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The American Library Association’s list of Book and Media Awards winners was recently proclaimed at the Newbery Caldecott Wilder banquet, creating quite a commotion in children’s lit circles.
As a homeschooler twenty-five years ago, I was interested to see the new Caldecott selections assuming that they would live up to very high standards of 65 years ago. My book-loving friends and I didn’t question the American Library Association (ALA) “experts”. We were almost too busy to see the sharp decline in wholesome adventure and mental food to inspire a young heart to courageous living.
I trusted them and their yardstick for judging children’s literature – but not anymore.
Before I get started, this is now currently underway in many public libraries. It may or may not be in your town’s, but it is worth being aware of.
Anyway, what’s bad is not for me to determine. It is for me to increase awareness so conscientious parents can make wise choices.
Now back to this post…
ALA Agenda
The ALA does not exist simply to provide quality, wholesome literature to children. It’s quite the opposite, in fact. The ALA is a liberal organization that relentlessly pursues a homosexual agenda, and it relies heavily on “authentic literature” to drive that agenda. (source)
‘Authenticity’ in Caldecott and YA (Young Adult) Books
The ALA has utilized the term “authentic literature” to describe books they feel have “literary merit.” It sounds pretty harmless, but in actuality, it’s a shrewd term misused by the liberal ALA to promote numerous books like This One Summer, a “graphic novel” (aka comic book) written and illustrated by cousins Tamaki. According to them, it’s “quality”…a book they chose to give the highest citation in the literary world, a Caldecott honor.
The ALCS gives the Caldecott Medal “to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children (age 14 and under).”
For Instance
Go here to see an example of the artwork they are elevating to award status geared for our children under 14! To see ten consecutive pages, go here. Pay particular attention to page 27 (eating what looks like a baby’s foot).
In 2008, another book, written by the same cousins, won these awards – given by “experts.” It’s about a depressed, Wicca-worshiping, homosexual high school girl, and according to the ALA, it’s good literature – it’s “authentic literature.”
Outwardly, this book looks totally innocent. With TWO shiny medals on the cover it’s easy to be fooled!
I will spare you the mental images, but suffice it to say that I would need to use a lot of fill-in-the-blank asterisks (*s) in order to be able to write the sampling of words contained.
Caldecott & Graphic Content
How many of us well-meaning parents know why these shiny, prestigious medallions were placed on a book’s cover? Would the same parents think highly of these award-winners if they were in on the content taken directly from their amazingly graphic pages?
Steve Baldwin, a former Chairman of the California Legislature’s Education Committee, wasn’t fooled by the ALA’s word games. In his article Baldwin wrote, “The authentic literature books are rife with profanity and are dominated by themes of death, crime, drug addiction, occultism, rapes, gang beatings, weird sex, homosexual encounters, and so on. Shockingly, many of them violate state obscenity laws and even school district age appropriate regulations. I collected excerpts from hundreds of such books that are not only common in school libraries but are often assigned by teachers as mandatory reading assignments.”
Caldecott & Newbery Winners, Too…
Not only are YA books are becoming progressively permeated with sexual, brooding, occult, or adult themes, but so are categories for children ages 9-13. (And don’t think younger children aren’t reading these books; they are).
The middle-grade (5-8th) Newbery winners of the past fifty years, like this one, this one, this one, and this one, have garnered their own share of praise simply for blazing the trail in literary edginess. In order to ‘keep the children reading’, they’re offering something ‘bold’ and ‘up-to-date’ in tween literature. There is talk of witchcraft, specifics of private parts, and so much more.
Increasingly, this smutty literature is replacing the traditional literature classics, which, in general, promoted mainstream American values or at least didn’t undermine them.
Literary beauty and innocence such as that of Laura Ingalls Wilder and the gloriously-detailed, winsome imagery of Hollings Clancy Hollings or are long forgotten in awards circles.
“No book is really worth reading, which does not either impart valuable knowledge; or set before us some ideal of beauty, strength, or nobility of character. There are enough great books to occupy us during all our short and busy years. If we are wise, we will resolutely avoid all but the richest and the best.” ~J.R. Miller
Ways To Evaluate Any Book
Please take the time to preview the books your children will be reading. Know what they are being made to read in their classroom if you public school. You, after all, are the best judge for your own family.
Hopefully, we are all aware that there is a battle raging in our culture for the minds and hearts of our children, but how do we as parents prepare them to live in the world and be discerning for themselves?
The vast majority of the award winners published before 1960 display excellence in content and literary merit.
