Banned Books Week: What Do You Think of Book Banning?

[ProxyMom]

When I was in high school I did a telling of the Cook's Tale, as the Swedish Chef (complete with accent & mixing bowl.)

So, screw you guys, Canterbury Tales ROCKED. Well, at least mine did.

[bekqua]

I also find it interesting that someone else would consider The Crucible to be Christian, because I just this week had a student who asked for an alternative assignment because he and his guardians feel that it is too un-Christian for their tastes. With the elements of witchcraft in the town, I guess. I understand that is their right and I will provide him an alternative assignment, but ugh....they are totally missing the point of the entire play.

I'm an English teacher, so I think all book banning/censorship is unnecessary (I actually typed stupid, but then I censored myself ). When I teach The Crucible, I'm not promoting witchcraft. It's about things getting out of hand and unnecessary accusations and hysteria. It's about Joseph McCarthy and the 1950s.

I can't speak to elementary books, because I'm just not familiar. But in high school, let the kids read. A lot of those books that kids read in high school that others have issue with are books that show the mistakes our country (or our world) has made and serve as warnings to repeating those mistakes. I don't see what's wrong with that.

[fibromom]

I absolutely disagree with book banning! I was on a website the other night that had the top 10 banned/challenged books from previous years (I can't remember which year it was,maybe 2005) and I was kind of surprised to see "Captain Underpants" was one of them. Well, I am definetely guilty of letting my boys read that one! But it isn't the only book series they read, so doesn't it even itself out?

When he was in about 4th grade DS loved Captain Underpants.
Oops, Oh well, they are gonna know all this stuff anyway.

[Jennifer Brown]

And remember...Garbage In, Garbage Out.

Ouch. I know you're not talking about Hate List. Right??? ...Right??? Quick, someone get the smelling salts...

[seabiscuit]

When I was in high school I did a telling of the Cook's Tale, as the Swedish Chef (complete with accent & mixing bowl.)

So, screw you guys, Canterbury Tales ROCKED. Well, at least mine did.

Oh. My. Gosh. That's FABULOUS!

I think I see the basis for a meetup...

[cnnplus5]

I also find it interesting that someone else would consider The Crucible to be Christian, because I just this week had a student who asked for an alternative assignment because he and his guardians feel that it is too un-Christian for their tastes. With the elements of witchcraft in the town, I guess. I understand that is their right and I will provide him an alternative assignment, but ugh....they are totally missing the point of the entire play.

I'm an English teacher, so I think all book banning/censorship is unnecessary (I actually typed stupid, but then I censored myself ). When I teach The Crucible, I'm not promoting witchcraft. It's about things getting out of hand and unnecessary accusations and hysteria. It's about Joseph McCarthy and the 1950s.

I can't speak to elementary books, because I'm just not familiar. But in high school, let the kids read. A lot of those books that kids read in high school that others have issue with are books that show the mistakes our country (or our world) has made and serve as warnings to repeating those mistakes. I don't see what's wrong with that.

ITA

[hotmomma]

And remember...Garbage In, Garbage Out.

Ouch. I know you're not talking about Hate List. Right??? ...Right??? Quick, someone get the smelling salts...

I am ashamed to say my copy sits unread at the moment. Therefore, I can honestly say, I most certainly am NOT talking about Hate List.

[annieinkansas]

When kids read books they get ideas.

[Jennifer Brown]

When kids read books they get ideas.

Sometimes they get ideas to WRITE books!

[debcb]

And, sometimes those ideas lead to great books.