Chris Crutcher's book removed from summer reading program
Chris Crutcher's book Angry Management has been removed from a summer reading program because ONE angry parent decided that, after "reading" the first twenty-four pages, it had too much profanity. Yeah, you read that right. That offends me on so many levels. One parent gets to decide for the entire summer reading program, not just his kid? Based on only the first twenty-four pages–where swearing fit the context and the characters going through hard lives? And please–teens are not new to swearing, and there is so much on TV and movies alone. Why go after a book that gets the reader inside the character and offers insight?
I LOVE Chris Crutcher's response–to send five copies of Angry Management to the local library near where the book was removed. You go, Chris! Smart teens will still access his book, and decide for themselves whether it appeals to them or not. And I think it will.
This is another book that is going on my to-read pile, now. I hope it'll go on yours, too.
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Welcome to the negative world of activism where a vocal minority can have a large impact.
Yes. That's well put, John. Especially in schools, it seems. But then--I also think that readers, authors, librarians, and teachers have a voice...and when we use it, it can help a lot.
It was removed from the reading list AND all district library shelves. It was literally banned, not just challenged. And it appears there was no reconsideration process, but a personal agreement between the parent and one district curriculum director. In terms of Supreme Court rulings that's illegal. I hope the kids in Camden, South Carolina protest the fact that one man felt he had the right to deny their right to read -- their parents' right to parent THEM. I really do.
Oh, UG, Kelly. I hate it when people ban books. Especially good ones; Chris Crutcher has a lot of thoughtfulness in his books. And no reconsideration process--that's wrong. There should always be a process. I feel very lucky to have had Boone County Library go through the process and then keep Scars on their shelves. To allow one parent to decide...is wrong.
