Posted on 04/10/2005 6:42:44 PM PDT by 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.
ROTFLMAO! FReepers are cool.
Judy Blume? I used to love those Fudge books in gradeschool!
Why is it so bad for teenagers to read about the emotional implications of sex? It isn't going to be forever when you're 16.
BTTT
I'm sure you're kidding because that would be an ignorant and backward thing to do. I'm sure you're brave enough to challenge the library board directly on those things you find offensive rather than be cowardly and deface public property. Right?
LOL
".....covered up with a black felt pen....."
redacting is what the USG calls it.....I think if a taxpayer does it, it is still redacting.....and with all the thousands of pages in existence made possible from just your own taxes, SURELY you have a right to redact a few passages or pages :)
Bravo to you......
They're not getting rid of it; they're removing it from a public school. If you want the book, go order it at Amazon.
So, tell us again why you are in favor of pornography being on the library shelves of public schools?
Prude is a word made up by the immoral to soothe their conscience.
Exactly. Wonder what all these liberals so upset about book banning would say if the school district bought a bunch of moral or religious books. The liberals would not be able to light their matches fast enough.
>>Judy Blume? I used to love those Fudge books in gradeschool!<<
Me too!!!
Vandals for God. We don't need no stinkin' rule of law.
Don't get me wrong, I don't want tax-funded smut but I don't want people destroying public library books. Adults use libraries more than children generally.
Sometimes people put intelligent comments in library books that are actually worth reading.
But we made great time.
How about PRE teens? Do you think the little ones should be reading it? Does it matter to you what their parents think?
Sweet Judy Blume---She put the Her in Herpes.
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
"Going all the way" is still a taboo subject in young adult literature. Judy Blume was the first author to write candidly about a sexually active teen, and she's been defending teenagers' rights to read about such subjects ever since. Here, Blume tells a convincing tale of first love--a love that seems strong and true enough to last forever. Katherine loves Michael so much, in fact, that she's willing to lose her virginity to him, and, as the months go by, it gets harder and harder for her to imagine living without him. However, something happens when they are separated for the summer: Katherine begins to have feelings for another guy. What does this mean about her love for Michael? What does this mean about love in general? What does "forever" mean, anyway? As always, Blume writes as if she's never forgotten a moment of what it's like to be a teenager.
I always enjoyed S.E. Hinton's adolescent-themed novels, though.
To be honest, when I was that age I wasn't much of an avid reader.
-good times, G.J.P. (Jr.)
"But we made great time."
Good point!
ROTFLOL
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