Book Specification Info: 128 Pages; ISBN #0-590-45367-X
Summary: A family, consisting of Mother, Father and son, have to move to Atlanta. While the parents are in Atlanta looking for a new home, the son (Evan) has to stay with his weird great-aunt Kathryn. During his two-week stay, he meets a friend (Andy) and they begin hanging out. One day, they venture into an old toy store where Evan buys a can of monster blood. Once the can is open, the "fun" begins ... do you dare to read the tale of a lonely boy, his pony-sized cocker spaniel and a witch?
Banned Reason: Excessive Violence
There was some violence in this book, but again ... nothing excessive. I know I'm only three books into this series, but I have yet to find a passage of text that depicts an episode of excessive violence. In my opinion, the cartoons of Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner depicted more violence than the Goosebumps series, thus far, and look how much children (and adults) love those cartoons!
I am beginning to form the opinion that whoever began this crusade against R. L. Stine's series was afraid of change. To my knowledge, this series was the first of its kind that was geared specifically toward the younger crowd. Oh, if only parents would sit back and remember what it was like to be young. They, too, enjoyed being scared ... if they'd only admit it.
Overall: This book was definitely enjoyable. I appreciated the fact that R. L. Stine wrote about a different family dynamic other than the mother, father, older sister and annoying younger brother. I think if Evan would've had a sibling in this book, the story wouldn't have transpired as well as it did.
Creepy great-aunt Kathryn was a hoot! I liked her =) She was quirky and eccentric ... she was a little mean in the book, but not so much so that I didn't enjoy her.
Andy was a pistol. She was a wonderful tomboy who still had her girlie side and a no-nonsense attitude. Evan and Andy together in the story worked out wonderfully.
I don't agree with the banned reasons for this book. While violence was depicted, it wasn't anything more than what a child would see in a schoolyard tussle.
I press onward ... Happy Reading! =)
Showing posts with label Book Summary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Summary. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Goosebumps #2 'Stay Out of the Basement' by R. L. Stine: A Summary
Book Specification Info: 122 Pages; ISBN #0-590-45366-1
Summary: A family is dealing with the father/husband being an out-of-work scientist who is conducting experiments in their basement. Almost from the moment the story begins, the mother has to leave to go tend to a family member out-of-town. She doesn't return until the end of the book. While the mother's gone, the children start noticing changes in their father but are scared to mention them. Being children, they are curious about what their father is doing in the basement even though he has told them to stay out. During one of their trips to the basement, they realize things are not as they seem with their father. It comes down to the daughter being forced to make a decision that could ultimately lead to her father's death.
Banned Reasons: Excessive Violence
For this book, I'm a little torn between agreeing and disagreeing with the banned reasons. There wasn't excessive violence, but there was a little violence (i.e. one person is stabbed with a knife and another is chopped in half with an axe). However, the violent incidents are explained in the book and are an integral part of the story. Ironically, it is the violent incidents which help resolve several confusing situations in the book. So, should the book be challenged for being violent when the violence has a purpose?
Overall: I did enjoy the book and do think that it would be okay for a child to read. The ending was a little unexpected. It made you wonder if the issues in the book had really been resolved at all ... which, an ending that makes think about the story beyond what's written in a book, is a good thing. It helps feed a person's imagination, which can never be bad.
I have noticed, though, within these first two books that R. L. Stine has stayed with the same type of family. A mother whose patient and understanding. A father whose a little preoccupied and can be short tempered. A daughter/sister who is the oldest and is the first to notice the weird things that are happening. Finally, a younger son/brother who is slightly spoiled, a nuisance and who thinks everything is fine until the weird stuff is practically shoved in his face. It makes me wonder if R. L. Stine grew up in this type of family or if this was the family he had always wanted ... ???
I can certainly understand why a parent would not want their child to read this book. However, I think if a parent restricts their child from reading this book the parent is a little too overprotective. Strictly my opinion, of course. Most children like a little scare and violence in their books. That's the whole point of buying a book like this, isn't it? You don't buy a book with a creepy cover and expect to read a love story, right? Right!
