Banned Book Week Thoughts

I’ve invited my mother, Tina Barnhart, to join me for this post.

Since it is “Banned Book Week” we decided to write our thoughts on banned books.

Here are some questions we had as we started discussing this topic of banned books:

So what is a banned book?

According to the American Library Association , “a challenge is defined as a formal, written complaint, filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness.”

How does a book get on the list of banned books and where is this list?

Well, there are several “lists” of banned books depending on where you look. The American Library Association compiles a list of the top ten most popularly banned books each year. There are also lists of books we now deem as “classics” that are in their own list, and there are lists of the most popularly banned books of certain decades. Really, it all depends on where you look. Each library, school, and community create and maintain their own lists. Some schools shy away from an actual “banned book list” as not to draw more attention or controversy over a certain book.

The biggest reason for “Banned Book Week” is to promote censure awareness, and the freedom to read. Often the reasons for challenging these books are pretty self-explanatory, but that doesn’t mean that no one should be able to read them. I know many people who take this week to explicitly draw attention to books that are “banned” and to give them as much positive press as possible. Isn’t it interesting that some of the books I have seen on banned book lists are now classics? What makes a story a classic? Did they become classics because they were banned, people became curious about them, and then decided to read them? Or did people want to ban them because they were already so popular?

This is the first time I’ve really paid attention to “banned” or “challenged” books.As I look over the list from the past few years, I notice that some of my favorite reads are mentioned. I too was surprised to see how frequently some of my favorites showed up on the lists. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie has been on the list since 2010. I have two copies of it on my classroom library shelf and often recommend it to readers who enjoy Diary of a Wimpy Kid and are ready for the next level. Some of these books are memoirs and autobiographies. How can one determine to ban another person’s life story?!

The Hunger Games, along with the number one challenged book of 2013, Captain Underpants, were shocking additions to the list in my opinion. Two books that I was not surprised to see on the list, but whose authors I am looking forward to meeting next month are The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky and Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher.

So, just because a book is mentioned on a banned book list somewhere does not mean that you should not consider reading it. Being that it is Banned Book Week, what a great time to explore some new titles and see what all the controversy is about!

What do you think: should books be banned?

Wow, it's been a while ...

So, I'm back!

Monday I start my first grad class in pursuit of my Masters Degree. I just finished reading Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon. Among so many great words about creativity, I found a theme or motif that God has been speaking to me about this summer.

Stop waiting for the right time or the right place. Do what you love in the place you are in, with the time you currently have.

Now, I know that so often plans are made in excitement and then quickly forgotten when issues and conflicts arise. My goal is to do my best to take time each day to work and exercise in the giftings, talents, and interests God has given me.

So I guess all that's left to say is ... here goes nothing! :)

www.austinkleon.com

New Adventute

It's the night before the first day of school and the house is quiet. It's just me and Joe here now. Jana's off on her first year of college and Ben's well into soccer practice for year three. I start a new job tomorrow and I'm laying here like its just another day. 

God really worked a miracle in the finding, receiving and transitioning of this job. It's really all I can say. There is absolutely no way it should have worked out as smoothly as it did and yet here it is: the first day of school. 

I'm starting my dream job tomorrow. Well as close as I can get to my dream job that is not on the mission field. I'm teaching 8th grade writing. Now if I could have chose any profession in the world with no thought of money, writer would be way up there on the list. So the fact that I get to spend my days teaching middle schoolers to write is just amazing. I get to share my love of writing with them and watch their creativity explode off the page. 

It must just simply be peace because as I lay here thinking through it all I am just calm. No nerves, no butterflies, just calm. It's as if I'm walking toward my destiny for this phase of life and all is grand. 

I know. Big words that are usually followed by a figurative glance over your shoulder. But really. I am just excited and ready for a new adventure that brings with it even more opportunities for even bigger adventures. 

So to go with my figurative theme. Here it is: a figurative toast to the first day of school -- which is always the start of a new adventure. 

Last day

The last day of a great adventure is always bitter sweet. You're sad to leave but know that even more adventures lie ahead. That's how I feel about Honduras. I can't believe we head back home tomorrow!

This week has been full of ups and downs, great times and leaning experiences. 

