Very offensive

Teen Mom's photo banned from High School yearbook

Isn't it ironic how some members of society chooses to disparage teens who choose abortion then turn around and do the same thing to this teen who decided to keep her baby. What message us society sending to young pregnant teenage females? Being a good and loving parent is the greatest achievement any parent can aspire to achieve. The only message that excluding this teen's photo from the year book sends to pregnant teens is to get rid of it or face the ire of a duplicitous society.

For those of you unaware of this recent news story here is what happen. Wheatmore High School located in Trinity , N.C. Banned the photo of teen mom Caitlin Tiller holding her son. Apparently the school invited all seniors to include a prop in their senior picture that represents an achievement or something that best represents them. The school did not include rules or requirements as far as props goes. Students chose everything from baseballs, band instruments to family pets. Caitlin Tiller chose her son, Leelin.

Her reason for choosing her son? Well , he helped her get to where she is today and she wouldn't be the person she is today without him. Since her son's birth, she has worked harder in school and graduated early. She has even started college this past January , all while working more than 30 hours a week at her part time job and taking care of her son.

Truly this teenage mom should be praise for her accomplishments of raising her baby , and continuing her education. However , in April just two days before the yearbook was to be printed, the school staff informed This young mother that her picture was being pulled because it promoted teen pregnancy. Teen pregnancy is not what this mother was trying to promote but responsibility and love.

I for one is very proud of this young lady, she didn't let becoming a teen mom stop her from achieving her dreams.

Freckle juice by Judy Blume

Wonderful story about a grade school boy who desperately wants to look like someone else, and in the end learns to love himself just the way he is. Wonderful way for children to learn respect and self-esteem.
Andrew and Nicky are typical of children in that they think the features of others are better than their features so they have a desire to change. This story is a lesson in that reality of life, so it is a good one for children. A desire for change is sometimes good, but foolish when it is something that cannot be changed. Drastic attempts can lead to dire consequences and there will always be unscrupulous people who will offer you solutions that will not work and that may be dangerous.

Precious and the Boo Hag by Patricia C. McKissack & Onawumi Jean Moss

Never let strangers into the house! Mind your manners! Always tell the truth! This book teaches age-old childhood lessons in a fun way. When her big brother warns her about the Boo Hag, "She's tricky and she's scary and she tries to make you disobey yo' mama...Pruella is strange from head to toe. She aine none too smart, got no manners, hates clean water, can change her shape, and tells whoppers." Precious has no idea how tricky a Boo Hag can be. With quick wit (and hilarious sing-song taunts) Precious teaches the Boo Hag a lesson she won't soon forget.
I fell in love with this book the first time I read it. This book begs to be read aloud. It has predictability, repetition, and a child hero that outwits the villain. Children of all ages will love this story.

The All-I'll-Ever-Want Christmas Doll by Patricia C. McKissack

This book resonates with me because of the lessons it teaches, but the great thing is that Patricia C. McKissack gets these lessons across so well that kids who read it won't feel like they're being "preached" at. Three of the most important lessons I got from the book are:

1. People are more important than things
First, McKissack does a beautiful job of demonstrating through a bit of humor that people are indeed more important than things. When Nella first claims Baby Betty as her own, she has a great time playing all alone with her...for a while. Then Nella gets increasingly frustrated when Baby Betty doesn't respond to her stories or songs until she finally sees her sisters in the other room having a great time playing together and feels sad and lonely. It's not until she invites her sisters to join her and Baby Betty for tea that she truly has a good time. In fact EVERYONE has a good time, and Nella is finally able to say it was the best Christmas ever.

2. Be thankful for what you have
The second lesson the book teaches us it to be thankful for what you have. The Pearson's have to fill the cracks and line the walls with newspaper to keep the cold out. They are in the Great Depression, and money (and work and food and toys) is hard to come by. Yet, when the girls receive their bags of raisins and nuts for Christmas, they are very pleased because it's the most they've ever received. And when they get the Baby Betty doll, they are excited beyond belief. Children who are used to receiving tons and tons of gifts may be horrified at the meager gifts the girls receive, and it's a perfect opportunity to let them know that are many kids out there who are less fortunate than them. It could also be a good time to introduce them to charitable giving and get them involved in helping out kids who are less fortunate. Perhaps volunteer at a local food bank, participate in a toy drive, or "adopt a family" for the holidays. Your children may have great pleasure going out and finding the "perfect" gift.

