Nov 09 The Butterfly Effect

 At the recent Celebration of Excellence, issues were raised about the impact of media. These concerns included underpinning values that promote the commercialization of people as products, and emphasis on celebrity, appearance possessions and money. The book, The Butterfly Effect, by Danielle Miller, focuses on issues surrounding poor body image and the pressure girls face to “be perfect.” She challenges parents to help their daughters reject these stereotypes. Danielle’s book discusses  ways parents can stay connected or rebuild relationships with their daughters. She highlights the many similarities in the issues facing mothers and daughters. She also discusses the importance of mothers as good role models. The book discusses how teenage girls may appear mature, but they have the same emotional needs for reassurance and affection they had at seven. This does not mean wanting to be best friends, but focusing on a child’s positive qualities, finding mutual ground and giving them lots of affection.  See the Enlighten Education website www.enlighteneducation.com for weekly blogs with discussions about teenage girls and ‘girl world’ and ways to challenge images and stereotypes.

Headstart The media also has many good points. The Headstart section is published every Tuesday in the Courier Mail. Its website has more valuable material http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/extras/headstart/  http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/index/0,,16821,00.html Its blog has some great links on body image and worldwide women’s issues http://blogs.news.com.au/couriermail/education/index.php This article looks at why we need to raise bookworms in a pervasive media society. 

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24733088-16821,00.html

Books for brains Continuing the list of fiction for young people (and older readers too) that is “good for the brain,” try Candles at Dawn by Ural (Gallipoli), Chains (slave trade) and Chandra (India) by Hendry, Chanda’s Secrets by Stratton (aids in Africa), Girl Underground and Boy Overboard by Gleitzman (refugees), Homeless Bird by Whelan (India), and In the Jaws of the Sea by Higgins (environment).  (The full list can be found on the Library moodle site in the Reading section. Click on Other Reading Lists, then the file – Books for the Brain.)

The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins has recently released its second title, Catching Fire. This is a very compelling series, with a teenage female protagonist, and which connects with recent fascination with virtual reality television. It also looks at issues of appearance, poverty, power and media in the context of an action packed adventure novel. There are already plans to make the series into a movie. And talking about movies, it is recommended that you read The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, before watching the movie, The book is much more amazing than the movie, and much of the impact of the book will be lost if you know the ending.

Library staff send blessings to all Year 12 students as they commence their new journeys.