Off to read book #3 ...
Happy Reading! =)
Summary: A family is dealing with the father/husband being an out-of-work scientist who is conducting experiments in their basement. Almost from the moment the story begins, the mother has to leave to go tend to a family member out-of-town. She doesn't return until the end of the book. While the mother's gone, the children start noticing changes in their father but are scared to mention them. Being children, they are curious about what their father is doing in the basement even though he has told them to stay out. During one of their trips to the basement, they realize things are not as they seem with their father. It comes down to the daughter being forced to make a decision that could ultimately lead to her father's death.
Banned Reasons: Excessive Violence
For this book, I'm a little torn between agreeing and disagreeing with the banned reasons. There wasn't excessive violence, but there was a little violence (i.e. one person is stabbed with a knife and another is chopped in half with an axe). However, the violent incidents are explained in the book and are an integral part of the story. Ironically, it is the violent incidents which help resolve several confusing situations in the book. So, should the book be challenged for being violent when the violence has a purpose?
Overall: I did enjoy the book and do think that it would be okay for a child to read. The ending was a little unexpected. It made you wonder if the issues in the book had really been resolved at all ... which, an ending that makes think about the story beyond what's written in a book, is a good thing. It helps feed a person's imagination, which can never be bad.
I have noticed, though, within these first two books that R. L. Stine has stayed with the same type of family. A mother whose patient and understanding. A father whose a little preoccupied and can be short tempered. A daughter/sister who is the oldest and is the first to notice the weird things that are happening. Finally, a younger son/brother who is slightly spoiled, a nuisance and who thinks everything is fine until the weird stuff is practically shoved in his face. It makes me wonder if R. L. Stine grew up in this type of family or if this was the family he had always wanted ... ???
I can certainly understand why a parent would not want their child to read this book. However, I think if a parent restricts their child from reading this book the parent is a little too overprotective. Strictly my opinion, of course. Most children like a little scare and violence in their books. That's the whole point of buying a book like this, isn't it? You don't buy a book with a creepy cover and expect to read a love story, right? Right!
Off to read book #3 ...
Happy Reading! =)
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Goosebumps #1 'Welcome to Dead House' by R. L. Stine: A Summary
I was going to post reviews of this series in groups of five, but as I finished the first book I realized that wouldn't work for me. I'll have to do each book separately. By the way, there are spoilers in this review. Away we go...
Some book specification info: There are 123 pages; ISBN #0-439-56847-1
Summary: A family receives a letter in the mail stating that a house in Dark Falls was left to them by the father's uncle, Charlie. Nobody in the family remembers this uncle, but they visit Dark Falls anyway to view the house. The parents love the house and the fact that it's free, while the children (Amanda and Josh) find the house a little creepy. The family moves into the house a couple weeks later. Amanda has paranormal experiences (i.e. seeing ghosts, hearing whispers and seeing curtains moving) right away, while Josh is just ready to go back to their old house. Eventually, the family finds out why Dark Falls is so creepy and leaves the town to go back to their old house.
Banned Reasons: Excessive violence
Many of us, if not all of us, have heard of this series ... whether it was as children, seeing them in a library or looking at them in the bookstore. This series holds major appeal with children because most children like to be scared. The cover art is drawn specifically to draw children to the books when they see them on a display. This combined with complaints of 'excessive violence in books intended for children under the age of 12' are the reasons why this series was the most challenged during the 2000-2009 decade, according to the American Library Association.
I must say that I do not agree with the banned reasons. I'm not sure about the remaining 61 books, but this first book did not have 'excessive violence.' There was an implication of violence yet-to-come, but no real violence was actually depicted. Unless you want to count the part where a flashlight was shown on an undead being and it caused his skin to melt off of his skull, his eyeballs popping out and him falling and cracking his skull on a tombstone ... ??? That was not violent. Gross, maybe .. Violent? No.
Overall: The book is definitely suspenseful, but not scary. I think R. L. Stine may have chosen the series title Goosebumps because he knew the books weren't scary. People get goosebumps whenever they are spooked by something creepy, not when they're scared... being scared creates a whole different reaction in a person's body.