Read Great Books
There are just too many great books to waste our children’s time and hearts on those other “award winners.” Our family’s guide has been and always will be Philippians 4:8. Champion and uphold what is right and true. Great books create an inner world that is a secret world for children’s souls, showing them through thrilling stories and stout-hearted characters exactly what it means to be noble, good, and even holy.
Check out the wholesome book lists here at Deep Roots at Home, many of which are edifying Caldecott books!
“There are few very libraries today in which I would leave my 13-year-old unescorted, because, unfortunately, the protection and safety of our children is simply no longer a priority for libraries or for the ALA. That may sound harsh, but it’s true.” ~Steve Baldwin
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Dawn Paoletta (@breathoffaith)
Excellent and important post! Thank you for putting into this informative post what I have seen for so many years. There is so much passing into YA that is graphic, inappropriate and far from edifying or wholesome. AND absolutely not literature…it is shocking.
Vicki Pastore
I got rid of my library card over 10 years ago when I came across a picture book for preschoolers that depicted a “goth” character visiting with the devil, mutilating herself, and purposely neglecting plants in order to watch them die. My niece had also brought home graphic novels with similar themes, swear words, etc. I also saw a book that encouraged children to steal, disobey their parents, harm their siblings, and reject their parents’ religion. When I complained, the library defended the books, saying that the books were the “best” literature available, and accused me of censorship and intolerance. My trust in them was forever violated. I never went back.
Jacqueline
How sad that you had to experience that, Vicki! Think how many parents are still under the spell of wickedness and greed (to write and promote such filth) and unaware of what their children are consuming! How upside down this world has become regarding values and how quickly! God knows, however, and won’t be silent long! Have mercy on us, Lord!
Barb S.
Thanks for sharing, Jacki. Very careful about what we get from the library. This is why I love to frequent library book sales (because they get rid of all the classic good stuff to make room for this junk, and I get it at a great deal — and then I get to sniff it [only true bibliophiles will get this]) and yard sales. I recently acquired 9 boxes of books FREE from a private school library weeding out older stuff to modernize. Their loss is my gain! I got a handful of goodies worth keeping (I especially like quality biographies and not these current fluffy picture-laced ones), the rest will be sold on Half.com.
Jacqueline
Barb, I am excited you got those great books, but yes, it is SO sad for those children who never will know them 🙁
Hope all’s well with your dear family!
Laura Jeanne
This post breaks my heart. I can protect my children from the evils in the world as best I can, but what about the many millions of children out there whose parents aren’t aware, or who don’t care, about what they read? I think the basic idea out there that most parents have, is that as long as the children are reading something, then it’s all good.
When I was younger I worked in a bookstore, and I can attest that even back then (15 years ago) the YA section of the store was filled with dark and brooding books containing graphic sexuality. To think that this trend is continuing downwards to the younger age group…is just heartbreaking. What is going on in this world!?
Jacqueline
Laura Jeanne,
The last time i was in a bookstore, I perused the YA section and the children’s, too. I’m not to shock-able, but found myself rather nauseous!
The evil one loves this, BUT: “”I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Ellen Keyes
I’m grateful for this article because I spend so much time trying to encourage parents to really KNOW what their children are reading. The mindset “as long as they’re reading” is not what I want to foster. I always tell parents that there are SO many good and valuable books to read there is no reason to waste time and character space on ones with which we are not acquainted.
Jacqueline
Ellen, Thanks for being a helpful voice to those in your sphere! Keep up the good work!
Corine
AMEN!
Sophia
I learned what a mistake it was to trust the library when I took my daughter to Pre-School Story Time in our small city – and a book was read to the 3 & 4 year olds that was a very bold sales pitch for Homosexuality. The library administration was apologetic when I complained, but the damage had been done. Your article is right on target.
suzanne knutson
This is really good to know. I teach Literature class to homeschoolers and it baffles me, even that curriculum companies who claim to have a Biblical worldview put certain books on the reading lists. One of my main reasons to teach is because so many moms don’t take the time to investigate and think because someone else has deemed the book a classic, it is a good read. A lot of the books I choose are on the Newberry award or honor list, but I typically choose books from before 1950. I think that is the time when writers started writing from a place where truth was no longer absolute–the bottom line moved for truth, in literature.
I honestly believe that much of the depression and suicide in our teenagers is brought on my the seriously depressing and confusing ideas that are presented in current literature. I have not chosen all my books for this year yet and classes begin in 2 weeks…It is a difficult task but this article you wrote affirms my efforts. Thank you!