Three of our team members got sick this week. Unfortunately I was the last of the three. I had a fever for 2 days straight and a terrible cough. Fortunately those symptoms are nearing an end as of this afternoon. I'm still a bit foggy and my nose is running but I think the fever is officially gone. I'm still taking Tylenol around the clock though just to be safe. 

On a positive note, we have ministered to over 1500 people this week! We saw kids in the camp, in villages, churches, parks and the orphanage. We're praying God will take the seed we planted and help it grow and mature as the children grow. 

This week our camp director and van driver was a Honduran man named Josías (pronounced Ho-see-us). He spoke some English but always managed to communicate and get us where we needed to be. Here is a picture of him and his wife, Karen. 

They have been married for one year and are working to build a house near the camp. They are some of the sweetest people I have met. At dinner I would talk to Karen. She would practice her English and I would practice my Spanish. It was a great combination. Josías has worked with Randy (the missionary that we are working with) for about 7 years. He was a great man to work with all week. 

Randy's son Kaleb came along as well. He acted as translator when we needed it and played soccer with the kids everywhere we went. Here is Kaleb at the orphanage. 

He lives in the states but tries to make it down here each month. He was a great asset to have. 

Today we checked out of Las Glorias Hotel and headed back toward San Pedro Sula. On the way we stopped to check out this beauty. 

After that we headed into the city for our final afternoon and evening in Honduras. We went to a market to pick up some souvenirs and then headed back to Grand Hotel Sula to rest until dinner at 7. I can't believe how quickly this week has come to a close. I will definitely be leaving a piece of my heart in Honduras. Such a great time with such a great people. 

Loving it

So we haven't had wifi for a few days now but it's back tonight so I'll drop a quick update. 

We have been having a blast down here in Honduras. The first two days we ministered at the kids camp. We grew more attached each day. Today we visited a local village in the mountains, an orphanage, and a school for children with special needs. The kids at the orphanage broke our hearts as they clung to our necks and waists. There was a girl that only arrived yesterday. They didn't even know her name. She was about a year old. She was so precious. In my head I named her Emilia Joy. Here is her picture. 

It broke my heart to leave her behind. Surprise mom and dad, you're getting a grandchild! Just kidding. 

I'm getting great practice with my Spanish. I laugh every time one of my team members calls me over to translate. It brings me joy to be able to communicate and love on these kids. 

I can't believe it's the third day and yet I can't believe we're leaving so soon. We are having an absolute blast and look forward to each new day. Here are a few more pictures for your enjoyment. 

Ps I'm leaving my heart in Honduras. 

First day!

Well this isn't going to be too long but we made it to Honduras and our first day of camp. The children were absolutely adorable and we enjoyed ourselves probably as much as they enjoyed being there. 

I'll include a picture or two but I'll save most for when I return. Wifi is a bit limited. I'll try to update a little as much as I can. Thanks for praying!!

Almost ready!

I am writing to you from my cell phone app this evening to see what it will be like in Honduras. So far so good. 

Well, I head out on my trip in approximately 36 hours. Craziness. I cannot believe it has arrived so quickly. It seems as if it was just a few weeks ago that I was filling out the application and praying about if this was the right trip for me.  And now here it is!

We fly out of BWI on Saturday morning and land in San Pedro Sula Saturday evening. The place we are staying is about an hour and a half from the airport.  Sunday will be our first day at the camp and our first real experience in Honduras. To say I am excited is an understatement. It's taken a while to get to this place, but ready or not, we'll be off shortly! 

I have never been good at packing. It is not a strength of mine. Currently I have things all over my bed and room waiting to be strategically arranged in one large suitcase and one carry on. We shall see how well it goes. I need to do one more load of laundry and then I think I will have everything I need. I spent about 2 hours today running around to various stores to pick up last minute items to either take for myself or for the hundreds of children we will be meeting. Now to just fit it all in my luggage. 

I wanted to take a quick second before I go and finish my preparations to say that I appreciate every one of you who is reading this and praying for our team. You are just as important to this trip as the members of our team. Your support is making this possible. So thank you!

I will try to update this as frequently as possible throughout the trip. Feel free to post questions or comments and I will try to answer them in the next post. 

Well, as I've clearly described, I have lots of packing left to do before I go, so this is farewell for now. Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers!