teleplace = time vortex

Our controversial issues group met face to face to work on our project and get our room set up. I've discovered that Teleplace is going to be a time vortex. We worked on our project during what would have normally been our class time last week. We started at 5:30 and worked until we were literally kicked out at 9:00, then did 20 minutes more of talking in the parking lot. Then, when I got home, I got onto teleplace again to do a little work. Around 11:00, Lee Ann came into our room in teleplace and we talked and worked a little. Then, at 11:30, she dismissed herself to go to bed. She was the smart one. I worked and fiddled until 1:30 am!!!!Am I crazy???? The bottom line is that I don't have a lot of bang for my buck in Teleplace. There is not enough actual measured progress to justify the amount of time spent. I must exercise self control, which means, for now, I am staying out of our room because I have too much other stuff to do. I don't need another time vortex.

finished Once a Witch

Well, I just finished reading Once a Witch, by Carolyn MacCullough. It is a good feeling. The book was listed on VoYA's Top Shelf Fiction for 2009, and because the story involves witchcraft, I thought it would be good to read it with a school librarian's eye--with particular caution to determine if this book would be a likely candidate for future challenges. I have had to squeeze reading this book between the other readings and assignments I have had to do for my classes, so it has taken me a while to read. I would agree with the reviews I've read that it is a well-written book, intended for young adult readers. In the search for objectionable content, I found just a few curse words, mild references to sexual innuendo, and vague descriptions of rituals involved in witchcraft. Overall, I do not see much that a parent would boldy fight against, although I do not think I would choose it to read in the classroom in a group because of the language. There is an overall good verses evil, black vs. white magic theme, with the heroine representing the cause of good. The main character is somewhat of a misfit in her own family and later sees her true potential; the character is easily identifiable with the YA audience. Also, the action lends itself well to future books in a series. Frankly, I was hoping for a little more drama in the censorship department, but it just wasn't there, in my opinion. Maybe if the discussion of witchcraft were more prominent or more bold, there would be more controversy, but I just don't see it happening. The amount of witchcraft is suitable for the story without taking over, and there is just enough magic and fantasy to keep the reader interested.