When I finished reading the book, I came up with eight questions that I did not have answers for (this may spoil some of the story for you):
1.) Why did the undead need fresh blood once a year when they have no blood coursing through their veins?
2.) Why does the light make their skin melt and make them appear to be dead? Are they really dead?
I came up with question #2 because while one of the undead girls was melting, she was telling Amanda "Thank you." But at the end of the book, when a new family was coming to live at the Dead House, it appears one of the undead was unharmed and there to welcome the family to their new home.
3.) Why do the undead form a circle around their victims?
I thought the answer to #3 was so the victims couldn't run away, but there were tied up victims in the book and they still formed a circle around them ... So, it got me wondering ...
4.) How did the undead kill their victims?
R. L. Stine never wrote how this was done. He did have them kill the dog, Petey, first because 'animals always know' when a person is undead, but he didn't write how they did it. I think it would've made the story a little more creepier if Stine would've had Amanda and Josh watching the undead kill Petey from a distance ... of course, that would've been violence and a valid reason for the book being challenged.
5.) How did the undead choose which family to bring to the Dead House?
6.) Why was it so important for Ray (one of the undead), known as The Watcher, to not let Amanda and Josh know who the undead really were for a few more weeks?
7.) Who buried the dead of Dark Falls?
This I wondered after one of the undead told the story of the town, Dark Falls, to Amanda and Josh. There once was a plastics factory on the outskirts of town. One day, there was an accident at the factory that caused a yellow gas to spread out over the town quickly. So quickly that the people of the town didn't realize what was happening. They all died as a result. If they all died, who buried them?
8.) If all the townspeople died at the same time, why are there different years of death on the tombstones?
I realize these questions probably come from an adult's viewpoint. I don't know too many children that would think these questions while reading this book. I do not find anything wrong with a child reading this book ... it is just a story after all.
Now, on to the reading of the second book in this series ...
Stay tuned! =)
Some book specification info: There are 123 pages; ISBN #0-439-56847-1
Summary: A family receives a letter in the mail stating that a house in Dark Falls was left to them by the father's uncle, Charlie. Nobody in the family remembers this uncle, but they visit Dark Falls anyway to view the house. The parents love the house and the fact that it's free, while the children (Amanda and Josh) find the house a little creepy. The family moves into the house a couple weeks later. Amanda has paranormal experiences (i.e. seeing ghosts, hearing whispers and seeing curtains moving) right away, while Josh is just ready to go back to their old house. Eventually, the family finds out why Dark Falls is so creepy and leaves the town to go back to their old house.
Banned Reasons: Excessive violence
Many of us, if not all of us, have heard of this series ... whether it was as children, seeing them in a library or looking at them in the bookstore. This series holds major appeal with children because most children like to be scared. The cover art is drawn specifically to draw children to the books when they see them on a display. This combined with complaints of 'excessive violence in books intended for children under the age of 12' are the reasons why this series was the most challenged during the 2000-2009 decade, according to the American Library Association.
I must say that I do not agree with the banned reasons. I'm not sure about the remaining 61 books, but this first book did not have 'excessive violence.' There was an implication of violence yet-to-come, but no real violence was actually depicted. Unless you want to count the part where a flashlight was shown on an undead being and it caused his skin to melt off of his skull, his eyeballs popping out and him falling and cracking his skull on a tombstone ... ??? That was not violent. Gross, maybe .. Violent? No.
Overall: The book is definitely suspenseful, but not scary. I think R. L. Stine may have chosen the series title Goosebumps because he knew the books weren't scary. People get goosebumps whenever they are spooked by something creepy, not when they're scared... being scared creates a whole different reaction in a person's body.
When I finished reading the book, I came up with eight questions that I did not have answers for (this may spoil some of the story for you):
1.) Why did the undead need fresh blood once a year when they have no blood coursing through their veins?
2.) Why does the light make their skin melt and make them appear to be dead? Are they really dead?
