Graham answers “Is there any inappropriate content in this...”

Amy asked this question about Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod:

Is there any inappropriate content in this book - sexual content, foul language? My daughter was assigned to read A Walk in the Woods - of which I am not okay with. She was given two other options to choose from - Winter Dance and Walden. I was able to find reviews on Common Sense Media of Walden and it seems ok, but I'm not finding for Winter Dance. I need to know asap if someone could reply quickly. Thank you!

Graham Bradley Sorry for commenting a year after the fact, but this is for other parents who might have your same question:

"Walk in the Woods" doesn't hold a candle …moreSorry for commenting a year after the fact, but this is for other parents who might have your same question:

"Walk in the Woods" doesn't hold a candle to this book in terms of its quality or merit. "Winterdance" has about half a dozen f-bombs, as many or more s-bombs, and several g-damns, the majority of which all come from dialogue and quotes Paulsen attributes to other people in the book.

(And given the context of the language, and the circumstances that brought it on--moose attacks, etc--it's at least defensible.)

As a father of three kids under ten, I would still recommend it, but this is a good book to read along with your daughter so that you can teach her--among many other things this book can teach--the circumstances under which people use such intense profanity, and why these circumstances are not all created equal.

The other things Paulsen learns from his journey as chronicled in this book are very valuable. (less)

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