Jacqueline
I would agree with your premise that much depression and suicide stems from the climate of death in our culture…
We need to remember the words of Proverbs 18:21 – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue (and the pen?), and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
Thank you for what you bring to your students, Suzanne!
Tammy Knox
Thank you so much for your article! I am a stay at home mommy and author of children’s historical fiction. I homeschool our children (ages 16, 12, and 2) because of the terrible influence and ungodly agenda in the public schools. I also encourage other parents who do have children in public schools to be aware of what their children are ‘required’ to read. I have had many girls in my Bible class tell me of some of the trashy books they were required to read by their teachers. I told them to tell their parents and ask their parents to take charge and go to the administration or school board. It makes me so mad and sad that educators (who parents think they can trust) and others in general try to strip away the innocence of children by means of books, movies, games, music, and even school. Thank you so much again for the article. I know as an author of good, wholesome books, that I will never have my books win one of these awards and that is fine with me. If you are interested in checking out my one currently published book (I have others in the works) it is called “Trapped on the Titanic” by Tammy S. Knox.
Jacqueline
Thank you for sharing your story, Tammy!! I will definitely check your book out, and I’ll have to add it to a post I hope to write later this year.
Gina
Thank you for the encouragement! My husband and I are very excited about homeschooling our kids with a huge emphasis on reading. I always loved to read and excelled at it as a child, and now that I follow Jesus, I am starting to feel a little overwhelmed with not just going to the books I know, because let’s be honest, most of them are just filled with horrible junk!! It will take a long time to build up a lovely library like I envision, but I know it will be so worth it. When our first son starts kindergarden, we’re starting with Pilgrim’s Progress! I will probably read aloud a young readers’ version. (Spurgeon read it almost twice a year starting as a child less than 10 years old!) Anyway, thank you for the great resources.
Jacqueline
OOh, Pilgrim’s Progress is one of our all-time favorites and wonderful as a basis with the bible for all the rest! I’m praying for all you homeschooling moms! The Lord WILL help you through!
Suz
In kindergarten, my daughter loved Helen Taylor’s version of Pilgrim’s Progress – if you want to start with a simpler version, maybe take a look at that one!
Jacqueline
Very nice to know!!! Pilgrim’s Progress is definitely a book to read in different levels of understanding!
Shannon
So very true. But not new. I’m 35 and I remember my own mom saying similar things when I was a child/teenager about the current books then.
Also, we have to remember that “old” doesn’t always mean “innocent”.
For instance…
“Literary beauty and innocence such as that of Laura Ingalls Wilder…”
I LOVE the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. I am currently reading “Little House on the Prairie” to my children (ages 6 and 3 1/2.) But they are not as “innocent” as they seem all the time. They are historical – so there are historical biases in them. “Little House on the Prairie” has brought up many discussions with my children about American history and American Indians were treated – not because the stories are “innocent” but because they are biased. It was the way it was in that time – but it no longer is so. I need to teach my children, as we read, that what we read about indians in those stories was not the full truth – and that all people, no matter what race, were and are people just like us. Now, there is not necessarily anything wrong with that – it is history. But I cannot just simply read these stories to my young children and leave it at that. I must teach them how the truth differs from what we read.
While there are many books I would not touch because of their content, even those books I do touch and deem “good”, I still must be aware of inaccuracies and and misinformation that my children may pick up if I am not careful.
Jacqueline
You are so right, Shannon. We give the best o our children when we discuss exactly the things you mention. I remember Ma saying “the only good Indian is a dead Indian” b/c many of their friends had been killed…but they were killed for taking the Indians land…so history needs to be processed with them for real understanding and empathy both ways! Excellent point 🙂
Chelle
Wouldn’t it be wonderful for there to be an alternate, current, wholesome, award winning system?
Or is there already one?
Jacqueline
I would love to know the answer to that question…anyone know? Great thought, Chelle! You need to start one now 😉
Caroline
We offer a wide variety of readers. http://www.learningcyclestore.com/about-us/
Also, you can use this site to look into a book “pre-purchase:
http://www.squeakycleanreviews.com/
Caroline
ALSO – Loyal books is a good resource of audio books for old classics. We sort through, filter, and then burn some of these (after clicking on the “children” tab on the left) and burn to CD – it makes for great audio on long trips in the car. FREE….GOOD…..Books!
Click on the book and play directly from computer while getting dinner ready, or burn to listen to another way:
http://www.loyalbooks.com/genre/Children
Jacqueline
Wonderful resource, Caroline!!! Thank you so much for sharing these with everyone! I’m excited to know about this resource!
Blessings!
Betty
I really appreciated this article. I am shocked and dismayed at those titles of books with awards and on recommended reading lists. I knew when we moved back to New England and have visited several libraries that we would not be checking out many, if any books. After looking online at mandatory reading lists for our area schools and looking in our libraries I was shocked and horrified at what I saw. All my suspicions of it being intentional have been proven with your article. My son’s kindle is loaded with classics and how much he just loves them. The saddest thing is that parents don’t either want to know and just blindly trust or see it as the signs of the times. After all, if you look at what is on TV, in music and so forth, you will find very little difference. 🙁
Kerri Bielinski
I so appreciate this post! Unfortunately, I never thought to research the requirements or agenda for the children’s literature awards. I trusted. Which, considering the main reason we homeschool and the culture we live in, is idiotic. But my eyes and heart have been enlightened that much more and sparked to do what has been tugging at me for a bit: weed the bookshelves.
One question though. On recommendation of a (pretty conservative) christian literature homeschooling company, I read through The Whipping Boy with my kids. We thoroughly enjoyed it, were saddened by the historicity of the title, and had much fodder for discussion. The main character remained honorable, and even risked himself for the well-being of one who had so badly mistreated him. (A hard thing for any child to do.) All that to say, I am curious to know what contents were found so offensive as to gain a negative review in the article?
Always willing to think, balance, and re-weigh….
KL
Jacqueline
Kerri, I need to get that out and re-read it (it has been many years)…for some reason, I remember it negatively…Thank you for speaking up and sharing it here for others so they can take that into consideration.
God bless you, Mama 🙂
Kathleen
Thanks so much for your insight into children’s books. One almost has to be always on the look out for hidden agendas.
I appreciate you sharing this on Fridays Blog Booster Party #21
Kathleen
Leslie
This is very interesting . . . I’m not one to censor books, but I do find it troubling that most of what is now required reading is more recent literature as opposed to the timeless classics. I suppose some modern fiction may become timeless, but it’s a little soon to say at this point. I don’t mind exposing the kids to fresh ideas and different points of view, but I’d prefer less of that and more of the traditional canon.
Jennifer S.
Yes, sadly for a long time our family has watched the decline in the merit of the books being given these awards. My parents taught me long before I was married to not trust the award stickers on the front. It’s sad. It’s so hard to take our children to the library and have so few choices for them. We actually rarely go because of this. Instead I scour thrift stores, used book stores and yard sales looking for good books. We have a sizable library now so my children are not without books.
Jacqueline
Jennifer, I loved looking for excellent books when our children were young. I actually prayed before setting out of an excursion that the Lord would lead me to wonderful books, and He did! I am encouraged that you are a vigilant and aware Mother! God bless you and your family richly 🙂
Geri
What are your thoughts on The Boxcar Children series? I found those years ago for a grandson and read a couple to be sure they were acceptable. He kept reading and I trusted them because they were written so long ago. You’re right on – as you know – about schools. They give kids the most perverted books to read.
Jacqueline
Geri, I enjoyed the first three with our children. but something was lacking after that and we stopped reading. It wasn’t that they were bad, but they weren’t as ‘wonderful and insightful’ as the earlier works. I think that when an author gets rave reviews for a first book, publishers can place undue pressure on the author to write more….and the joy, wonder, and beauty are somehow not the same or diluted…just my opinion. I’m not aware how many are in the series anymore and I’d just pick one up and scan it for content.
Glad you asked, friend!
Katie
The question that always comes up in my mind is- how can we find recently-written books that are good? Especially without reading through everythiung first!
Hilary
You have certainly touched my heart with this one, Ms. Jacqueline. So very well said! Thank you! (Thank you for the link to my site, too. I’ve had more hits than ever before from this article).
Many blessings,
Hilary
Jacqueline
Aww.., Hilary, I am so thankful!! Praise the Lord for His faithfulness and goodness. Jesus said, “Keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36) I do love your blog and feel you are a trustworthy person for parents to glean from. Sending warm hugs and love to you all!
Cindy
We don’t even use the library anymore. Between the globalist hooey in the children’s section, illustrated by the artwork of propagandized public school children, the amount of twaddle you have to sift through to find something of value, and the blatant sexualization among industry favorites that you expose here, we’re better off just ordering what we need at Amazon or other places. The library is not the holy and wholesome place our teachers tried to convince us it was. It’s only as holy as the culture around it.
