Beware of the Book! Censorship

[forever1267]

But if you ban the book, the kids have more time to masturbate.

[pathtaken]

Aug 5, 2013 16:28:16 GMT -4 chonies said:

Oh yeah: another school year, another masturbation-based challenge to an award winning book. NY School district parent protests Sherman Alexie's Absolutely True Adventures of a Part-Time Indian.

‘It was like “Fifty Shades of Grey” for kids,’ said Kelly-Ann McMullan-Preiss, who refused to let her son read the book.

O RLY. And, unlikely.

Did you or narm ever read the book?

It was in the news today, banned in an Idaho school district.

I wish there were some interesting books on my kids school reading list. All they do is compain about how boring their books are.

[chonies]

I read it after this flared up--I love Sherman Alexie anyway, but I thought this was an excellent book. I know almost nothing about pedagogical issues, but the book was age appropriate, about universal issues relevant to that age, like having to go to a different school, health problems, or parents who love you but can't quite be great parents all the time. More specifically about this book, it also spells out things like underperformance, poverty, ethnic and racial issues, generational issues, and a few other sociological topics. The dreaded masturbation scene is approximately 150 words long at best, and is in my opinion pretty discreet.

I love that the students in the article signed a petition to keep the book. Go them!

[eclair]

I read and enjoyed this and I don't even remember the mention of masturbation. I think it's good book for kids to read. Well, maybe more will sneak off and read it now.

[chonies]

Apr 5, 2014 20:31:15 GMT -4 eclair said:

I read and enjoyed this and I don't even remember the mention of masturbation. I think it's good book for kids to read. Well, maybe more will sneak off and read it now.

OMG, it was so brief. He was thinking about things he was good at, and he listed masturbation--it was possibly the sweetest depiction of masturbation I'd ever read. Then later (I think) in the book he mentions his teacher giving him a hug and he gets an erection.

[eclair]

It's funny how forever1267's post at the top is pertinent to this title as well.

Thanks, chonies, for the reminder. Well, I still hope that the attention will cause more people to read the book. And anyone who thinks that if you like 50 Shades of Grey will also like Absolutely True Adventures of a Part Time Indian is crazy.

[narm]

I ADORE Part-Time! It is a great book and perfect for teenagers. Our school district hasn't bothered to have any heartburn over it, and I'm so glad. Several teachers assign it in English classes. I really loved the book and have recommended it several people. I've also maybe fallen a teeny bit in love with Alexie. I follow him on Twitter and he is easily the best part of that social media platform. SO witty it's like not even fair.

And really, the masturbation thing? I really don't remember it at all. And, big deal, censor-people! Do folks really think that this book will be ANY kid's intro to that topic? The stupid (and I hate that word) BURNS.

I think it is a wonderful book for kids, especially those feeling marginalized or like outcasts or just plain different. And students love the hell out of it. So, suck it, censor people. I ended up not teaching that class because I got a full-time job, but am glad I was introduced to his work. He's rad.

[chonies]

Apr 7, 2014 18:55:50 GMT -4 narm said:

I ADORE Part-Time! It is a great book and perfect for teenagers. Our school district hasn't bothered to have any heartburn over it, and I'm so glad. Several teachers assign it in English classes. I really loved the book and have recommended it several people. I've also maybe fallen a teeny bit in love with Alexie. I follow him on Twitter and he is easily the best part of that social media platform. SO witty it's like not even fair.

And really, the masturbation thing? I really don't remember it at all. And, big deal, censor-people! Do folks really think that this book will be ANY kid's intro to that topic? The stupid (and I hate that word) BURNS.

I think it is a wonderful book for kids, especially those feeling marginalized or like outcasts or just plain different. And students love the hell out of it. So, suck it, censor people. I ended up not teaching that class because I got a full-time job, but am glad I was introduced to his work. He's rad.

Honestly, I think that 'bation scene is probably one of the better ways for a child to be exposed to the topic if by some remote chance they hadn't already. The other classic of my generation, Deenie, was just grim. And unclear, as I learned in college--a friend had thought Deenie's special place was her elbow. The scene in Part Time is both discreet and as sex-positive as possible.

[narm]

Well, now I'm gonna have to go re-read Deenie! Then watch Splendor in the Grass. Again.

I will have to go back to Part-Time too, because it is all very vague to me right now and frankly I want to know what folks are all mad about.

And chonies, that is kinda awesome about your friend.

[eclair]

I never read Deenie, I picked up on the grimness. But I'm here laughing and saying "elbow!" to the cats!