- From the San Jose Mercury News:
"Infanticide and killing old people off are really touchy issues, even for adults," said Mary Ellen Woods, parent of a student at Sequoia Middle School in Pleasant Hill. "I think parents would take issue with their kids being sold on these ideas without their supervision."
I'd think it would be impossible to read The Giver and come away from it with the opinion that Lois Lowry was trying to "sell" euthanasia or infanticide. Yeesh.
- In Iowa, Sue Corbett's 12 Again has been challenged for "use of profanity and a witchcraft-oriented plot". The challenger has asked that it be removed from the school library.
Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My niece went to Sequoia. We volunteered there.
It's gone straight to hell since I moved to the UK.
It's a tired old question, but honestly: DID SHE READ THE BOOK!!?
And seriously? Now I want to read 12 Again.
Posted by: TadMack | 06 November 2007 at 09:10 AM
(Okay, the "straight to hell" bit also might have to do with the fact that my niece is a senior this year, and my influence there has waned. Hah hah.)
Posted by: TadMack | 06 November 2007 at 09:11 AM
I love The Giver. I didn't even make the infanticide and euthanasia connections until after I read the book (at age 30) and read some reviews about why it is challenged. I was just in awe of the writing and the story. Of course, I was let down by Gathering Blue and haven't yet read The Messenger.
Posted by: Lady S | 06 November 2007 at 06:10 PM
I actually appreciated Gathering Blue more after reading Messenger. Or, at least, it made me want to re-read Gathering Blue.
For what it's worth, anyway.
Posted by: Leila | 06 November 2007 at 06:15 PM