tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post7898531455088053713..comments2024-03-19T08:18:28.694-06:00Comments on The Dashner Dude: Banned Books WeekJames Dashnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09858761509340907465noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-18795707687956109992009-10-01T10:46:23.945-06:002009-10-01T10:46:23.945-06:00James, you know that if your book was banned, we&#...James, you know that if your book was banned, we'd meet in secret in the middle of the night at your house to get a copy and read it in secret places forever more. And then we would put up a protest.Vanessa M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04028396326058587841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-56629347810778469742009-10-01T10:27:40.732-06:002009-10-01T10:27:40.732-06:00Stupid thing won't let me subscribe to future ...Stupid thing won't let me subscribe to future comments unless I was already signed in...<br /><br />*(g)rumble rumble rumble*<br /><br />:DBritthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11571318111686751924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-8703015018551296902009-10-01T10:26:53.983-06:002009-10-01T10:26:53.983-06:00Wow.
Should not have been reading this while drin...Wow.<br /><br />Should not have been reading this while drinking chocolate milk. :D<br /><br />And call me crazy, but I see a big difference between expressing concerns about a book's appropriateness for classroom reading (which may or may not lead to the teacher choosing a different book instead) and insisting a book be removed from a library. While I might not like my child being required to read The Kite Runner in his 10th grade class (since that was the example used) and would likely go to the teacher with concerns, that is not the same as saying the kids shouldn't have any access to it.<br /><br />Off to see if Maze Runner is in the library system yet....Britthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11571318111686751924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-71278458974720219722009-09-30T22:29:40.442-06:002009-09-30T22:29:40.442-06:00Epsilon--
There's not an "official"...Epsilon--<br /><br />There's not an "official" department of book review ratings (I dare not say "the government" rates books 'cause then I'll incur the wrath of the-lawyer-who-shall-not-be-named---j/k Kenny haha)...anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, book rating office...<br /><br />BUT, you can go to ratedreads.com, and that's pretty close.<br /><br />Banning books is crappy behavior, but applying an age-appropriate rating system is good common sense. When I was in 7th grade we had to get permission slips to watch PG-13 movies in class, I think the same standard ought to be applied to other media content on an equivalent scale.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13342192635635750418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-47761182195319253272009-09-30T21:49:22.399-06:002009-09-30T21:49:22.399-06:00I think regardless of our take on parental involve...I think regardless of our take on parental involvement the answer is simple: <br /><br />Create a book rating system that works in the same way it does for movies or video games. The Motion Picture Association of America looks at every movie and then rates it according to uniform standards. Parents can get a good idea of what the movies are like, but no one is limited in what movies they can watch. Schools can only show movies that exceed a certain rating by having the parents sign permission slips. If a child's parents don't want them to see it, then that child won't, but the rest of the class will still be able to.<br /><br />As far as I know, there hasn't been much controversy over the availability of movies. If it can work for film, why can't it work for books too? <br /><br />I see where Nemo is coming from on points 3, 4, 7, & 5 of his original post. I'm apathetic about 1 & 2. 6-10 annoy me, though.<br /><br />6. Asking for a book to removed from library shelves is not the same as "burning" or "banning" the book.<br /><br />If stopping readers from reading a book isn't banning, I'm curious to know what your definition is. <br /><br />7. Not every book that wins an award is really great literature.<br /><br />Having been a victim of the Grapes of Wrath and the Scarlet Letter, I agree with this. What annoys me is that it's off topic. None of the posts have disputed this, and it has nothing to do with whether books are banned or not. Case in point, Huck Finn is considered great literature, and it's near the top of the "disputed books" list.<br /><br />8. Harry Potter is not a book, he is a character in a series of books... not all of them equally good.<br /><br />This is also off topic. It also states the obvious. All the books in any series are going to be different amounts of good. Finally, this point doesn't support his thesis, which is that parents should have control over what their children read, unless I've drastically misunderstood what he was trying to get at.<br /><br />9. Books requested for removal from library shelves are not being "censored." Censorship is the prohibition or blockage of material, not taking a book off a shelf.<br /><br />Dito Dashner's statement about the idea being the important thing. <br /><br />10. Did you reach this far? good... you really can read. Before you praise or condemn any book, READ IT. And then read a few hundred others. And THEN decide whether it is great literature or not.<br /><br />Ditto my comment on #7. Also Ditto Dashner's comment on this.Gavin Chatterleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03267495215000975174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-28224939828804144932009-09-30T20:24:40.545-06:002009-09-30T20:24:40.545-06:00Wormwood,
