporter, Illinois Library Laws, Service Our Public: Standards for Illinois Public Libraries, Trustee Facts Files, and Cyberguide for Kids and Parents.

Their social media presence is pretty good. They have six blogs that discuss a variety of topics from young children to adults, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. The Facebook/Twitter accounts have a ton of great articles and links to what the association is doing at conferences and in general. The website is chalked full of useful links and information about what the ILA is involved in and current projects. The ILA Reporter publication is beautiful. It looks classy and professional with gorgeous pictures of their featured stories. The stories and content inside are relevant to the Illinois area and are mixed with articles that pertain to the library and information science industry in general.

Substance Abuse Librarian and Information Specialists (salis.org)

Created with the help of the help of the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the SALIS is an international organization that helps disseminate information about drug, alcohol, and tobacco abuse. Their goals are to promote accurate knowledge about the use and consequences of various substances, to provide communication, to encourage member cooperation, and to serve as advocates and supporters for common interests and development programs.

Their memberships are open to librarians, information professionals and anyone who works with or is interested in substance abuse information/knowledge. Members are the frontrunner and advocates that speak out about research, resource centers, and hospital/treatment centers. There is a student discount for a membership. The benefits of a membership include new and archived issues of their SALIS News publication and Addiction Professional, able to participate in committee and special interest groups, conference presentations available online, access to a members directory, access to the SALIS-L listserv and their LinkedIn Group.

I wasn’t able to read any of their publications because I am not currently a member. Beside that, their website does have an entire page of links for resources pertaining to the AOTD database and other topics relating to substance abuse. The website had a ton of contact information for their directors and people in charge for the association. I think that’s pretty neat that that information is so readily available. There doesn’t seem to be any social media presence in regard to Twitter, Facebook, or Blogs. There is a LinkedIn group, but it is a private group and to join you must be a member.

My Thoughts and Observations

I chose ILA because I am from the Chicago area and plan on being a librarian in Illinois once I obtain my MLIS. I also like seeing the state association with a major profession, I feel like it sets the tone for all other branches and other smaller associations. I went into the association with high expectations on their website and social media because they are the state association. I was not disappointed. I like how upfront they are about their mission and how it is reiterated throughout all of their content and media. Their website and social media was easy to navigate and nicely laid out; a very friendly user-experience. I will most definitely join this association because it seems in-line with everything I hope to accomplish with my career.

I chose SALIS because I have always been interested in the psychology behind substance abuse and recovery. At one point in my life I was toying with the idea of being a substance abuse counselor. That being said, this association does not seem like something I will become a member to in the future. It seems more directed to health professionals who specialize in substance abuse. Not that I can’t be a part of that, but it just didn’t seem as appealing or informative as I perused the website. It seems like you can’t really get into any of the information or publications unless you are a member. It’s hard to really get a firm grip on if this is a good association for me or not; not sure if I would be getting my money’s worth.  

Popcorn and a Movie

First off, I loved the interviews with real librarians and the challenges they face in real life and the mix of clips from various movies. It was cool to see everything flow in and out of the other while weaving this wonderful story of the history of librarianship throughout media and our culture.

One of my favorite things about this documentary was watching the librarians’ smiles while they talked about their profession. It made me tear up a bit because I am so excited to join the ranks of librarians and become a part of this world. I have been searching for a profession that would be the perfect blend of all my interests and strengths: writing, researching, love of books, social justice, and human behavior. The more I get into the semester and group discussions, the more I know that this career is exactly what I am made to do. I’ve always been a fierce advocate for all the resources the library supplies. The first thing I did when I moved to my own place was to go to the library and get myself a card. I feel like my library is a place that makes me feel like home. I want to continue to be a person that can continue to use word of mouth advertising to show the continual benefits that a community receives by supporting their library.

The major thing that bothered me was the depiction of women librarians. I know that librarians are mostly women but why do they have to be shown as tight-lipped, old and stuffy people. I am far from fitting that stereotype, as I am quirky, hilarious, and love to share my passion with others. What more is the media in general portrays librarians in the worst way with the notion of the “sexy librarian” fantasy; like librarians are only attractive if they loosen up and take off their glasses. How about we stop portraying women as creatures that are only beautiful for their outer appearance and start seeing their minds as their most attractive feature. Part of what I want to do as a librarian is to focus programs toward young teen girls to help promote positive self-worth and self-esteem. I think that the emerging media and technology culture has put even more pressure on young girls to be this unattainable idea of a woman. I want to create a space in the library that helps cultivate a safe environment where they can grow their skills and hobbies so they are more to the world than just a pretty face.  

The thing that really struck a chord with me was that people think being a librarian is an easy job. I think it’s one of the most courageous lines of work you can go into. I mean, it’s essentially the fight to constantly make sure that knowledge is accessible to the general public and that there are resources to meet every need. The struggle to constantly prove that the library is worth funding is astounding to me. The fact that even in this day and age where we put so much emphasis on education, there’s still the need to talk up libraries as an asset. I hope to be the beginning of the revolution to put libraries on the map of being a central hub to every community without the need to constantly defend their importance.