As some of you know, the students in my English 2 class at Lehigh University became members of a group I created for my class on book banning, the U.L.S. or the Underground Library Society.
It is based on Ray Bradbury’s extraordinary novel Fahrenheit 451 in which the owning and reading of books is a criminal act. A group of seeming nomads attempt to save books by “becoming” them. They memorize books in the hope that one day books will again be able to be printed.
My students had to choose a book they would become, blog about it, and create a poster featuring the logo of the group: a book with the letters ULS on it. Additionally, they put the title of the book and a statement about it on the poster. This was one of the most successful class activities that I have had the pleasure of assigning and witnessing in my time as a teacher.
I spoke with the class and asked if they would like to open membership in the ULS to everyone, and they enthusiastically said yes. I am very proud of this wonderful group of students.
My invitation is this–would you like to become a member of the ULS? All that is necessary is to chose a book you would memorize if you had to in order to save it, to design a small poster about the book, and to put it up somewhere. For those of you who chose to join, please either do a post about your book and poster or reply here.
Again, I am very proud of my students!
Please join us!
Very interesting. Tell me more. Do you have to memorize the book, word by word?
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is what would be done if the situation ever came to that–of book banning. For the purposes of this society, one paragraph memorized is sufficient.
LikeLike
One para, I can do!! In school I had to memorize The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now that was quite a bit of memorizing to do!
LikeLike
Yeah!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And… the way political leadership is going.. don’t be surprised if books are banned.. when I was in China, there were a few books that were banned
LikeLiked by 1 person
I understand, and I hope this will never be needed, but we must be vigilant.
LikeLike
Agreed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Also, books only by Western authors?
LikeLiked by 1 person
No. This is for all books!
LikeLike
i would love to join –
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you do!
LikeLike
The Underground Library Society ( ULS) is a wonderful idea and your students are amazing. Thank you for a great concept to establish this precedent. who knows when we may actually need this to keep literature safe from overbearing religious and political groups from banning more books in their narrow minded views.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Karen, you are very welcome, and I hope we never need this, but as you said, that is something we must guard against.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely, Charles, because the banning of books has happened in so many countries and could easily happen here too. Thank you for this wonderful idea. Karen 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ohhh, this sounds like fun! I’m definitely in. I know exactly which book I’m going to choose.
Also, is there any chance I could do my post as a guest post on your blog? It wouldn’t really fit on my own blog, with it’s narrow topic range.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would be fine. Simply write it up, and send it to me, and I will post it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Charles! I’ll send it your way when I’m done – probably in a month or so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I look forward to it! And you are welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know I’m in, Charles. With the school year nearly over, will the ULS continue next year? If so, I will present the idea to my public library. And, to a few public school teachers who put literacy and books as #1.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jennie, Yes I would like to keep the ULS continuing next year and beyond. And I am happy to talk or write to anyone about what we did. That is very exciting that you will present the idea to like minded folks! Thanks, Charles.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome. It is late enough in the current school year that I will get things rolling in September.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on K. D. Dowdall and commented:
I’m in! I am joining the Underground Library Society! Now, we just need a list of banned books, because fantasy, fairy tales, science fiction, are always on the block to be banned – consider Harry Potter – a religious group wanted it banned. Unbelievable. So – be afraid, very afraid, because who knows, your book you be next! Join the ULS!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Karen, Thank you so much for joining!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, Charles. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
This is so awesome!! What a creative idea!! Your students are very lucky to have such a teacher, this is an experience they’ll never forget! Kudos teach! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
I wanted to reblog this post–does anyone else want to join The Underground Library Society?
LikeLike
What a fantastic way to inspire your students. Bravo! If teachers taught like this during school years, there would be far more people reading world wide.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
An excellent idea and exercise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks!
LikeLike