While I applaud your obviously successf...Wormwood,<br /><br />While I applaud your obviously successful strategy in this limited forum to simultaneously crow the virtues of "free speech" and "ideas" while shouting down the voice of any dissenter, you must be cautious of using this stratagem too much. Do remember the parable of The Devil's Advocate.<br /><br />I remain, your dutiful uncle.Screwtapenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-61798980625533956472009-09-30T20:08:34.663-06:002009-09-30T20:08:34.663-06:00James - Only six more days until the Maze Runner i...James - Only six more days until the Maze Runner is officially out! I'm so excited for you!!!Danyelle Fergusonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00006907198681924095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-22414021809624362812009-09-30T18:25:49.666-06:002009-09-30T18:25:49.666-06:00I can agree with 75% of that. The whole Falcons=be...I can agree with 75% of that. The whole Falcons=best-NFL-team is a little too big to swallow.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13342192635635750418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-30742550503680598102009-09-30T16:47:48.219-06:002009-09-30T16:47:48.219-06:00Brickhouse79 - that would be so cool to be banned!...Brickhouse79 - that would be so cool to be banned! We can only hope...<br /><br />I'm always happy to see a good debate, and I love seeing both sides of the story. Nothing in this world is black and white, that's for sure.<br /><br />Thanks to everyone - I've thoroughly enjoyed reading the comments this week!<br /><br />Nemo - no hard feelings from my side. Hope that's mutual.<br /><br />And Kenny - you are so mean! I bet you and Nemo could get along just great.<br /><br />I think we can all agree on this: Books are good. And the Falcons are the best NFL team. And I go on tour in 6 days and I'm terrified. And there's no food that can't be improved with a big block of cheese sitting next to it.James Dashnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09858761509340907465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-90074175472063861052009-09-30T15:42:11.708-06:002009-09-30T15:42:11.708-06:00Penelope said:
"A co-worker's wife is a ...Penelope said:<br /><br />"A co-worker's wife is a teacher. Last night they had a "curriculum night" for the class of 25. 3 parents showed up."<br /><br />That doesn't seem like a big deal to me. I'd be willing to bet that if all 25 parents showed up, those same 3 would be the ones with the complaints. In my mind, there's a big difference between being an attentive, helpful parent and micromanaging your child's life.<br /><br />(I remember when I was in high school there was a big hulabaloo about an English class wanting kids to read Isabelle Allende's <i>House of the Spirits</i>. In the end, I read the book. I can't even remember what it was about, let alone what was objectionable about it. On the other hand, I can remember a lot of disturbingly dirty jokes I heard in gym class. You can't manage every "inappropriate" thing that a kid is going to hear. The best you can do is teach your kids your values, communicate with them openly, and help them make good decisions. That sounds a lot more effective to me than trying to approve and vet every single curriculum requirement.RobisonWellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08310316083080976885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-2685763976746063692009-09-30T12:45:10.898-06:002009-09-30T12:45:10.898-06:00Ok. Good point. A revision then. "...if th...Ok. Good point. A revision then. "...if thier parents have expressed no objection." The point of low parent particpation is moot really. That is a societal issue that is much deeper than the concept of book banning.<br /><br />The other questions you ask are not really things that can be addressed in a blog comments field. But if you are inferring that schools do NOT have the best interest of the kids in mind (in a social agenda sort of way, not a corrupt beauracracy sort of way) and that they purposefully choose books of little value... I think this becomes an etirely different debate.<br /><br />I still stand by my comments (with the revision of course :P) as I would likely be one of those 3 who showed up.brickhouse79https://www.blogger.com/profile/09913296748672842239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-21706308460847558952009-09-30T12:26:01.444-06:002009-09-30T12:26:01.444-06:00"if their parents DO approve."
