Dont Miss Jeff Smith, Professors, etc. on this Canadian Telecast

Click here to see Jeff Smith and others answer questions on comics/graphic novels, the classroom, and learning. Or, just scroll down. Listen to a woman call comics "quick, easy" and suggest the idiotic idea that the visual elements of comics take away from students' ability to use their imaginations. Jeff Smith's reaction is priceless. He reminds us of the complexity of process as well as reminds us that comics evoke reader response.



We (cartoonists, comics scholars, and comics-and-literacy advocates) fight SOOOO much ignorance, even from otherwise "educated" people. Thank goodness we get a mix of ideas here.

Eh? More like "Yeh!"

Review of _Tall Tales_ (Bone)

If I told you I wanted to share with you reflections on a story called "Big Johnson Bone vs. The Cobbler Gobbler," would you think my thoughts would be safe for work?

Despite the adulterated interpretation that particular short story might inspire, the latest installment of Jeff Smith's Bone series, Tall Tales, crafted with help from Tom Sniegoski, retains the core texts' jovial spirit and enjoyable readability. Sure, there are obligatory gas gags and over-inflated rhetoric, but that's all part of the fun.

The first story in Tall Tales is a framing device. Smiley and Bartelby the baby rat creature are now leaders of young Bone scouts rather than comic relief, and as they lead three scouts into the woods, they begin the series of tall tales. The first is very short and features Fone and Phoney acting true to form as they consider doing or not doing their laundry at Rose's request. Save for a few pages of frame narrative sprinkled about, the rest of the stories revolve around Big Johnson Bone, a larger-than-life Daniel Boone character with a stiff lower jaw and a legendary aire. And a funny name.

The first of the Johnson Bone tales is that of his birth, when, right from the womb, he whipped old man winter and brought the world spring. The second is a story of his young adulthood, when he falls in love with the rootin-tootin' Gertie while trying to defend his crown as the top food eater in all the land. Gertie's claim to fame is her ability to put away cobbler "as well as other food-type items," and Big John, as he is called in this short, mercifully, is impressed.

Alas, once John helps her win the eating contest by a smidge, the gas she passes is time the last the two ever see one another.

As someone who has recently defended Bone from censorship cases, the innuendo -- or possible innuendo -- here bothered me. I felt as though Sniegoski and Smith were trying to egg on those who claim that the other Bone books are more sexual and incendiary than they seem to be to most readers. True, one might say the perversion is in the mind of the reader, but if one wants to keep his texts considered kid-friendly and all-ages reading, I don't know why one would plant such obvious seeds.

The final story adds to the mythos of Big Johnson Bone and the stupid, stupid rat creatures, offering development on the legend of why rat creatures cut off their tales. It's the longest of the three and the biggest romp. The funnest too, if not because of the uncomfortable nuance of "The Cobbler Gobbler," a nuance that younger readers might not even consider, of course, making the text, generally speaking, a good one for most readers, just like the rest of the Bone books.

Tale Tales also features Smith's trademark tenderness and charm along with its adventure and bombast. Despite a bit of authorial trickstering I could have done without, Sniegoski and Smith add to the Bone saga admirably.

The Lovely Bone!

According to a District 196 representative, Bone will stay on the shelves of the district's local school libraries!!

The secret ballot vote in favor of the decision was 10-1. The voters consisted of five parents, three teachers, two media specialists and a principal.

The source tells me that media specialists used some quotes from my letter to the district as well as a personal letter from Jeff Smith (cool!!!) to help make the case for keeping the books. The complainant was also able to make a presentation.

The entire process was described as respectful and professional, which is nice to know as these things can get ugly quickly.

So, while we can, let us bask in this victory for the graphic novel and for freedom of choice and access in public schools!

UPDATE: We probably broke this news first, but now others are catching up. Here's the link to the story in the MN paper. And click here to see what the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund had to say about the decision. Tom Spurgeon covers the story too.

UPDATE UPDATE: ICV2 covers the story as well!

Press Release from District 196 (Bone Censorship Case)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press InquiriesTony Taschner, communications specialist
April 13, 2010
651-423-7775
tony.taschner@district196.org

Committee will hear request to remove book series from elementary libraries

ROSEMOUNT, Minn. – A District 196 Reconsideration Review Committee will meet April 27 to consider a request from a resident to remove a book series from the district’s elementary school libraries. The public is welcome to attend and observe the meeting, which will begin at 4:15 p.m. at the District Office in Rosemount.

