Forever - Banned

Pasadena Citizen ^

[Texasbock]

Pasadena Independent School District superintendent Dr. Rick Schneider has banned the book "Forever" by popular children's author Judy Blume from the shelves of libraries within the district.

The book had previously been found in the collections of one intermediate and three high schools. Advertisement

"It is never an easy decision to pull a book from the shelves. The superintendent has the responsibility to put materials in the system that are educationally suitable and appropriate. In this particular case, after reading the book, he felt that, though the theme is not unsuitable certain passages are and decided to remove the book," said district spokesperson Kirk Lewis.

The complaint was initially lodged by a parent at Thompson Intermediate School.

According to district policy process, a campus review committee was formed to study the book.

The issue was next studied by a central office committee comprised of administrators, instructors and parents and then by Schneider.

Though an initial committee recommendation was that the work be removed from only intermediate and not high school libraries, it was ultimately decided to withdraw "Forever" from the district library system completely due to what was deemed "sexually explicit content.

"Certain passages were not appropriate for any students of the school district," continued Lewis.

The novel, first published in 1975, is self-described as "a moving story of the end of innocence."

According to the American Library Association, it is the eighth "most frequently challenged" book.

A challenge is defined as a formal, written complaint, filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness. The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom received a total of 547 challenges last year. According to Judith F. Krug, director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom, the number of challenges reflects only incidents reported, and for each reported, four or five remain unreported.

[Melas]

The difference is that you actually read the book. I have a strong hunch that 90% of those who're coming out swinging haven't.

[Jeff Head]

Well, that's your opinion. One could equally say that the other side is reactionarry, not seeing that describing explicitly sexual behavior does not advance the same values, rather that it tears them down.

Two edged sword.

I have stated my feelings about rights twice, you seem to have a problem with it. Sorry...staiting it twice does not qualify IMHO to repeating it over and over and over again. Them's the facts. I applaud what these parents did and would do the same myself, and have, havig put five children through the public schools. Took a lot of vigilance and close watch to make sure that our childen were not taken in by the social liberal views so prevaalent in today's education system.

[Gava]

I've read it 8 times in 8 different languages but I'm too smart to rely on just one book for all life's lessons.

[Xenalyte]

I read "Forever" (along with Blume's other unspeakable books) in junior high and high school, behind my mother's back. "Forever," "Deenie," and "Wifey" are not appropriate for teenagers.

[Xenalyte]

Not even in the same ballpark. "Margaret" deals with getting your first bra / period / teen angst. "Forever" is about teen sex.

[Xenalyte]

Her style could only improve - her writing is ghastly - and I'd bet you $100 it hasn't changed one damn bit since I last read a Blume book some 20 years ago.

[Hatteras]

Katherine sounds pretty hot. Pictures?

[Xenalyte]

You know, like in "bass-ackward." It's a pejorative used to describe the way my relatives do things, usually right before they holler, "Hold muh beer and watch this!"

[Protagoras]

Government libraries invite censorship. They should be abolished.

[smiley]

.....and don't forget...."Catcher in the Rye" and "The Scarlet Letter"......

[Protagoras]

if it is being presented in a public school paid for by tax dollars,

Excellent reason to abolish government schools.

[Always Right]

According to the American Library Association, it is the eighth "most frequently challenged" book.

The ALA is really just out for the best interest of the children, this is why the ALA links young teenagers to important sites that teach them how to do safe rimming and teaches the pros and cons of having sex with farm animals. The ALA knows what is best for your children.

[LexBaird]

Perhaps you mean bowlderizing?

No, according to spell check and this, I meant bowdlerizing.

[Xenalyte]

My theory is that they start us off with the absolute worst of an author's work, so if we can get through that, we can get through anything.

Think about it.

Great Expectations is THE worst thing Dickens ever wrote.

Silas Marner put me to sleep.

Ethan Frome - well, that just plain sucked.

And don't EVEN get me started on Moby-Dick.

[M0sby]

 

 
 

[M0sby]

YIKES!!!
Look at all of that SPACE!!!

SO SO SORRY ALL!

(Here is the link to the above interrview...again..sorry for all of that EXTRA SPACE..it is early still here on the westcoast)

http://www.randomhouse.com/boldtype/0698/blume/interview.html

[Liberal Classic]

Ethan Frome - well, that just plain sucked.

Ug! Suicide by bobsled! Topped only in pathetic-ness by Jude the Obscure.

[Xenalyte]

Now that you mention him, Thomas Hardy is a helluva slog. Any author who makes the landscape a "character" deserves the oblivion that has somehow forsaken Hardy.

[Lady Heron]

You have to be kidding me. Have you ever read a Judy Bloom book? Pornographic is a perfect word for her garbage.

I read one of her books in the 8th grade and got the nastiest shock of my life, and it was the one reason I pre-read anything that came into my house while teaching my kids. I would not let any kid under my supervision touch her filth, nor should it be in the school library, at least not the "kids" book I read.

[duck duck goose]

Ihad a blond moment. They happen from time to time, especially if the winds is coming in from the south!!!