Jacqueline
Absolutely agree, Cindy, and I think you have expressed what many of us feel/believe very well! So sad where we’ve come 🙁 The solution is to build your own library and share them with other families who share your convictions…even then be vigilant and pre-read because everyone’s values are not always the same.
Thanks for sharing and God bless you and yours!
Kim
Thank you for this article. I have been deceived by the shiny medal on the front of these books. I thought that that meant that it was good quality literature for kids. I took a look at the pages of the graphic novel above and was astounded. I had heard that the books that were required reading for public schools were full of inappropriate agenda , but to see award winning books with such blatant liberal graphics and content was eye opening.
Kathleen
Jacqueline, I am pleased to say that this post was in the TOP SIX most clicked on Fridays Blog Booster Party #21 It will be featured on Friday
Kathleen
Jacqueline
Thank you, Kathleen! I appreciate the feature, friend!
Eva
You are so right! Many a time we came from the library with the books suggested by the librarian because they were medal winners and after a few pages I would just stop reading and say, “ok, let’s not finish it. it doesn’t seem like the right kind of book for us!” And my 7-year old would say, “But the librarian said it was good and it has a medal on the cover!” That’s where we start discussing the power of critical thinking and that we don’t need to agree with someone else’s opinion. This is a great post! I hope you can add your blog to this Homeschooling Blogs Directory http://www.kidminds.org/p/top-homeschool-blogs-directory.html
Jacqueline
Yes! Great that you used that situation as a teachable moment. Everyone we get we should take advantage of…it makes for strong dritical thinkers, for sure, Eva!
I’ll come and link-up some more…Blessings!
Tina at Mommynificent
Living outside of the US, I had sort of noticed this trend but I kept thinking I was just getting bad books and it was a fluke. Thanks for sharing this insightful article at Booknificent Thursday!
Tina
JES
Hello there!!! 🙂 I have been visiting family over the summer and got home this week. I just wanted to say hello and GREAT ARTICLE here. I have been proofreading every book for years before it gets put in our bookshelf (it is very time consuming but very worth it!!!). Covers are so deceiving and sadly, I noticed that the more medals the newer book has, the more liberal agenda it contains. I usually reach for titles prior to 1940 for a stronger moral theme but even proofread the old ones to be safe. Books are so beloved in our home but we must be cautious. They are teachers and I would be leery of many of the modern authors out there — they are teaching and I do fear their purpose isn’t for God’s glory… Sending a huge hug your way!!
Ellen
What the ALA considers “winners”, I find disturbing, to say the least. I am thankful that my children are grown, and at the same time, sad for my grandchildren.
Elisa
This was very helpful to me and prompted me to go to my child’s school and have a chat with the librarian. I appreciate the resources you’re providing. Thank you and God bless.
Jacqueline
You are welcome! Elisa, I am SO encouraged that you would go and talk with your librarian. Awesome proactive Mama!!!!
Thanks for the encouragement, too!
Elisa
Following-up . . . Are you familiar with the Triple Crown Awards? Their database looks like it may be a good resource for finding more recently published books. http://www.triplecrownawards.org
Jacqueline
Thank you for that resource, Elisa! I wasn’t aware of it 🙂
Lee
From the Triple Crown Awards website:”Encouraging elementary and junior high students to read wholesome and uplifting books since 1992.”
Ryan
Books don’t turn kids gay. They just are or aren’t. Maybe some of these authors will understand what gay adolescents are going through better than a bunch of close-minded parents hovering over every page to make sure it doesn’t say the word “penis.” This blog is laughable and backwards and so is your taste in picture books.
Jacqueline
Ryan, thank you for your comment. I am sorry you feel that way.
Marion Lansford
You’re comment Is SPOT ON! Agenda? Hers is revealed with use of the word liberal. IMMEDIATELY!
Jacqueline
Marion, I’ll use the Word of God in reply to your comment:
“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price (by Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection). So glorify God in your body.” ~1 Corinthians 6: 18-20
These words are written to Christians, so they will not make sense to you. I pray that the Lord will open your mind to the truth that will give you peace and true freedom from slavery to the kind of lifestyle you advocate. There is no other ‘agenda’ here but to obey the One who made us and is powerful to send us to hell if we do not repent. God is merciful, but He is also our ultimate judge!