An Apple Valley resident submitted a written request that the “Bone” series of books by Jeff Smith be removed from district elementary schools that currently have them as part of their library collections. The resident believes the books are not age appropriate due to references regarding drinking, smoking and sexual innuendo. Twelve of the district’s 18 elementary schools have at least one of the “Bone” books in their library. The books are available for students to check out but are not used for instructional purposes as part of classroom work.

District policy provides that a district resident, parent or guardian of a district student, adult student or district employee may request reconsideration of any instructional resource. If the person challenging the material requests that the resource be excluded, restricted or included for students other than his or her own children, it is reviewed by a Reconsideration Review Committee. The committee, which is assembled when needed, includes three teachers, five parents, an elementary principal, an elementary media specialist and a middle school media specialist. The committee will be facilitated by Steve Troen, director of Teaching and Learning, and Renee Ervasti, elementary curriculum coordinator.

Committee members will review the “Bone” books in advance and will discuss the series at the April 27 meeting, taking into consideration criteria used to select instructional resources for students and the quality of the material as a whole. At the meeting, the resident making the request and a district media specialist will each be given 15 minutes to present their positions on the reconsideration. After discussing alternatives, the committee will decide the acceptability of the book for elementary school students.

###

District 196 serves approximately 27,500 students in early childhood, K-12 and special education programs combined, and offers community education programs for residents of all ages. District 196 includes all or part of Rosemount, Apple Valley, Eagan, Burnsville, Coates, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville and Empire and Vermillion townships. For more information, visit www.district196.org.

MN Parent Complains About Bone

I hate to admit it, but due to a certain project I've got in the works, I've been waiting on a good comics censorship story. To date, 2010 has been pretty dull regarding libraries and schools and comics being questioned. But now? Now comes word that -- of all series -- Jeff Smith's Bone is being called into question.

Yes, the same Bone that me and many other educators feel is a great entry-level series for just about anyone old enough to read.

Ramona DeLay feels the graphic novel is not appropriate reading for her son, who attends Southwest Elementary and checked out the book from the school's library. DeLay wants the book withdrawn from the library because she feels the imagery, use of tobacco products, sexual tension between characters, gambling and alcohol use make the book too mature for her son.

No word on whether DeLay then went home and let her child watch the Shrek movies.

What is known is that on April 27, a review committee will meet to decide the fate of the title in this little Minnesota town. If the book can't be removed, DeLay would like to see some sort of rating system in place in her library, which mean she probably hasn't looked over the book as well as she's implied. Certainly, she doesn't seem to have checked out any of the many online and print sources that not only recommend the book but suggest audience levels as well.

To the credit of the school system, no one seems to be panicking. There are procedures in place, and no one is rushing to remove the text simply to placate the parent. Indeed, there seems to be some knowledge about Bone's reputation as an exemplar text, which is refreshing.

Tom Spurgeon has some commentary on the topic here.

I need to decide if I'm going to write a letter to the school board. I often do in cases of comics controversies in the schools. At the very least, it looks like I need to keep an eye on this and update the introduction for a certain CD-Rom project regarding censorship and graphica that should be available in the fall of 2010......

ICV2 Reveals Top Ten Kids Graphic Novel Properties for 2009

Neat list. Glad to see Bone making the top 10. If you want to visit the main site, they also have a list of top 10 super-hero properties for 2009.

Documentary on Jeff Smith on PBS

The Beat has the scoop on a television show featuring Bone creator Jeff Smith. Looks awesome!

Teacher Uses Mobile Apps to Teach Smith's _Bone_

"Teacher Eric Federspiel earned a grant that allowed him to bring 15 iPod Touches into the classroom. Here’s how he loaded them with comics-related learning opportunities." -- Comic Book Reporter.

Sounds pretty awesome! Bone is great enough to use in the classroom on its own. Add some tech, and wow!

Soon You Can Experience New Bone

Jeff Smith is going to continue his relationship with Scholastic and keep the Bone goodness coming. The Beat reports some previously-published material will be collected and new stories are on their way as well.