Character Under Attack: & What You Can Do about It

To say that there is a "major role" for children's storybooks, is too narrow and limited. No one has the right to decide what the main focus of children's literature should be. Literature is an art form, and it's content should not be dictated by one group. In my 25 years of raising children, I have seen this contention between the "professionals" and parents (the real professionals). The picture books that teach moral lessons seem to receive awards for parents groups and harsh criticism from educators. In this case, many educators and librarians feel that moral messages have no place in children's picture books. But isn't this stance a classic example of what preachy and didactic is? "This is what we feel is right for children's books - our way or the highway." Some of the reviews of children's books who choose to take the path of moralizing or teaching values have ranged from unkind to bordering hostile. How can educators teach children tolerance towards those of a different opinion, if they can't master the quality themselves? Children's books, like the whole of education, has to do more than amuse. Children need certain lessons to prepare them for life. Books that are artistic and entertaining have value, as do books that instruct, and teach moral lessons. Parents have the right to choose from a variety of books for their kids. Apples, oranges and pears - there's room in the fridge for all three.

Americans take pride in their moral heritage; however, America has seen a drift from its core values and a resultant moral decline. In "Character Under Attack & What You Can Do about It" Carl Sommer examines the spirit of America's founding fathers in light of the current climate of violent crime, prison population, and the philosophical battle, and cultural war being raged in our country today. Sommer attributes this crisis to the fact that character is under attack in our nation. He concludes that this erosion of values has serious implications for both our schools and society. Sommer quotes from scholars, philosophers, educators, politicians, and theologians as he presents his case for a return to character education programs and traditional values in our schools. The final chapter contains practical helpful "Actions to Promote Educational Success." Sommer discusses four keys to successful schools. He highlights four model schools that are making a difference, and offers "Action Steps" for educators, parents, and concerned citizens to affect positive results. Sommer writes out of a genuine concern for the direction American education is taking. He is articulate in communicating these issues and speaks for millions of concerned Americans. "Character Under Attack" is thoroughly researched and well documented. This is an important and timely book and should be in the hands of every concerned parent, school administrators, librarians, and our elected officials.

This is a small but powerful book. It challenges us to look at society in a different way and to rise up and do something about it. We need to return to the values that this great country was based on. I also believe that we have fallen away from the morals this nation was founded on. When do we actually change? Only when we have our backs against the wall and we have to do something. This book puts us against the wall so we have to look at our lives. Not everyone enjoys being challenged. But the only way we usually do something is when we are challenged.

A successful businessman and educator, Carl Sommer noticed an interesting phenomenon. While his children's books that were designed to teach moral lessons to children received awards from parents' groups and children's groups, academic reviewers consistently panned the books for their moralizing. Children loved the books, but educators did not - what was going on? Examining the American educational culture, Mr. Sommer shows that the reigning philosophy of the education establishment embraces a moral relativism and situation ethics that finds such books as his to be repugnant. (Though books that teach about openness, inclusion, environmentalism, and other "approved" morals are applauded.) And, what has been the effect of forty years of such a philosophical education? A culture in which violence, cheating, and "helping yourself" gets full play. After examining the depth and breadth of the problem, Mr. Sommer dives into a course of action for returning morals and educational excellence to America's schools. Now, first off, I must say that this is a very small book - 7.5" x 5.5", and taking up all of 95 pages, including the title pages, index and so forth. But, Mr. Sommer packs quite a punch in this little book. Many people, on both the right and the left, see a problem with American culture, and its loss of ethics (Enron, Dan Rather & faked documents, etc.). The author of this book doesn't just bemoan the problem; he actually gives the reader ideas on what he or she can do. As you can tell, I enjoyed this book, and think that the author is correct. A growing phenomenon in American schools is the movement back to teaching values, and this is one of the books that are being read by those behind that movement. I highly recommend this book to everyone!