About

I have a masters degree in Humanities with an emphasis in Children’s Literature from Prescott College. I also hold a NM teaching certificate with a Library Media Endorsement. I am a retired school librarian and have served at Mesilla Valley Christian School (MVCS) in Las Cruces, NM and Hilltop Christian school near Window Rock, AZ (on the Navajo Reservation). I previously taught Children’s Literature courses at Dona Ana Community College. I have worked in libraries for over 40 years. My posts are about books in our school library, that I may put in our school library, those I have read in conjunction with courses I’ve taught, or those I have been asked to help promote.

My background comes in to the reviews I write. Having served on the reservation, I have seen the devastation drugs and alcohol can have on families. I have also witnessed occult influences in those I worked with. My experience with Native Americans has also made me sensitive to how they are portrayed in literature. As a conservative Christian I am sensitive to language used. When I see a potential problem in a text, I will mention it in my review. It is my hope that by doing so, I will help librarians more informed as they make their purchasing decisions.

I have read thousands of children’s books, both with my children and with the children in the schools where I have worked. Most of the time, I think I have a pretty good sense of what books kids will and won’t read. I may mention in my reviews if I think a book is poorly written or will not have appeal to children.

I understand that authors have poured their hearts into their books and look to reviews for affirmation of a job well-done. However, my purpose for writing reviews is to assist librarians and parents in choosing books for children. When I first started purchasing books for my library, reviews didn’t say anything about my areas of concern – parental casual drinking, profane language, and other issues. I decided that others may have the same concerns as I do, so I started this blog. I hope it helps you choose books for the children in your area of influence.

 

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