3. Share what you are fortunate enough to have Finally, McKissack shows us that by sharing what you do have, everyone wins. Nella is miserable until she asks her sisters to join in the fun and have tea with "their" Baby Betty doll. A great lesson, especially if you have kids who squabble over toys and other things a lot.

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe

This book is a must for all young African American girl's. I've loved this book ever since I saw it on "Reading Rainbow" as a child,(now the theme song is stuck in my head) . where the story is read by my favorite actress Phylicia Rashad. For whatever reason the book was burned into my memory and I was always delighted whenever it was featured on the show. The story, the illustrations... everything made a huge impression on me. SO, as an adult I was anxious-excited and anxious-apprehensive to find out if the book would still be as wonderful as I remembered. This story is definitely a book for the ages. It's part African fairy tale, part sibling rivalry story, It also teaches kids not to be vain and be selfish, but to be kind and help others. A tale of kindness and selfishness, and their corresponding consequences. A chance for girls to see that beauty goes deeper than the skin. Inner beauty will always out shine outter beauty any day. It also teaches kids not to be vain and be selfish, but to be kind and help others. One of the best books for children ever written. Ever. Complete with a surprise ending, a touch of magic, and a moral message, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters is a wonderful story, one book that every bookshelf must have. The story emphasizes the true ugliness of getting to the top no matter what, while at the same time showing the beauty of compassion, empathy, and taking the time to make true connections with others and embracing their essence. These are values that we must instill within our children: one cannot be mean to others and prosper on that.Kindness and gentleness can make good things happen in everyones life. People have to prove that they're worthy of someones love and respect.


A beautifully illustrated story where good triumphs over evil. Both sisters must pass several tests , in order to be considered the most beautiful and the most worthy daughter for the prince to marry, their true characters are tested, through these tests, It shows how people can be generous and kind or mean and selfish. It also describes the difference it makes to be kind. In the long run, the nice people get rewards that they deserve. While the ones that are only out for themselves are not rewarded. The moral of the story is, of course, that to be good and kind is far better than to be cold and mean; and how the force of personality can open a new life. Inspired by an African folktale, the two sisters are both beautiful, but the beauty of one, Manyara, is only external. Her sister, Nyasha, is beautiful inside and out. And her goodness doesn't consist just of doing what she's told to do. She's kind to all creatures, even Manyara. Furthermore, the king chooses her to be his queen not because of her beauty, but because he has secretly seen her her kindness and generosity (and her sister's meaness) in action. He chooses a good soul, not just a beautiful face. This African "Cinderella" folktale tells a much truer message than conventional European versions of the story. As the sister of our heroine is also beautiful and intelligent, the central character trait praised here is not beauty or charm, but kindness and compassion.

And as if that weren't enough, the illustrations in this book are sheer magic, breathtaking; they are artwork unto themselves, absolutely beautiful. The details almost look more life-like than photographs. The way lighting is used is amazing, and they are just stunning pictures. This is a book that touched me deeply as a child and still does to this day

Striped Ice Cream by Joan M. Lexau

I remember reading this for the first time at about the age of 9 and loving it. I recently picked up a copy for my collection of childhood favorites and have re-read it several times since. The story still rings with impact and life-lessons that still apply in today's world. Becky's insights are wise beyond her own years, and the journey to her birthday is unforgettable. Despite their lack of money, the family dearly loves one another . The characters are so real, and you become involved in what they feel. The mother does a fantastic job of being a single parent to five children during a time (1960's?) when it was neither common or accepted. Inspite of difficult times, the family's strong ties to each other and their fine character would serve as excellent role models for any child today. The main story line is "peppered" with moments of humor and warmth of a close family. Despite family hardships and personal sadness, Becky finds happiness in the smallest pleasures--a new dress, spaghetti with chicken and striped ice cream It still made me cry at the end. I love the story and characters in this book.