Complex female characters challenge traditional notions of femininity and beauty.
The Unconventional Heroine
Ama is a complex and multifaceted character, defying traditional notions of femininity and beauty. She’s a strong-willed and independent individual who doesn’t shy away from violence or confrontation. Her character serves as a refreshing change from the typical damsel-in-distress trope, where the female protagonist is often relegated to a passive role. Ama’s backstory is marked by trauma and abuse, which has shaped her into the person she is today. She’s a skilled fighter and uses her abilities to protect herself and those she cares about.
The law, which was signed by Governor Spencer Cox, aims to protect children from explicit content in their educational materials.
The New Utah Law: Protecting Children from Explicit Content
The Utah Legislature has taken a significant step in protecting the well-being and safety of its children by passing a new law that requires the removal of explicit content from public school libraries. This law, which went into effect on July 1, is a response to growing concerns about the presence of indecent or pornographic materials in school libraries.
The Law’s Key Provisions
The list of banned titles is a reflection of the school’s conservative values and the fear of the unknown. The list includes books that deal with sensitive topics such as racism, sexism, and LGBTQ+ issues, which are deemed too controversial for the school’s conservative values.
The Banned Books List: A Reflection of Conservative Values
The school’s administration has released a list of 15 books that are banned from the school library due to their content. The list includes a range of titles, from classic novels to contemporary bestsellers. However, the list is not a reflection of the school’s commitment to intellectual freedom and diversity.
What’s on the List? The list includes books that deal with sensitive topics such as racism, sexism, and LGBTQ+ issues. Some of the banned books include:*
- “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee
- “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D.
This process is often used to remove books from school libraries and curricula.
The Banned Books Challenge Process
The process of challenging a book is not as straightforward as it may seem. It typically involves a formal complaint, which is then reviewed by a committee or school administration.
Books are not just about the words on the page, but about the values and messages they convey.
She said that, “It’s not just about the books themselves, but about the message they convey and the values they promote.”
The Controversy Surrounding Challenged Books in Utah Schools
The Utah State Board of Education has implemented guidelines that require school libraries to remove challenged books from circulation and dispose of them. This decision has sparked controversy among educators, parents, and students, with some arguing that it restricts freedom of expression and others seeing it as a necessary measure to protect children from explicit content.
The Context of Challenged Books
Challenged books are those that have been removed from school libraries or challenged by parents or community members due to their content. These books often deal with sensitive topics such as sex, violence, and social issues. In Utah, the controversy surrounding challenged books has been ongoing for several years, with some schools facing criticism for their handling of the issue. Key statistics: + In 2020, 144 books were challenged in Utah schools. + 75% of these challenges were due to concerns about sex, violence, or profanity. + 45% of challenged books were removed from circulation.
The Guidelines and the Reaction
The Utah State Board of Education guidelines require school libraries to follow a specific process when dealing with challenged books. This process includes:
- Reviewing the book’s content and determining whether it is suitable for students.
The Great Book Debate: Protecting Children or Preserving Freedom of Expression?
The Importance of Banning Books
Banning books is a contentious issue that has sparked heated debates among educators, authors, and readers. While some argue that banning books is necessary to protect children from explicit content, others claim that it stifles free speech and creativity. In this article, we will explore the importance of banning books and examine the arguments for and against this practice.
The Case for Banning Books
Some argue that banning books is necessary to protect children from explicit content, violence, or other forms of material that may be deemed objectionable. For example, some books may contain graphic descriptions of violence, sex, or other mature themes that may not be suitable for younger readers. In these cases, banning the book may be seen as a way to shield children from exposure to such content. Examples of banned books include: + “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee + “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger + “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison
The Case Against Banning Books
However, others argue that banning books is unnecessary and can have unintended consequences. For example, banning a book can lead to a lack of exposure to diverse perspectives and ideas, which can limit a child’s understanding of the world.
However, the lack of a dedicated library space has led to a number of issues, including a lack of resources, limited access to technology, and a lack of quiet space for studying and research.
The Need for a Dedicated Library Space
The absence of a dedicated library space at Park City High School has significant implications for students’ academic success. Without a traditional library, students are forced to rely on external resources, such as the Summit County Library, which can be inconvenient and time-consuming. This can lead to a lack of access to resources, including books, databases, and technology, which are essential for academic success.
“I think that’s part of the reason why we need to get students involved in the project. By getting them involved, we can build that trust and show them that we care about what they have to say.”
Building Trust with Students
Rude’s approach to teaching is centered around building trust with her students. She believes that when students feel heard and valued, they are more likely to engage with the material and take ownership of their learning. To achieve this, Rude often works closely with the student’s English teachers to find topics that will spark their interest. Some of the topics that Rude has worked on with her students include:
- Social justice issues
- Environmental concerns
- Personal stories of struggle and resilience
- Historical events that have impacted their community
- “Persepolis” by Marjane Satrapi
- “Maus” by Art Spiegelman
- “Watchmen” by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
- The mystery section features a range of titles, including:
- “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie
- “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson
- “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn
- The thriller section is home to:
- “The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown
- “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins
- “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson
- Realistic fiction and fantasy novels are also well-represented, with titles such as:
- “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green
- “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” by J.K.
The Power of Student Voice
By involving students in the project, Rude aims to give them a sense of ownership and agency over their learning.
The collection is diverse and extensive, catering to various tastes and interests.
The Library’s Diverse Collection
Ecker Hill’s library is a treasure trove of literary delights, boasting an impressive array of graphic novels, mysteries, thrillers, realistic fiction, and fantasy novels. The collection is carefully curated to cater to diverse tastes and interests, ensuring that every visitor can find something that piques their curiosity. Some of the notable titles in the graphic novel section include:
- Reviewing the book’s content and determining whether it is suitable for students.
