Yeah.
I don't get it either.
They also want the mayor to resign for allowing the book to be displayed. Or something.
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*In this case, 'Awesomely' is defined as 'totally batshittily crazily'. There are a lot of book challenges that, while I don't agree with them, I can at least sort of understand where the complainant is coming from. This one, not so much. Unless they're hoping that the ridiculousity will get them more attention, and thus, support? But then wouldn't the... I'm looking for a tactful word here... can't find one... insane nature of the suit work against them? Or is it just about the money?
AUGH! The horror! THE HORROR! I cannot believe you displayed that cover on your blog! I shall seek damages!
(Um, er, make that WTF?)
Posted by: Kelly Fineman | 11 June 2009 at 08:31 AM
Wow. Wish I could ...no. I guess I don't wish that. But if maybe these people could put out a manifesto, so the rest of us could know what they want, and maybe leave it in a field 100 miles from the rest of civilization?? That might work.
Posted by: tanita | 11 June 2009 at 09:14 AM
Just when I thought things couldn't be any crazier. No, wait...
Posted by: teacherninja | 11 June 2009 at 09:19 AM
I mean, and what strikes me as particularly heartbreaking is that a large portion of this book is a fever dream from after the main character is beaten and almost dies from being gay bashed. By nazi skinheads.
It is just astonishing. I mean, I wonder if the people even READ the damn book, or if they are like OMG TEH GAYYYYYYZZZZZ. TEH GAY IS CATCHING. It boggles my mind.
Posted by: bibliogrrl | 11 June 2009 at 10:03 AM
Bibliogrrl: Yeah, they probably do believe it's "catching". After all, many kids come out of the closet AFTER reading books like these...so that MUST be the right explanation, right???
Or else, could it be that gay kids are interested in books about gay kids? Maybe?
No, probably not. You know teenagers. Don't have a will, thoughts or feelings of their own, they just absorb what they read in evil gay propaganda books and BECOME GAY.
Man, this makes me angry. I thought this kind of thing wouldn't exist anymore, by now.
Posted by: Hannah | 11 June 2009 at 10:26 AM
Hannah - and what is even crazier is the fact that this book is ANCIENT as far as the world of YA books goes. It's 15 years old (well, almost). And there are FAR GAYER books with far more explicit content, so it's really interesting that they are focusing on this one, other than this was on display.
I need an aspirin.
Posted by: bibliogrrl | 11 June 2009 at 10:55 AM
I didn't know that! That's indeed very interesting, maybe it says something about the way these "movements" have evolved over the last few years, become more mainstream? Is it true that 15 years ago, a lot more was possible without fear of stepping on (influential) toes? That's so, so depressing. Things should be moving forward not backward.
And just the thought of burning books. God. It's so primitive. There's plenty of books I object to, and there are probably few books no one objects to when you think about it, but I'd never want to take away anyone's chance to read any book. Everyone has a right to their own interpretation, but it has got to be their own, no one can decide for anyone else what books they are allowed to read. Not even for children, I think, much less teenagers.
Posted by: Hannah | 11 June 2009 at 01:09 PM
bibliogrrl: I cannot stop laughing at your assertion that "ther are FAR GAYER books" out there. So true. And yet the way you said it cracked me the hell up.
Posted by: Kelly Fineman | 11 June 2009 at 02:21 PM
Seconded. bibliogrrl, you made me snort my tea.
Posted by: Leila | 11 June 2009 at 06:38 PM
I actually work at the library that this is happening at. At this point, it's just laughable.
Posted by: Rachel | 11 June 2009 at 07:14 PM
I heard about this one, and a little piece of my soul died. Of course, a larger, snarkier piece of my brain said, "Well, I want compensation for being forced to look at 'make your kid ungay!' books! Where's my zillion dollars?"
*snrk* at Bibliogrrl. Sadly, they probably had a list of EBIL GAY BOOKS OMG and went looking for them.
Posted by: Maureen | 12 June 2009 at 12:44 AM
Rachel, I am so sorry that you've been having to deal with it all. Is there anything we on the outside can do for you?
Posted by: Leila | 12 June 2009 at 11:06 AM
I wish these people would get lives. Like real lives, with real drama. A book cover traumatized them? Guess they have never had a dear friend or relative dying of cancer, guess they have never had a loved one incarcerated, guess they aren't in danger of losing their jobs or homes. (Bitter much? :) ) I bestow upon them the ancient Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times."
Posted by: sleepingkoala | 13 June 2009 at 05:03 PM