Do they ..."if their parents DO approve."<br /><br />Do they approve? Have they all read the books in question? or is it the assumption of the parents that the school has the best interests of the children at heart?<br /><br />By what qualification do those who have selected the books deem them of value?<br /><br />A co-worker's wife is a teacher. Last night they had a "curriculum night" for the class of 25. 3 parents showed up.Penelopenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-33169505955241655042009-09-30T12:17:08.858-06:002009-09-30T12:17:08.858-06:00While I recognize it is difficult to decipher sarc...While I recognize it is difficult to decipher sarcasm and lighthearted debate from outright meanness online, I am a little shocked at what I've read and could not help but joining the fray.<br /><br />The undertones of fear mongering and speaking in extremes that are found in some of these comments are what I find so disturbing...SOOO much more than what might happen if my child is asked to read a book for school I find questionable.<br /><br />For me, it is as simple as this: If you object, you have the right to impose restrictions on YOUR OWN children and ask that they receive a different assignment (if that is the issue). Accommodations must be and will be made (or it becomes a whole other legal issue).<br /><br />However, you do NOT have the right to impose those same restrictions on other students if their parents DO approve.<br /><br />Sure, sometimes this causes us some discomfort as a society. Sometimes it makes situations difficult and, dare I say, hard. SUCK IT UP! It’s the price of freedom in a society of diverse backgrounds and beliefs.<br /><br />I could talk about this for hours, but others already have… much more eloquently than I ever could, and no doubt-- it would simply be a waste of time. <br /><br />Congrats on the release of Maze Runner coming James! I hope your book gets banned too! So so violent...*hibbily jibbilies*brickhouse79https://www.blogger.com/profile/09913296748672842239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-52757875086975388592009-09-30T09:19:39.377-06:002009-09-30T09:19:39.377-06:00And what if the mother did have an objection after...And what if the mother did have an objection after reading the book? What then? And how many parents need to object before it is removed from the class? One? Six? Half? All? Or is the teacher a better judge of what is right for the students than the parents, and if he thinks the class should read it, they should?Penelopenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-75820880630734370382009-09-30T08:47:20.714-06:002009-09-30T08:47:20.714-06:00Without jumping into the Kenny/Nemo foray (Team Ke...Without jumping into the Kenny/Nemo foray (Team Kenny!), I'd like to give an illustration to my opposition to book banning.<br />I live in an extremely liberal town on the East Coast (surprising right?) while my sister-in-law lives in the heart of conservatism. When they came to visit she would have her sixteen year old son leave the room any time we discussed adult topics (anything ranging from gangs to homosexuality). To me she was doing him no favors because how is he supposed to come to his own decisions about things when he has never had the opportunity to even think about them.<br />Now, another niece came out to visit and she read some E. Lockhart while she was here, including The Boy Book, which was recently pulled from shelfs in Texas. I called her parents first to see if they were okay with her reading it because of its content. I can honestly say it made a big impact on her. Her conversations went from which boy is hot to do any of these boys deserve her time. Big jump for that 15 year old girl.<br />I think the little girl who read it in Texas was obviously not ready for it. However, others were and the book will obviously be beneficial. So when the library has already deemed it age appropriate (i.e. no Kama Sutra in the elementary school) the parents should step in within their own range of control. They should take the book from their daughter, but not from everyone. <br />My brother is a fourth grade teacher and had The Giver challenged. The mother claimed she had no problems with language or violent books, but the stirrings Jonah felt were entirely inappropriate. So my brother gave her a copy and asked her to read it before he read any more with the class. She changed her mind because she thought it was great. Her initial misconception would have had that whole class miss out on a literary great because she didn't like it. <br />I fully agree with parents right to parent, but only their own children. If something is wrong for your child, then take your child out of it. As for me, I want my child to be aware and thoughtful and I believe the way to do it is through age-appropriate, thought-provoking literature.Mrs. Berretthttp://mookseandgripes.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-64469498653913007322009-09-29T22:24:00.446-06:002009-09-29T22:24:00.446-06:00Angst? I don't think you're reading my wor...Angst? I don't think you're reading my words in the same spirit that I'm writing them. Lot gets lost in text. <br /><br />In the end, no hard feelings, brother.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13342192635635750418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-39778749826274608662009-09-29T22:10:00.406-06:002009-09-29T22:10:00.406-06:00NumberOneDashnerFan, thank you for the links. Two ...NumberOneDashnerFan, thank you for the links. Two point to the same reference (a single 1990 incident, but a counter) and the third actually makes no citation, but still.... $25 to you. Send me your e-mail at authortours@gmail.com and I will send you your $$. I did not look deeply enough to find it: thanks for persevering.<br /><br />Graham, what can I say? I regret you have so much angst and so little to say on the topic. Apparently I have struck a nerve for you.<br /><br />James, I leave you to your fans. May they never turn on you...