Free to read

Reading the pages in "A Family of Readers" it was talking about leaving kids alone to be with a book and the opportunities people should give kids to read, learn, and explore in literature and not be forced to talk about it. I thought it made a really interesting point when they said the kids who should be reading the quote on quote debatable books are the ones who are afraid to be seen with them. The teacher to combat this, made no sign out sheet or anything so kids would feel free to take and read without feeling embarrassed. I thought this was such a good idea because if students are looking to books for help and may be embarrassed about reading them, the last things educators want to do is encourage this feeling of embarrassment. By implementing this kind of library, it allows kids to learn about the difficult or questionable things in their lives or that their friends are dealing without the embarrassment of adults getting too involved. However, I think it is important for them to know the older people around are willing to help or refer them to someone to help them so they are not trying to deal with things alone.

My favorite part of the reading was when Janet McDonald said, "closed legs are good, but an open mind is better" (p. 300). I thought this was hilarious but also a really good lesson for me to learn because everyone has their own opinions and convictions, but regardless of what we believe, it is important for everyone to have an open mind and be interested in learning and growing as people. I really admired this author for taking unbiased opinions and allowing readers to decide what is right for themselves. Including author's like her in our future classroom libraries will be such a good idea because then we won't be instilling our own views but allowing our students the opportunities to be exposed to different situations and decide for themselves.