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”” ~Romans 10: 9-13
Praying for you, friend! Thank you for your comment.
Karyn
I just came across this post & want to thank you for it. I had no idea. It just makes me so sad that there is so little we can rely on for quality literature anymore. I will just hang on to my classic book lists and be much more cautious in the choices I put in front my my kids. It get’s so much harder as they get older, though. I have kids who read nonstop. How do I know all of those books are acceptable?!
I actually wrote a blog post about finding clean books to read on my site and started a petition for a book rating system. It has not gotten many signatures, but I think this could really be a great way to better the system.
Jacqueline
I think your idea is a thoughtful one, Karyn. I will try to hop over and read your post! I am interested in seeing a book rating system, too, but doubt it could ever happen with the ALA’s mentality on morality 🙂 God bless you, new friend!
Rebecca Gilham
Have you seen the list of books that High School Advanced Placement English students must read? GARBAGE! The students have to read them because they are on the national test which assists getting into college. Someone decided these books have merit, but there is obviously another agenda going on.
Jacqueline
Thank you, Rebecca. So sad. If you could provide me with the list you are speaking of, I’d appreciate it. It might necessitate a post…but how to do it so as to NOT promote them?! I appreciate you!
Lauren
This doesn’t surprise me.
1) I haven’t read many of the more recent Newbery books, and I’m not familiar enough with Caldecott to speak about them. So I can’t speak to the truth of what this author is asserting
2) It’s important to remember, that even “back in the olden days” Newbery came under fire for some of their choices. People will always disagree as to what books we should let children read. Always. The best answer is – read them yourself, pay attention, be involved, and make the best choice for your family and children. Also to remember, not everyone is like you or has the same priorties or beliefs, and people are going to let their kids read stuff you don’t agree with.
3) The “values” the author assert no longer reign. She lives in a dream world if she thinks “experts” care about books that promote “some ideal of beauty, strength, or nobility of character.” These experts are desperate to stay popular, and they aren’t going to do that by promoting books with the values she approves of. It’s about money, power, and prestige. What gains that now is “tolerance” by which we mean to adhere to the ideas lauded by the world. Homosexuality, raunchiness, the glorification of mental illness, being the victim as an excuse to act however one wants, promiscuity labeled as free love, exploring your sexuality in whatever way you want, me-first as the right way – these are all the values now deemed good by the world. What else would she expect from the bulk of today’s books?
4) If your child is reading or being read to from a book in school you don’t agree with, speaking to their teacher in a respectful and kind manner will help. For example, you might offer an agreeable substitute. Most teachers aren’t out to corrupt your kids. They will work with you.
5) Telling a child not to read a book because it’s “sinful” or have “bad things in it” almost guarantees they will try to read it – particularly if they have access to it (as you know!). You might be better off reading it with your child, and discussing the subjects and ideas and why you think it’s bad, or engaging the child in the choice. Not being a parent, this seems like a splendid answer, but I know, it’s not that cut and dry.
6) The most important thing: Be there and be involved. No matter what your kids are reading, if you are there to talk to them and answer questions, they will learn to make good reading choices on their own. Remember, once they leave your care, they can read whatever they want. The idea isn’t too control their reading, but to help them develop the ability to make wise choices about what they apply their minds to – book, movie, speech, game, – anything.
Jacqueline
At first I was put off by what I was reading in your comment, but as I keep reading, essentially we agree on the main points. However, I would never tell a child, “That book is sinful.” Books aren’t sinful, but their contents can be and discernment is necessary and right. My goal is to allow a child to be free of bombardment from unnatural things, evil things until they are gradually able to understand and not be confused, mislead, or upset by content that is perverted. That is what I expect from ‘the bulk of the books today’. Yes, as a mother, it is my right and responsibility to protect their hearts for a time. Also, I write to a Christian audience and hope to convince those that aren’t while they might still see through the politically correct premise we have shoved at us all the time.
I definitely don’t live in a dream world and have raised 3 fully functioning, hard-working, good-decision making, contributing members of society who aren’t depressed, don’t have entitlement thinking, and are grounded socially, morally and spiritually. They are strong individuals who are making a difference in their communities. Absolutely, we are far from perfect, but they feel they’ve had the choice of what to believe because they were allowed to make their own choices when they were old enough to make *informed* choices. Children aren’t really able to do that and are easily influenced to their later destruction. A greater and greater number of children are so immersed in the garbage out there that they don’t make it to the real world being lead into poor decisions, serial relationships, dark thinking etc. I don’t see that as freedom, but as slavery of the worst kind. Thanks, Lauren, for your thought-provoking comment!