I came up with question #2 because while one of the undead girls was melting, she was telling Amanda "Thank you." But at the end of the book, when a new family was coming to live at the Dead House, it appears one of the undead was unharmed and there to welcome the family to their new home.
3.) Why do the undead form a circle around their victims?
I thought the answer to #3 was so the victims couldn't run away, but there were tied up victims in the book and they still formed a circle around them ... So, it got me wondering ...
4.) How did the undead kill their victims?
R. L. Stine never wrote how this was done. He did have them kill the dog, Petey, first because 'animals always know' when a person is undead, but he didn't write how they did it. I think it would've made the story a little more creepier if Stine would've had Amanda and Josh watching the undead kill Petey from a distance ... of course, that would've been violence and a valid reason for the book being challenged.
5.) How did the undead choose which family to bring to the Dead House?
6.) Why was it so important for Ray (one of the undead), known as The Watcher, to not let Amanda and Josh know who the undead really were for a few more weeks?
7.) Who buried the dead of Dark Falls?
This I wondered after one of the undead told the story of the town, Dark Falls, to Amanda and Josh. There once was a plastics factory on the outskirts of town. One day, there was an accident at the factory that caused a yellow gas to spread out over the town quickly. So quickly that the people of the town didn't realize what was happening. They all died as a result. If they all died, who buried them?
8.) If all the townspeople died at the same time, why are there different years of death on the tombstones?
I realize these questions probably come from an adult's viewpoint. I don't know too many children that would think these questions while reading this book. I do not find anything wrong with a child reading this book ... it is just a story after all.
Now, on to the reading of the second book in this series ...
Stay tuned! =)
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Shade's Children: A Summary
You cannot tell by the title, but if you look at the cover of the book you'll realize the story inside will have a sci-fi feel to it. Now, I'm not a huge sci-fi fan. I've not made it thru all of the Star Wars
movies or anything. I tend to find sci-fi somewhat unrealistic and slightly boring.
Upon reading the book, it did turn out to be sci-fi-ish (yes, I just made that word up) but not overly so. The book was an easy read in that the chapters were not too long and the print was the perfect size for fluid reading ... not too small, but not huge either. It did have sci-fi terms and names for creatures that only a sci-fi geek would think of (sorry geeksters!).
Banned Reasons: Vulgarity and for being obscene
I really do not understand how this book can be banned for being vulgar and obscene. There are a few curse words here and there, but nothing that is overly shocking. As for being obscene .... I'd like to know which uptight right-wing activist read this book and deemed it 'obscene.' There was absolutely nothing in this book that was obscene.
One part of the book that may be thought of as "obscene" is the section mentioning the 'Lottery.' The 'Lottery' is a randomly selected sexual encounter voluntarily participated in by survivors of The Change. Even though you know there's a 'Lottery,' the book does not go into detail of the sexual encounters being acted out. It simply explains what the 'Lottery' is and who participates in it.
Overall: Even though I'm not a big fan of the sci-fi genre, I am glad this book was in the Top 100. It gave me the chance to read a sci-fi book that I actually enjoyed. As you can probably tell, I did not agree with the banned reasons. I think any young adult (around the middle-school age) who likes to read various genres of literature would enjoy this book. The ending was bittersweet, but well thought out and extremely appropriate.
movies or anything. I tend to find sci-fi somewhat unrealistic and slightly boring.Upon reading the book, it did turn out to be sci-fi-ish (yes, I just made that word up) but not overly so. The book was an easy read in that the chapters were not too long and the print was the perfect size for fluid reading ... not too small, but not huge either. It did have sci-fi terms and names for creatures that only a sci-fi geek would think of (sorry geeksters!).
Banned Reasons: Vulgarity and for being obscene
I really do not understand how this book can be banned for being vulgar and obscene. There are a few curse words here and there, but nothing that is overly shocking. As for being obscene .... I'd like to know which uptight right-wing activist read this book and deemed it 'obscene.' There was absolutely nothing in this book that was obscene.