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-62409639039054451552009-09-29T21:28:31.306-06:002009-09-29T21:28:31.306-06:00http://www.etownian.com/dbltruck/09.27.2007/08-09_...http://www.etownian.com/dbltruck/09.27.2007/08-09_Issue05.pdf<br /><br />http://www2.lib.udel.edu/subj/lgst/resguide/wizardex/wizardbib.htm<br /><br />http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syltguides/fullview/R35VVPN7OSI8N<br /><br />...theres your refences to the challange of the ban of c.s. lewis books... And im still sticking to my comment above and ya I've read the website james posted and i agree with his comments ....numberonedashnerfanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08318622266362093495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-8816531283750721102009-09-29T21:21:04.495-06:002009-09-29T21:21:04.495-06:00Oh I'm so sorry Nemo. I'll try to elevate ...Oh I'm so sorry Nemo. I'll try to elevate myself to your level of decency, complete with self-aggrandizing statements in the form of a 37-paragraph harangue. <br /><br />It's funny how you're the only one to personally respond to my "insult", which everyone else understood as a blanket statement that arguing on the Internet is plain stupid. <br /><br />But don't worry; I'd say that to your face too.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13342192635635750418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-12539448382817767182009-09-29T20:54:58.039-06:002009-09-29T20:54:58.039-06:00Georgie Porgie, pudding and pie,
kissed the girls ...<i>Georgie Porgie, pudding and pie,<br />kissed the girls and made them cry.<br />When the boys came ot to play,<br />Georgie Porgie ran away.</i><br /><br />Kenny, no concession, save for yours. You bring no facts, only insults and attacks.<br /><br />Maprilynne, no justifiable reason for a challenge to <b>The Kite Runner?</b> "Challenged as appropriate study in tenth-grade honors English class...because the novel depicts a sodomy rape in graphic detail." So the precious idea that Kenny is defending is exposing 15 and 16 year olds to this kind of thing? Is the idea that the children have already been exposed to it? Parents are “idiots” for questioning why this is something their children are reading in school?<br /><br />James, how are parents to “do their own parenting” when they are not allowed to challenge what is used in the school? And why should I trust the publisher? Should I trust RJ Reynolds? Both want to sell product.<br /><br />Graham Chops, <i>et tu</i>? Where is the common decency not to be insulting to someone you do not know? The Internet is not a source of good information or a place where “people” bother with facts… look at Kenny.<br /><br />To all: James on down took exception to my 10th point, that you had read that far. To quote from Frank Herbert’s <b>Dune</b>, when I display a garment of general cut why do you insist it is meant for your own frame? Only Maprilynne indicates she has actually read the document on why books were banned. She does not agree… fine. But my question remains: why do the challengers not have the right to ask the question, but the rest who object to the objection have all the rights?<br /><br />Is my mistake in thinking the Dashner fans are unable to face a challenge of reason? (Spare me the flames, people… it is a serious question since there is no serious response EXCEPT from James himself).<br /><br />Apparently, Kenny does not need the prize, but let me be explicit. I will send a $25 Amazon gift certificate to anyone, even Kenny, who can do any of the following: 1. Identify where I advocate the banning of books (I support the right to question authority, something Kenny does not allow); 2. A verifiable reference to the challenge or ban of ANY book by C.S. Lewis.<br /><br />FYI, if anyone wises to Challenge James’ book(s), you may do so here: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/challengereporting/onlinechallengeform/index.cfmAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-78845208723469279172009-09-29T20:15:17.982-06:002009-09-29T20:15:17.982-06:00Reading through the comments makes me want to sing...Reading through the comments makes me want to sing Kum Bay Ya and light a candle for Kenny and Nemo. Come By Here, boys, Come By Here.<br /><br />But you can't deny the entertainment factor.<br /><br />Aprilynne, you're looking hot as always. Me-ow!Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13020235392352824025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-78468511708862128232009-09-29T18:05:46.949-06:002009-09-29T18:05:46.949-06:00We're not your research assistants, Nemo.
Gra...We're not your research assistants, Nemo.<br /><br />Graham's gentle criticism notwithstanding, I enjoy a lively debate, even on the Internet. But I'm starting to feel like I'm beating up a defenseless child, so I'm going to take your digression as concession and step away from the podium. <br /><br />You all know my mind; ideas are precious, perhaps especially the ones we find most challenging. Banned Book Week is a great way to raise awareness that, even if it isn't a "big" problem "right now," the problem of censorship is always lurking.<br /><br />He's all yours, James. I know you'll go easy on him. d^_~bKennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18409210638176004680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-78404271989342015762009-09-29T17:44:51.480-06:002009-09-29T17:44:51.480-06:00James,
Sorry, my bad. You called my comment "...James,<br /><br />Sorry, my bad. You called my comment "a bit mean spirited," not "small minded." I guess I was thinking of Kenny.<br /><br />Prize give-a-way to anyone who can give a verifiable reference to anyone who can give a verifiable refernece to a challenge to any of the 7 Narnia books.<br /><br />Or for that matter a challenge to the Freddy the Pig books of Walter R. Brooks... now THERE'S classic literature for kids.<br /><br />And a third prize to anyone who points out where I actually advocate the banning of books rather than supporting the rights of parents to challenge authority.<br /><br />Give me back my tax dollars wasted on public schools and I will let you have any book you want in there, challenge free!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-17643695416036081452009-09-29T17:37:00.382-06:002009-09-29T17:37:00.382-06:00I love the Giver! (and Harry Potter, of course. Bu...I love the Giver! (and Harry Potter, of course. But who doesn't love Harry Potter??)Panda Queenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10338454786601364374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648274871264107501.post-3635456666691755332009-09-29T17:25:40.161-06:002009-09-29T17:25:40.161-06:00Gee, Graham, no! What do they say about arguing o...Gee, Graham, no! What <i>do</i> they say about arguing on the Internet? :DAprilynne Pikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17542901402256938872noreply@blogger.com