Can you help defend Eleanor & Park from censorship?
Since Eleanor & Park came out three years ago, it's been challenged a number of times by people who don't believe it's appropriate for teens to read. These challenges can get ugly -- books banned, author visits canceled, librarians threatened.
When this happens -- to my book and others -- the National Coalition Against Censorship swoops in heroically to defend the books and our freedom to read.
But during these challenges, the voices of readers are rarely heard. Especially the voices of young readers.
I can defend my book, the NCAC can say why the book is valuable for teens -- but that isn't nearly as powerful as testimonials from readers.
Could you help?
If Eleanor & Park was important to you -- or to your students -- could you write a letter saying so?
It doesn't have to be long. And you don't have to be a teen to share your experience. (Though, again, the NCAC would really love to hear from young adults.)
If the book made you laugh or cry... If it changed the way you see yourself or other people... If you thought to yourself, "I'm so glad to be reading this while I'm in high school"... Or "I wish that I'd had this book in high school ..."
Please, write it down and send it to the NCAC. They'll be so grateful.
And so will I.
Here's the address --
NCAC
19 Fulton St., Suite 407
New York, NY 10038
Or email --
ncac@ncac.org
message 1:
by
Kate
(new)
Sep 23, 2016 02:15AM
Just re-read this today, so perfect timing :)
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I'm reading this book now. I'm absolutely loving it. But I don't see what the problem is, it's a fine read for teens.
How can some agency stop us from what WE want to read. I live in South East Asia, and I've read your book (multiple times if I may add). I loved it. I don't see why this agency wants to ban Eleanor and Park for cencorship. I mean, I read what I wanna read. The thing is, it's a romance, so they have to kiss at least once. I mean COME ON!
It's so ridiculous that people want to choose what books we can and cannot read. It's absolutely annoying and goes against the 1st amendment of the country. It's a book that dwells into the lives of everyday young adults. Do something else like don't read it if it"offends" you. But I and many others shall read it as we please.
I will! And I will tell my friends that read it to do so! This is non-sense...
I can't tell you how many students I've personally handed this book to since it came out. I can't keep it on the shelf, and every single person I've recommended it to has LOVED it... tears, laughter, such a powerful and well-written story! I'll see if I can get some students to write a letter, and I certainly will! Thank you for this moving, funny, important story filled with the realities and complexities of human life.
message sent and plea posted to Facebook. I tell everyone to read this book and everyone comes back and thanks me as it ends up being one of their favorite books ever. thank you so much for this beautiful book.
Honestly, this is the best thing that can happen to a book. Now kids are DEFINITELY going to want to read it!
Such a wonderful book, I see nothing wrong with teenagers reading this and would, in fact, purchase it for them as a gift!
I've emailed - hopefully they allow high school kids to read this book- especially Seniors.
I just started reading this and I'm in love with it!
It's really a unique story! I enjoyed it very much!
This is one of my favorite books! I will definitely be sending an email!
I honestly adored this book and I felt like it gave a voice of representation where I feel other books haven't. It's important for all kinds of people to be able to read these kinds of books.I hope this book never gets banned- it's amazing!
I will definitely send a letter off! Your characters were so real and relatable no one should be banned from reading about their story. Thank you for exploring identity, abuse, discrimination and so many other topics youth need to hear at this age now more than ever!
I'll try! I don't think this book deserves to be censored at all!
what! why? I mean, it's nothing compared to the movies nowadays. (in terms of censorship)Please don't do this to my favorite book. PLEASE.
This book is phenomenal. My 15 year old daughter read it and so did I. We understood where the characters were coming from and I would be happy to read this book again. Since this is an issue, I will read it again and I will encourage my daughter to comment on it and read it again. How can a book be censored? Isn't this against freedom of speech? People can carry guns in public places, but books can be banned? What is wrong with us?
I adore this book. I will send an email tomorrow.
I just started reading this book and i am really into it.
