Comments on Anne Greenawalt: Reading Lolita "For Fun"

I really enjoyed reading about your experience wit...

2011-10-30T14:24:09.804-04:00

I really enjoyed reading about your experience with your mom. I think it was great how she didn't censor you from reading it. I can't tell you how many times I have heard parents tell their children "you're too young to know." There are some situations that children that age really shouldn't know, but I don't think saying that is the right way to handle it. It instead just makes them more and more curious. Honestly is the best way for students to learn and it makes uncomfortable situations easier to handle.

"If more people would take the time to ask qu...

2011-10-26T13:52:08.190-04:00

"If more people would take the time to ask questions about books and answer their children’s / students’ questions and curiosities with honesty, and not feel like their jobs were in jeopardy for doing so?"

Wow, what a fantastic Mom you have! I'm an advocate for honest, open dialogue in the classroom. If we are going to tackle difficult texts, then we need to absolutely be prepared to address the social/political issues that surround them. To do anything other than this is irresponsible, imo.

I'm so glad you shared your memories about you...

2011-10-23T22:28:37.848-04:00

I'm so glad you shared your memories about you and your mom, Anne. My mom is truly my best friend. It reminded me of when I was little and she used to take me to the Bookmobile since didn't have a local library. I once heard the incredibly ignorant statement that the Bookmobile (which really is a library on wheels!) "is a waste of taxpayers' money!" One: the Bookmobile is independently funded. Two: it is sad that someone would think tax money is better served elsewhere than in children's education.

Also, I completely agree with you guys that banning usually helps more than hinders. However, I think these bans are probably in place because at some point, how are the schools supposed to decipher between "exposing injustice" and senseless violence and indecency in a book? To me, the difference is clear but I'm sure people complained enough to get certain books banned. You're right though, Anne - subjects are only taboo because we make them taboo, and a lack of understanding on a topic only leads to misconceptions. I wish I knew more about the standard protocol for getting books approved, because I'm sure there is some way to find some justice for books like Huck Finn (one of my favorites!).

Anne, I agree with everything you have to say. I ...

2011-10-22T23:12:26.148-04:00

Anne, I agree with everything you have to say. I had a bad experiece compared with yours when I was growing up. For silent sustained reading in thrid grade I was reading Salem's Lot by Stephen Kind. Lookin appalled, by teacher questioned me and asked if I knew that there were bad words in the book. First of all, "bad words" were the least mature element in the book and of course I knew they were in there. Instead of asking me about my book or talking to me about the lessons I was learning, she decided to walk away and shake her head about the book. Now I know that a third grader reading Stephen King isn't exactly smiled upon, but I picked the book and my parents let me read it because they knew I could and wanted to read it. Does that make them bad parents? I would think not, but I am sure my teacher had a different opinion when it came to that book. As for book banning I agree that no book should be banned. Banning books makes it seem like it's not okay to be a thinker or to be radical. I think all books share a place in the world and that banning books just makes people more ignorant. You can hide an idea and a controversial issue, but that does not mean it is not there.