Kathryn Ross
Jacqueline, this post is spot on! My husband has been a career bookseller for over 30 years and the decline in literature for children is profound. As a performance storyteller at the local mall for 7 years, I spent a lot of time reviewing literature for children, middle school and YA. I remember being at a book show in one of the workshops with a book rep from one of the large publishing houses. She took a real beating from the booksellers in the workshop for inaccurate information about the content in the books coming out. Children with money were buying their own books only to have them brought back by irate parents wanting their money back because of the content. As a rule of thumb we were told that books rated for 12 and under will have foul language and some sexual innuendo. Books for 14 and up–YA–will definitely have foul language and sexual content and may include graphic violence and edgy themes. That was the best advice this sales rep could give the booksellers. I was appalled, but not surprised. I’ve struggled with the recent medal winners, too. Unworthy of awards or a reading audience–especially children. This is a passionate subject for me as a writer. Currently I’m independently publishing my own books for family literacy, complete with teaching and learning tools to engage parents and children in the act of literacy, and the formation of critical thinking and reasoning from within a biblical worldview. The classics, filled with rich language and themes drawn within a biblical worldview due to the historic time period in which they were written, are my favorite reads. And yes–they invite intelligent discussion about the bias of the time period. I really hate it when these treasured classics are turned into movies with their characters taken completely out of character of the historical time, and made to respond with contemporary sensibilities. A host of recent Jane Austen novels were butchered that way in the last five years or so. But, I digress.
This post is a wonderful resource for concerned Christian families and the homeschool community. I will be sharing it on my FB page for Pageant Wagon Publishing. We’re vendors with our book series at the huge CHAP homeschool convention in Harrisburg, PA next week and so excited to share His Story through story with the brave families homeschooling their children in today’s world.
Joy!
Kathy
Jacqueline
WE love the good people of CHAP!! Have a wonderful and productive time there. May the Lord bless you Kathryn for all you do to ehlp and inspire families toward excellence! Thank you for sharing this post as well!
Blessings, friend!
Elizabeth Earl
Thank you so much for this list. I live in a very conservative, homogeneous area and am always looking for books to help my kids see the world outside our limiting community, and this looks like an excellent book list of things to seek out for my kids. The ironic title and satiric article had me laughing throughout, and I really needed that today, so thank you for that too.
Jacqueline
You are welcome, Elizabeth! Blessings 🙂
JPj
An award system for books in Canada is the Silver Birch awards. Equally problematic. My dd had to kill time at school once (I cannot recall why anymore) and the principal gave her a brrand new book to read. She brought it home and we both read it. I phoned the school and it turned out the principal had not read it. I don’t know if the book satyed out of circulation, but I am no longer impressed by awrd winning books.
Jan England
One of the best guide books on what to watch out for in children’s books as well as a whole section dedicated to good, age appropriate literature for children: Michael O’Brien’s “A Landscape with Dragons: The Battle for your Child’s Mind
http://www.ignatius.com/AdvancedSearch/DefaultWFilter.aspx?SearchTerm=a+landscape+with+dragons&ck=t,a
Jacqueline
Thank you for that resource, Jan!
Ellen
Hello Jacqueline,
Thank you for raising awareness of the necessity for parents to check their children’s backpacks for the reading materials they are exposed to.
Chinese Handcuffs a book by Another highly-rated YA author-Chris Crutcher, was assigned to my middle-school child to write a team book report. It’s the only time I’ve been glad he doesn’t like to read and never opened the book before I found it. It’s full of graphic images of forced gang-rape, teen sex and contemplation of suicide.
All parents must be vigilant in protecting their children from educators with no filter for protecting our children from material that is not only not age-appropriate but damaging to someone of an age not to be able to put it into perspective.
Jacqueline
Ellen, that is horrible. I am speechless! I am praying the Lord gives you great wisdom, my friend!
Joan Weber
So, I never did see a link to a list of the books that are unhealthy??!!
Jacqueline
Haha! No, I didn’t think they deserved a mention, Joan!
Joan Weber
Well, I’m a grandmother and I love buying books for them and they are all good readers and so they’ve read most of the “good” ones and I was hoping to learn of those I should avoid.
Jacqueline
I’m sorry, Joan! I wondered if your comment (though not nasty like some) was from someone who ‘appreciated’ the books that celebrated homeosexual lifestyle and was just razzng me. I did have a short list at one time, but decided not to publish it. I don’t have it anymore.
