Wednesday, March 14, 2007

“The Higher Power of Lucky,” by Susan Patron--BANNNED

Our local newspaper “The Duluth News Tribune” ran an article this morning that caught my eye. In fact, it tied in nicely to my recent post about using the word “vagina.”

The DNT article talks about how the Newberry Award winning book, “The Higher Power of Lucky,” by Susan Patron is being banned in some libraries because the book uses the word “scrotum.”

From the article:
Many school librarians have decided to ban “The Higher Power of Lucky” from their shelves, either because they feel that it is inappropriate to expose young readers to the word “scrotum” — even though half of them possess one — or because they anticipate angry calls and letters from parents. There are so many troubling things about this attitude that it’s hard to know where to begin.

But I’ll begin with the facts of life. What, exactly, is the purpose served by insulating children from the words that refer to their own bodies, by shrouding those bodies in mystery?
Well said!!

Has anyone read the book? If so, tell us about it or send in your book review and we'll post it on the blog!



5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've read the book. It was well written, but the word 'scotum' made me feel a bit uncomfortable. But whatever-- it was still an awesome book and why would they bad it? That's like banning a book for saying 'breasts' or something.

Anonymous said...

I hated the book! I mean, sorry to sound disrespectful, but I believe that words like that shouldn't be used in childrens literature. What if parents don't want their children to know what scrotum means?

Anonymous said...

It shouldn't have been banned.

Anonymous said...

I see no reason to ban this book, especially for one single word. You're right--half of all mammals have one.

Anonymous said...

many parents may believe that they can control what their children know but only when the power of love overcomes the love of power will there be TRUE PEACE on OUR Planet.

Teach Your Children EVERYTHING, not just what YOU THINK you know!
THE ONLY SOLUTION IS EVOLUTION..

best wishes from New Zealand :)
Ben Jackson