One part of the book that may be thought of as "obscene" is the section mentioning the 'Lottery.' The 'Lottery' is a randomly selected sexual encounter voluntarily participated in by survivors of The Change. Even though you know there's a 'Lottery,' the book does not go into detail of the sexual encounters being acted out. It simply explains what the 'Lottery' is and who participates in it.
Overall: Even though I'm not a big fan of the sci-fi genre, I am glad this book was in the Top 100. It gave me the chance to read a sci-fi book that I actually enjoyed. As you can probably tell, I did not agree with the banned reasons. I think any young adult (around the middle-school age) who likes to read various genres of literature would enjoy this book. The ending was bittersweet, but well thought out and extremely appropriate.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Grendel: A Summary
I don't know what I was exactly expecting from this book, but here's my summary of it...
Summary: This book focuses on Grendel and the latter part of his existence. It's told in first person from Grendel's point of view.
Banned Reasons: I couldn't find anything online that specifically stated why this book was banned or challenged. I did find where people suggested it was banned/challenged due to Grendel's violence and view of the world.
Do I agree with the book being banned/challenged? In a way, yes.
As I read a book, I generally picture it in my mind as I'm reading. I found the depiction of Grendel's violence in the book a little disturbing. Whether my disturbed feelings came from the actual reading of the book or the pictures in my mind I was creating as I was reading the book I'm not sure, but I feel it may have been a little bit of both. Because I would not have created those images in my mind if the scenes I was reading weren't so aptly depicted.
As for Grendel's view of his world and that around him ... I'm sure there are people that think and believe as Grendel, but the majority of people I know have a stronger basis in reality than Grendel. At first, Grendel believed that there was one Being that created everything and everyone. As he got older, those beliefs didn't suit Grendel. I believe it may have been because Grendel was going thru his pubescent phase where a lot of questions arise about self and people in general. He felt his life was out of control, so to gain a semblance of control, Grendel started believing that his world was what he said it was. For example, he would believe a tree existed because he said it did. In essence, he was "playing" God in his mind and he was becoming self-delusional enough to believe it to be true.
I found myself feeling a little sad for Grendel. He had nobody to speak with, nobody to confide in and those he tried to speak to viewed him as monstrous and were afraid of him. Grendel was lonely and his loneliness assisted in his viewing the world as he did... where only he existed and everything existed because of him.
Overall: While this book may not be politically or socially correct, I did enjoy the book. I think anybody at an advanced reading level (no matter the age) would be able to read and understand the book... even if they didn't agree with story.
Summary: This book focuses on Grendel and the latter part of his existence. It's told in first person from Grendel's point of view.
Banned Reasons: I couldn't find anything online that specifically stated why this book was banned or challenged. I did find where people suggested it was banned/challenged due to Grendel's violence and view of the world.
Do I agree with the book being banned/challenged? In a way, yes.
As I read a book, I generally picture it in my mind as I'm reading. I found the depiction of Grendel's violence in the book a little disturbing. Whether my disturbed feelings came from the actual reading of the book or the pictures in my mind I was creating as I was reading the book I'm not sure, but I feel it may have been a little bit of both. Because I would not have created those images in my mind if the scenes I was reading weren't so aptly depicted.
As for Grendel's view of his world and that around him ... I'm sure there are people that think and believe as Grendel, but the majority of people I know have a stronger basis in reality than Grendel. At first, Grendel believed that there was one Being that created everything and everyone. As he got older, those beliefs didn't suit Grendel. I believe it may have been because Grendel was going thru his pubescent phase where a lot of questions arise about self and people in general. He felt his life was out of control, so to gain a semblance of control, Grendel started believing that his world was what he said it was. For example, he would believe a tree existed because he said it did. In essence, he was "playing" God in his mind and he was becoming self-delusional enough to believe it to be true.
I found myself feeling a little sad for Grendel. He had nobody to speak with, nobody to confide in and those he tried to speak to viewed him as monstrous and were afraid of him. Grendel was lonely and his loneliness assisted in his viewing the world as he did... where only he existed and everything existed because of him.