Thank you for understanding and I apologize that I thought you might be a ‘troll’ as they say in the blogging world.
God bless you! We need all the godly grandmothers we can get! 😀
Joan Weber
Great! Understood but please let us know of the wholesome ones! And God bless you!
Jacqueline
Joan, I should have given you a few links to booklists of excellent reading for children. Here are two, but you can find more by searching ‘children’s books’ in the search bar in the right column: https://deeprootsathome.com/60-titles-for-the-well-rounded-childrens-bookshelf/ and https://deeprootsathome.com/100-whole-hearted-books-to-fight-back-the-culture-a-giveaway/
I hope that these inspire you! I can’t wait to be a grandma! I will be a Nana 😀
God bless your family!
Joan Weber
Thanks so much for the further info! Many blessings!
Jacqueline
Joan! I’m sorry I was so slow to help you with a real list but very glad we connected, friend 🙂 God bless you!
Kris
Unfortunately, this does not surprise me! I am deeply saddened by the acceptance of homosexuality in our world. Even more alarming, it feels inescapable! Why? Because we are seeing a greater polarization in the world between good and evil, darkness and light. Some may attribute this to the end times.
However, my tgought are even if we guard each piece of literature our children read we would have to block every TV commercial and show, every magazine, every billboard that crosses their path, and essentially keep them in a bubble. So what do we do as Christian parents?
One thing we should not do is home school our children out of fear, or keep them isolated because we feel we need to protect them. We have to remember that God is sovereign, he is in control and can use our children anywhere we put them. I believe the most important thing we need to do as parents is educate our children as to what they should do “when” they come across this material, or when they come across people who engage in that lifestyle, not guard them from it (that’s impossible). Many children attend private Christian Schools, but this type of material still seeps into the school because we live in a fallen world. We have to teach/educate our children how to navigate in this broken and fallen world rather than hide from it.
Thank you for sharing your post. I really enjoyed reading it and loved the books you recommend. There is a lot going on in the public school systems when it comes to pushing the LGBT agenda. I still feel one of the best things we can do is teach our children one, obviously that it’s wrong, but two, how to witness to those types of souls.
Janie B
Jacqueline–a Facebook friend linked to this post, and I was so excited I nearly leapt from my chair. Reading and recommending and yes, even listing good children’s books is what we’re all about at RedeemedReader.com. We just updated our site to offer more features to perturbed parents. I hope some your readers will check us out.
Jacqueline
I am heading to your site now, Janie B! Thanks for stopping in…seems we have the same heart, friend!
Karen
Hi Jacquline,
I haven’t seen a new post in over 2 months, and just wondered if you are ok. I really enjoy your posts, but I also know that you have other things to attend to as well. I’m also kinda wondering if I missed a post where you mentioned being away for awhile or something. Not trying to be nosy, but wanted to check in on you! I didn’t know how to reach you other than to comment on one of your posts….hope that’s ok and that everything is fine with you.
Merry Christmas,
Karen
Jacqueline
Thank you, Karen!! That is so kind, and I am encouraged that you would ask 🙂
Our daughter is getting married in 3 weeks and we also just got back from a short early Christmas with the whole family that can accommodate us all. I have been very sick and almost didn’t make it to the little holiday. I had a 3 week viral chest flu and then it was followed by a pneumonia! Whew! BUT, we have a wonderful Lord who has lead us to the most helpful and wise naturopath. She also got 4 of us over Lyme disease almost 18 months ago. I didn’t know that you could completely kill off all the Lyme co-infections, but what she does is so safe (no antibiotics – which I am allergic to) and now we are totally healed from that!
It took me a while to not feel bad about not writing, but the Lord must have known I couldn’t write this last several months…wonderful that He sees all things and prepared my heart for it 🙂
Thank you for your kind inquiry and a warm Merry Christmas to you, too, dear one!
Joan
God bless you…Prayers that you continue to get/stay well.
Tina at Mommynificent
Thanks for sharing this with us at Booknificent Thursday at Mommynificent.com! It is really important we think about these things.
Tina
Heather
To be fair, the foot she’s eating on page 27 is a gummy foot, purchased on a previous page. I ate gummy feet/hands/lips/bears/worms/fish when I was a kid, too. It’s not a baby’s foot.
Jacqueline
Heather, I get that, but when we imitate evil in whatever form, we are do not honor God! It shows a contempt for human life. That is just my opinion. ~J