Post by soontobeka on Sept 22, 2014 12:25:40 GMT -5
Students in Highland Park can no longer read seven specific books -- at least not at school.
Our partners at The Dallas Morning News report the district suspended the following seven books from the high school's approved book list.
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein The Working Poor: Invisible in America by David K. Shipler Siddhartha by Hermann Hese An Abundance of Katherines by John Green The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
The list modifications came after parents expressed concern about references to rape, sex and other topics in the books. The parents were worried the content was too mature for high school students.
Huh. When I was in high school, we read texts that focused on murder, violence and were, of course, rife with dirty jokes--Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and Julius Caesar. But I guess since they were written by a dead white guy, that makes them okay.
Post by pixy0stix on Sept 22, 2014 12:38:16 GMT -5
I don't remember anything in the Glass Castle that is ban worthy. Unless talking about poverty, homelessness and mental illness are taboo. Oh wait, TX.
I don't remember anything in the Glass Castle that is ban worthy. Unless talking about poverty, homelessness and mental illness are taboo. Oh wait, TX.
Winner Winner!! I really think ^^^ is the issue. HP is one of the most affluent cities in the state. Houses go for $1 million+. They don't want to have to read how the other people live.
I don't remember anything in the Glass Castle that is ban worthy. Unless talking about poverty, homelessness and mental illness are taboo. Oh wait, TX.
yep, don't want our kids reading about people in poverty. Bootstraps!
Barf. If my kids' school bans any books from the curriculum, they will specifically be on our family reading list. Fuck book banners. I hate censorship.
Post by penguingrrl on Sept 22, 2014 13:13:46 GMT -5
OMG, they might educate students and have them realize that the poors deserve help and pity, not derision and bootstraps. Can't have that! It's all part of Obama's socialist agenda!
And to the others, I would go out of my way to encourage my kids to read any and all books on that list and share them with their friends.
Huh. When I was in high school, we read texts that focused on murder, violence and were, of course, rife with dirty jokes--Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and Julius Caesar. But I guess since they were written by a dead white guy, that makes them okay.
Right?! I will laugh my ass off if Chaucer is in this district's curriculum.
Post by sparrowsong on Sept 22, 2014 13:49:15 GMT -5
Siddhartha? No learning about other religions?
I don't understated the sterilized bubble in which some parents try to raise their kids. Why bring children into the world if you don't want them to even be aware of the many different people and things that exist outside of one little white, wealthy, Jesus-loving suburb? What a deliberately ignorant lifestyle.
Barf. If my kids' school bans any books from the curriculum, they will specifically be on our family reading list. Fuck book banners. I hate censorship.
This is my plan, too. In fact, I think I'm going to use the most banned books list as a general guide.
Highland Park ISD suspended seven books from classroom use until they are reviewed by a committee of parents, teachers and students. Following are the books and references to content that raised objections from some parents:
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
This contemporary novel is told through the point of view of Enzo, a dog. Enzo tells the story of his race car driving owner, who loses his wife unexpectedly and faces a child custody battle with his in-laws. The book includes a sex scene in which a teenage neighbor forces herself on the main character and falsely accuses him of statutory rape.
The Working Poor: Invisible in America by David K. Shipler
This nonfiction book, written by a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, is about employed Americans who live on the brink of poverty. It includes a story of a woman who was raped in second grade and had an abortion in high school.
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
This classic novel, written in 1922, is about the spiritual journey of a man living in the time of Buddha. In the book, the main character fathers a child out of wedlock and has sexual encounters with prostitutes.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
This contemporary young adult book is a National Book Award winner. It tells the story of a teenager who grows up on the Spokane Indian Reservation but leaves to attend an all-white high school in a farm town. The book has strong language, including racial slurs.
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
This contemporary young adult book is about a boy who has dated and been dumped by multiple girls named Katherine. He goes on a road trip with a friend and tries to come up with a mathematical formula that will help him avoid heartbreak. It includes sexual references.
The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls
This nonfiction book is about the author, who grew up in a dysfunctional home with parents who struggled with financial problems, alcoholism and mental illness.
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
This coming-of-age novel, written by a Pulitzer Prize and Nobel Prize winner, is about a young black man who grows up in Michigan. It has profanity, sexual imagery and a story line about an incestuous relationship.
Highland Park ISD suspended seven books from classroom use until they are reviewed by a committee of parents, teachers and students. Following are the books and references to content that raised objections from some parents:
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
This contemporary novel is told through the point of view of Enzo, a dog. Enzo tells the story of his race car driving owner, who loses his wife unexpectedly and faces a child custody battle with his in-laws. The book includes a sex scene in which a teenage neighbor forces herself on the main character and falsely accuses him of statutory rape.
The Working Poor: Invisible in America by David K. Shipler
This nonfiction book, written by a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, is about employed Americans who live on the brink of poverty. It includes a story of a woman who was raped in second grade and had an abortion in high school.
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
This classic novel, written in 1922, is about the spiritual journey of a man living in the time of Buddha. In the book, the main character fathers a child out of wedlock and has sexual encounters with prostitutes.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
This contemporary young adult book is a National Book Award winner. It tells the story of a teenager who grows up on the Spokane Indian Reservation but leaves to attend an all-white high school in a farm town. The book has strong language, including racial slurs.
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
This contemporary young adult book is about a boy who has dated and been dumped by multiple girls named Katherine. He goes on a road trip with a friend and tries to come up with a mathematical formula that will help him avoid heartbreak. It includes sexual references.
The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls
This nonfiction book is about the author, who grew up in a dysfunctional home with parents who struggled with financial problems, alcoholism and mental illness.
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
This coming-of-age novel, written by a Pulitzer Prize and Nobel Prize winner, is about a young black man who grows up in Michigan. It has profanity, sexual imagery and a story line about an incestuous relationship.
I had completely forgotten about that part of art of racing in the rain.
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”