Overall: While this book may not be politically or socially correct, I did enjoy the book. I think anybody at an advanced reading level (no matter the age) would be able to read and understand the book... even if they didn't agree with story.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
The House of the Spirits: A Summary
Wow. First, let me say that I am extremely grateful that I pushed thru and finished this book today. I feel like a weight has been lifted in finishing this book. I do not like to drag out the reading of a book for so long. You've waited patiently for ... a little over two months to get my review. That amount of time is not acceptable and, hopefully, will never happen again. Let's get on with it...
Summary: The book is a story spread out over an extended period of time. It begins with a little girl and finishes with that little girl's granddaughter. It is the life story of a family. It explores the relationships between them all: good, bad, sad, happiness, abuse, anger ... everything. It's also important to point out that it also covers this family's involvement of a political and governmental upheaval. I don't recall that the country the story is based in was ever actually mentioned, but it was definitely of the Mexican/Latin persuasion.
Banned Reasons: Sexually explicit and offensive language
I am torn between agreeing and disagreeing with the banned reasons. On the one hand, there are sexual references, and scenes, in the book. However, they are not as explicitly depicted as in an erotic volume of literature. The references are written so that you know what's going on, but yet it still doesn't go into graphic detail.
As for the "offensive language"... children riding a school bus probably hear more offensive language than what's written in this book. I'm not saying offensive language is acceptable, but I would be blind if I thought school-aged children do not curse. They do. And the language in this book is no worse than what a child hears or says at school.
Overall: The book started out slow, then became more interesting and easier to read. However, by the time the middle of the 10th chapter came around, I was utterly bored yet again. It picked up one last time towards the end of the last chapter and in the Epilogue.
I think the reason I found it boring was because of the military garble and the depiction of the uprising of the country's government. Yes, I understand that's an important time in a country's existence, but .... it put me to sleep. Thus my struggle in finishing it.
With the recommended reading level being Young Adult, I would say that I agree with that. By the time a child reaches the Young Adult age (say around 13 or 14), they've pretty much heard or said everything that's written in this book language-wise and relation-wise.
Summary: The book is a story spread out over an extended period of time. It begins with a little girl and finishes with that little girl's granddaughter. It is the life story of a family. It explores the relationships between them all: good, bad, sad, happiness, abuse, anger ... everything. It's also important to point out that it also covers this family's involvement of a political and governmental upheaval. I don't recall that the country the story is based in was ever actually mentioned, but it was definitely of the Mexican/Latin persuasion.
Banned Reasons: Sexually explicit and offensive language
I am torn between agreeing and disagreeing with the banned reasons. On the one hand, there are sexual references, and scenes, in the book. However, they are not as explicitly depicted as in an erotic volume of literature. The references are written so that you know what's going on, but yet it still doesn't go into graphic detail.
As for the "offensive language"... children riding a school bus probably hear more offensive language than what's written in this book. I'm not saying offensive language is acceptable, but I would be blind if I thought school-aged children do not curse. They do. And the language in this book is no worse than what a child hears or says at school.
Overall: The book started out slow, then became more interesting and easier to read. However, by the time the middle of the 10th chapter came around, I was utterly bored yet again. It picked up one last time towards the end of the last chapter and in the Epilogue.
I think the reason I found it boring was because of the military garble and the depiction of the uprising of the country's government. Yes, I understand that's an important time in a country's existence, but .... it put me to sleep. Thus my struggle in finishing it.
With the recommended reading level being Young Adult, I would say that I agree with that. By the time a child reaches the Young Adult age (say around 13 or 14), they've pretty much heard or said everything that's written in this book language-wise and relation-wise.
Friday, June 18, 2010
I Saw Esau: A Summary
I apologize, dear followers, that it's taken me so long to finish this book. It's not a difficult read. I have just been extremely busy. Now, on to what you came here for.... =)
Summary: The book is a collection of rhymes and poems collected from children and schoolyards. There are drawings to coincide with many of the rhymes in the book.
Banned Reasons: I could find nothing definitive while searching for reasons. One reason I did find was that it is challenged/banned is for the artwork depicted throughout the book.
