Challenge the first:
The Chocolate War, AGAIN, but this time in Chicago:
Nick Cortesi, who has a 2nd grader and a kindergartner at Kinzie, said school officials should remove the book because of its inappropriate content and adult themes.
"I'll be dammed if they are going to be reading this filth," Cortes said. "The issue is over whether it's age-appropriate. What about the parents who are tax payers? Have we no say?"
"I'll be dammed if they..." Hee.
Another parent (one who actually has a seventh-grader) is concerned that his fourth-grader will overhear something inappropriate if the seventh-graders discuss their school reading in the hallway. Wow. If a book sparked so much interest that the students wanted to talk about it on their own, in their free time -- instead of, say, how drunk Britney supposedly was before the VMAs -- you'd think that people would want to hold onto it.
It sounds like the school is going the hardcore route and refusing to offer an alternate selection to students who object to the reading. (Or to those students whose parents object to the reading.) Seems like it would be easier on everyone (except, of course, the teachers) to offer an alternate selection, but I can certainly understand the school's frustration.
Challenge the second:
Fair and Tender Ladies in Virginia:
After someone whom school officials have so far not identified complained verbally about the book, "Fair and Tender Ladies," one School Board member wants it removed from the high school supplementary reading list.
There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of information about the challenge -- just that a School Board member wanted it pulled, there was a 6-1 vote that resulted in the book staying on the list, but now a more formal review is set to begin.
When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops? and others at a public library in Arizona:
Patrons' complaints about the Phoenix New Times and comedian George Carlin's audio book, When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops? could have them yanked from library shelves if the Chandler Library Board agrees they're too racy, irreverent or politically incorrect for public consumption.
Two others - a children's book about a racing sperm and a fairy tale DVD narrated by Robin Williams - may be moved out of the children's area because of parents' complaints.
The lady who raised the complaint about George Carlin was "shocked" by his language, which leads me to believe that she may have been living under a rock until just recently. Just because of the cover art, I'm dying to read the book about racing sperm -- apparently, it's called Where Willy Went. The article mentions that Faerie Tale Theatre is also under fire, so I'd assume that's the problem DVD and that the specific one in question is The Frog Prince, which stars Robin Williams. Maybe because we get to see his hairy, hairy chest?
Oh, brother, maybe parents should actually READ "The Chocolate War" and learn a little something. But, no, I suppose they're all busy learning about school shootings from stellar books like Jodi Picoult's "Nineteen Minutes." Yuck.
Posted by: Nonanon | 20 September 2007 at 09:47 AM
We have Where Willy Went at our library, it's cute, a pre-school book about the reproductive system, if I remember correctly. However, mostly what I remember is the fact that I can't see this book without giggling like a middle schooler because of all the names that they could have picked, they had to go with "willy"... which as we all know is a slang term, making the title "where willy went" hilarious.
Posted by: Alys | 20 September 2007 at 10:06 AM
Yeah, I had the giggles about that even before I saw the cover art.
Posted by: Leila | 20 September 2007 at 10:09 AM
In Faerie Tale Theatre production of "The Frog Prince," Robin Williams refers to the princess as a "bitch." I'm gonna guess that's the reason for the complaint. Sheesh, what was Shelly Duvall thinking?
Posted by: Brooke | 20 September 2007 at 12:37 PM
Wow, I totally don't remember that, and I watched all of them (except The Nightingale) about a billion times growing up. Is it after she throws him into the wall?
Posted by: Leila | 20 September 2007 at 01:02 PM
I've read Where Willy Went several times; I've even used it in a statewide presentation... as an example of what NOT to buy. It is a poor example of a sex-education picture book and I'm not the least bit surprised parents are challenging it. Every adult I have shown it to reads it, laughs hysterically, then says, "WHO would PUBLISH THIS?" While I'm not advocating censorship in any way, my budget dollars are far too precious to waste on this ridiculous title. There are much better choices out there.
Posted by: Elementary Librarian | 20 September 2007 at 01:25 PM
Well, there's definitely a difference between collection development and censorship. (I mean, I know that. Some people don't seem to get it, but that's their deal. Ya can't buy 'em all.)
But now I want to read it even MORE. (That's ridiculous, isn't it? Ah, well. It just looks so... silly.)
Posted by: Leila | 20 September 2007 at 01:29 PM
Haha, my mom wouldn't let us watch The Frog Prince - that reminds me that I ought to ask her why! But I do love me some Faerie Tale Theatre.
Posted by: jessmonster | 20 September 2007 at 02:19 PM
My kid LOVES Where Willy Went, and totally gets it too, which is more than I can say for myself. I wouldn't count on it as the main source for reproductive info, but it's silly and funny and what's wrong with that?
Posted by: web | 20 September 2007 at 04:11 PM
"Where Willy Went" manages to keep from being too naughty. There's really nothing graphic. It's just a race between Willy and his 300 million fellow sperm. Two "maps" leading from Mr. Brown to Mrs. Brown wouldn't pass muster at MapQuest, let alone a porn site. It's a cute book designed to inspire some guilty giggles, but doesn't impart much info on human sexuality. "It's Not the Stork" is a much better book for that.
Posted by: Anne | 20 September 2007 at 04:20 PM
Oh my gosh, I bought that "Where Willy Went" book for my sister as a joke present right before she got married. She and her husband are pretty conservative, but they both thought it was hilarious and in fact have it out still as their coffee table book. Some people are just nuts.
Posted by: Kristi | 20 September 2007 at 07:18 PM
Yay! You gave a shout to to Britney. :) Had to note the occasion.
Posted by: AdamWade | 20 September 2007 at 07:47 PM
I would seriously love to go ANYWHERE and hear seventh graders discussing a book they were all excited about. And I read "The Chocolate War" back in the day, and all these years later have still managed to lead a normal life. I'm sure I just got lucky.
Posted by: oolookitty | 20 September 2007 at 07:50 PM