This is one of the best books I've ever read!! I just couldn't get enough of it! I really wished Rowell made a squeal to it! :(
Why on earth would they want to censor this book?!?!?!As a young adult I would say this is one of the best books I've ever read and one of the most ifluencial books I've ever read.
if mother only knew we lived through all the books she hid -
It's honestly one of my favorite all time reads
Sent! <3 honestly it's probably my favourite book of all time!
It's a brilliant book, and I am glad that your asking teens for their opinions on it. Our voices don't get heard as often as they should.
The book deals with the realities of being a teenager. People wanting to censor it seem to have a sugarcoated idea of what it's like to be a teenager or seem to think that they have to protect teens from real life experiences. This book does a number of wonderful things- it's a joy to read, it helps teens in other situations understand what it's like to be different or marginalised and last, it makes those teens on the outskirts feel comforted that there's someone out there who understands them thus giving giving them hope.
I cannot believe they have the audacity to threaten this book with censorship! I've read books like Hunger Games which I loved but personally thought was a little too graphic for a young adult book... Eleanor and Park is such a wonderful, emotional read that everyone should be able to enjoy. There's nothing about it that I think would need to be censored. I don't understand why violence is so acceptable compared to stories like this? I went through all of the feels reading this book, and they both realistic and relateable.
You can bet I will be writing my letter! This book has meant so much to me!
I owe librarians and authors an apology. I haven't been taking them seriously enough in their fight to protect our right to read. Until today, Banned Books Week for me has been an endcap at a bookstore, a poster at my library, and a hashtag on Twitter. I didn't realize there was anything I could—or should—do about it. Thank you, Rainbow Rowell, for making us all accountable. Letter sent.
I'm curious as to what they're mad about? The swearing? Umm, gosh there wasn't even full sex, unlike most YA books I've read! I'm a bit puzzled, really. Good publicity though! Maybe they're against boys wearing eyeliner? Or the admission that life is tough for teens... Hmm anyway, so glad to have met you in Melbourne recently and I shall email those people as the thirty-something YA lover/writer that I am! Love your work xx
the hell???????? how is this book not appropriate???????? some people, i swear....... definitely sending an email.
I had no idea this was the case. So I've dropped my praise for this book (which I wish had been around when I was in high school) in an email to the NCAC. I'm from Scotland so not in the US so not sure if my comments help or not but have shared them nonetheless. As this is an absolute outrage!
Done! I'm not even sure what are they protesting about.
I offered this as extra credit to my students--falls perfectly in with our discussions on Banned Books Week. Hopefully you'll be hearing from a few of my middle schoolers, and good luck!
Email sent! Everyone help out if you can. This book is truly life changing.
Only the coolest books get banned. Rainbow you're in the banned club. Woot Woot! I loved this book. I wear the necklace from Owlcrate.
If it's banned, I need to go out and buy a hard copy since I only have the audiobook.
Some banned books: Persepolis, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Catcher in the Rye, Harry Potter and I Know Why the Cages Bird Sings.
Go Rainbow!
I have sent an email to them because this book was one of the first YA novels to actually make me feel like I could meet the two characters in real life. It was amazing! I will always support any and everything that you write!
Don't worry, we won't let this happen! I didn't even know books could still get banned in this day and age. I'm pretty astonished to learn that. Eleanor & Park is a lovely and unique YA novel and there's nothing to censor in there.
This is an excellent and important book for teens to read as is. Teens can be self-absorbed, and it helps them understand and hopefully even empathize with kids who seem different from the norm. Not every kid has a cozy and comfortable life, and that's something most teens may not think about....until they read this book.
I don't understand what the problem is. Other books have much stronger/more mature content and these students are getting ready to go to college.
WE USE THIS BOOK IN OUR SEVENTH GRADE CLASSROOM!!! If teachers think it's fine for NON-TEENS to read, why in the world do people think that it's NOT for teens? To me, this makes no sense whatsoever.