I must say that, this time, I do agree with the reasons for being challenged/banned. Some of the rhymes are disturbing. And, I'm still young enough to realize that if they're disturbing to me as an adult, they would definitely have a strong appeal to children. Here is one example:
I one my mother.
I two my mother.
I three my mother.
I four my mother.
I five my mother.
I six my mother.
I seven my mother.
I ate my mother.
Now, on it's own, it doesn't sound that disturbing. I mean, what child is actually going to eat their mother? The artwork that goes with this poem, though, is what gives this rhyme its disturbing quality. It's eight different depictations of a baby sitting on his mother's lap to breast feed (picture 1) and then ends up swallowing her whole until he's big and fat from eating her (picture 8).
Another example of the rhymes in this book is:
Roses are red
Violets are blue
The shorter the skirt
The better the view
There's no artwork that coincides with this rhyme, but .... seriously??? For an adult, this might be a cute little ditty. But, for a child? A child is supposed to be innocent (even though we all know that lately, most children's innocence doesn't last very long).
Overall: I would recommend that children not read this book. All of the rhymes in the book have a darker side to them. Some of the artwork depicts nudity and a viciousness that children do not need to see.
Summary: The book is a collection of rhymes and poems collected from children and schoolyards. There are drawings to coincide with many of the rhymes in the book.
Banned Reasons: I could find nothing definitive while searching for reasons. One reason I did find was that it is challenged/banned is for the artwork depicted throughout the book.
I must say that, this time, I do agree with the reasons for being challenged/banned. Some of the rhymes are disturbing. And, I'm still young enough to realize that if they're disturbing to me as an adult, they would definitely have a strong appeal to children. Here is one example:
I one my mother.
I two my mother.
I three my mother.
I four my mother.
I five my mother.
I six my mother.
I seven my mother.
I ate my mother.
Now, on it's own, it doesn't sound that disturbing. I mean, what child is actually going to eat their mother? The artwork that goes with this poem, though, is what gives this rhyme its disturbing quality. It's eight different depictations of a baby sitting on his mother's lap to breast feed (picture 1) and then ends up swallowing her whole until he's big and fat from eating her (picture 8).
Another example of the rhymes in this book is:
Roses are red
Violets are blue
The shorter the skirt
The better the view
There's no artwork that coincides with this rhyme, but .... seriously??? For an adult, this might be a cute little ditty. But, for a child? A child is supposed to be innocent (even though we all know that lately, most children's innocence doesn't last very long).
Overall: I would recommend that children not read this book. All of the rhymes in the book have a darker side to them. Some of the artwork depicts nudity and a viciousness that children do not need to see.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret: A Summary
I would've finished this book in one day, but I decided to take my time with it. I think when you can read fast, you sometimes miss a lot of the metaphors and innuendos that are in a story.
Summary: The book centers around Margaret, who is an only child and is moved to a new neighborhood where she doesn't know anyone. She has to become acclimated to a society that believes everyone should belong to a religion. Her parents were raised in different religions, but decided to not have a religion when they fell in love and eloped. They told Margaret she could choose a religion when she's old enough, but only if she really wants to. So, because of a school assignment, Margaret spends her sixth-grade year studying various religions trying to figure out which one suits her and lets her "feel" God.
Favorite Line/Passage: "...I've been looking for you God. I looked in temple. I looked in church. And today, I looked for you when I wanted to confess. But you weren't there. I didn't feel you at all. Not the way I do when I talk to you at night. Why God? Why do I only feel you when I'm alone?"
Banned Reasons: No real definitive reason. Various research suggests book is challenged/banned due to religious overtones and puberty references.
I disagree with the book being challenged/banned. Yes, the book references various religions. Yes, Margaret talks with God on a regular basis. Yes, the girls in the book discuss periods and bras and boys. But, what 12-year old girl doesn't discuss these very things? That's a time in a girl's life when their hormones are starting to take over and they're in the transitioning stage when they want to be grown up. So, of course they're going to discuss periods, bras and boys. I applaud Judy Blume for taking this awkward time in a girl's life and putting it into a story form.
