Comments on: 28 & Beyond: The Making of Dr. Truelove

By: Derrick Barnes «

Derrick Barnes « — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 10:47:14 +0000

[...] Barnes is no stranger to the Brown Bookshelf community. Last year, we did a spotlight on his book The Making of Dr. Truelove as well as announced the debut of the Ruby and the Booker Boys series. In case it is not clear, [...]

By: Paula

Paula — Fri, 23 May 2008 15:12:45 +0000

Absolutely Erin. Quote away.

The fact that you’re only allowing the high schoolers to check out the book solves any issue, in my eyes. It’s meant for older teens and you’ve put the measurement in place to ensure that guideline is followed.

But I believe reminding folks that “Ya reflects teen life” not dictate it, is a pretty good defense. There will always be those who are staunchly against sex, drugs and other “taboo” topics in YA fiction – but no matter what books remain a safe place to explore taboo. Where else are you allowed to “see” the introspection of the character’s as they make decisions vs. only seeing the decision acted out.

By: Erin

Erin — Thu, 22 May 2008 18:23:08 +0000

I’m facing a book challenge related to Dr. Truelove in my urban charter school library. Not only does the administrator want the book removed, I may face censure for selecting it in the first place. Our library is a combination middle school/high school library, but I don’t allow middle school students to check out the book, and the student whose parents complained is in high school.

May I quote this entry in my defense?

thanks,

Erin

By: Miss Jenn

Miss Jenn — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:57:44 +0000

As a teen librarian I enjoy reading your site. I love The Making of Dr. Truelove. It’s an easy sell to the teens in my library. Sometimes all I do is show them the cover and they want to read it.

Thank you Derrick for your insight!

Keep up the wonderful work!

By: Carla Sarratt

Carla Sarratt — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:43:23 +0000

Derrick,

Wow! Thanks for stopping by and checking us out. Paula’s review has peaked my interest in reading your book. I visited your site and liked the information about your other books for younger readers.

By: Paula

Paula — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:50:54 +0000

Derrick, thanks for stopping through and for adding another positive reflection of the African American teen experience into the mix.

By: Derrick Barnes

Derrick Barnes — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 04:28:48 +0000

Thank you so much for this very honest, right-on-point review. This is by far the closest POV to mine that I’ve read so far.

One of the main things I wanted to do was create a character that was a polar opposite to everything that we see in popular culture that describes young black men; very one dimensional images of us as savages, dope dealing, dunking, fast running spear chucking minstrel players. Diego is an intellectual, very mature, and a real romantic at heart. And despite everything around him, especially J, that says what he should be doing, he follows his heart and fights for the girl of his dreams.

Again, I say thank you. Check out my site and the rest of my little catalog of books.
Keep doing what you guys do. I love it.

peace and blessings

Derrick Barnes
derrickbarnes.com