Hello, everyone. We are beginning a new unit with our eighth graders on the Holocaust. An interesting fact we have learned is that the word "holocaust" actually means "total burning." I've heard it said that during World War II, Europe was on fire, and I know that it was meant figuratively, but it was literal as well. As part of his plan to control people, Hitler burned books that spoke out against his ideas. When people censor writers, they are preventing readers from making their own decisions about ideas presented in books. Every reader deserves to read what he or she wants to read, and form opinions about that information. If we allow censorship to continue, we face total control from an elite group that may not represent our own ideas. Read a banned book in protest for censorship!

Remember to work on your homework reading and getting those book logs turned in on Mondays with parent signatures.

Mrs. Short