And, as for the religious aspects... it's not like Judy Blume is promoting one religion over another. She simply told the story of a little girl searching for a religion that suited her. As it turns out, religion wasn't for Margaret because it didn't make her feel as close to God as talking to Him one-on-one every night. I think if more people were like Margaret and talked to God about every situation they were in, they wouldn't be in as bad of a predicament as they are in.
Overall: I would recommend that pre-teen girls read this book. I think they would be able to relate to the main character in the book.
Summary: The book centers around Margaret, who is an only child and is moved to a new neighborhood where she doesn't know anyone. She has to become acclimated to a society that believes everyone should belong to a religion. Her parents were raised in different religions, but decided to not have a religion when they fell in love and eloped. They told Margaret she could choose a religion when she's old enough, but only if she really wants to. So, because of a school assignment, Margaret spends her sixth-grade year studying various religions trying to figure out which one suits her and lets her "feel" God.
Favorite Line/Passage: "...I've been looking for you God. I looked in temple. I looked in church. And today, I looked for you when I wanted to confess. But you weren't there. I didn't feel you at all. Not the way I do when I talk to you at night. Why God? Why do I only feel you when I'm alone?"
Banned Reasons: No real definitive reason. Various research suggests book is challenged/banned due to religious overtones and puberty references.
I disagree with the book being challenged/banned. Yes, the book references various religions. Yes, Margaret talks with God on a regular basis. Yes, the girls in the book discuss periods and bras and boys. But, what 12-year old girl doesn't discuss these very things? That's a time in a girl's life when their hormones are starting to take over and they're in the transitioning stage when they want to be grown up. So, of course they're going to discuss periods, bras and boys. I applaud Judy Blume for taking this awkward time in a girl's life and putting it into a story form.
And, as for the religious aspects... it's not like Judy Blume is promoting one religion over another. She simply told the story of a little girl searching for a religion that suited her. As it turns out, religion wasn't for Margaret because it didn't make her feel as close to God as talking to Him one-on-one every night. I think if more people were like Margaret and talked to God about every situation they were in, they wouldn't be in as bad of a predicament as they are in.
Overall: I would recommend that pre-teen girls read this book. I think they would be able to relate to the main character in the book.
Monday, May 24, 2010
America: A Summary
So, I've finally gotten started on this Top 100. My first assignment, "America" by E. R. Frank, was a little more than I expected.
Summary: The book centers around a boy named America, who is seriously screwed up from the events that happened to him by the very people he learned to trust. He ends up in a psych hospital where there's a doctor who earns America's trust, slowly but surely. America eventually gets well enough to get out of the psych hospital and into a transitional living home.
Favorite Line: "I'm in America, and America is me."
Banned Reasons: Inappropriate use of language and graphic description of sexual activity. There is definitely an inappropriate use of language in the book, but it's sort of to be expected... especially after knowing everything America has been thru. The sexual activity, on the other hand, isn't as graphically depicted as the critics claim. There are sexually active parts in the book, but they do not go into graphic detail.
Overall: The reasons the book is banned from school are valid. I was surprisingly drawn into the book and didn't want to put it down once I started reading it. I will read it again.
Summary: The book centers around a boy named America, who is seriously screwed up from the events that happened to him by the very people he learned to trust. He ends up in a psych hospital where there's a doctor who earns America's trust, slowly but surely. America eventually gets well enough to get out of the psych hospital and into a transitional living home.
Favorite Line: "I'm in America, and America is me."
Banned Reasons: Inappropriate use of language and graphic description of sexual activity. There is definitely an inappropriate use of language in the book, but it's sort of to be expected... especially after knowing everything America has been thru. The sexual activity, on the other hand, isn't as graphically depicted as the critics claim. There are sexually active parts in the book, but they do not go into graphic detail.
Overall: The reasons the book is banned from school are valid. I was surprisingly drawn into the book and didn't want to put it down once I started reading it. I will read it again.
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