Book Censorship Cases on the Rise

The Kid's Right to Read Project (KRRP) recently reported that this year, more parents and government officials are trying to get questionable books out of classrooms. (About 53% more than last year.) This year alone, groups of people in 29 states are fighting to get certain books banned from their school district.

Whether this is a result of parents and leaders getting more assertive, or as a natural reaction to the increase in mature content in books, the result is the same. People are angry on both sides. According to a Galley Cat  article, one of the books being disputed this year is The Color Purple by Alice Walker.

Although I have not read THE COLOR PURPLE, my wife attempted it and I scanned a few pages. All I know is that there was some disturbing sexual abuse going on and quite a few F-words. If any followers of this blog have read this book, it would be helpful if you could tell us about your experience in the comment section.

Although the upcoming Story Surgeon eBook editing app will probably not completely satisfy anti-censorship advocates, it will certainly go a long way to bridge the gap between the KRRP and concerned parents. (More on the app later.)

I've included a list of the most frequently challenged books in 2012. According to the Office for Intellectual Freedom, out of 464 challenges, these ten were reported the most. Have you read any of them? Do you think the objections are valid?

 

1. Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey.

Reasons: Offensive language, unsuited for age group

2. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

by Sherman Alexie.
Reasons: Offensive language, racism, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group

3. Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher.
Reasons: Drugs/alcohol/smoking, sexually explicit, suicide, unsuited for age group

4. Fifty Shades of Grey, by E. L. James.
Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit

5. And Tango Makes Three 

by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson.
Reasons: Homosexuality, unsuited for age group

6. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini.
Reasons: Homosexuality, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit

7. Looking for Alaska, by John Green.
Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group

8. Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz
Reasons: Unsuited for age group, violence

9. The Glass Castle, by Jeanette Walls
Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit

10. Beloved, by Toni Morrison
Reasons: Sexually explicit, religious viewpoint, violence

Spotlight - Orson Scott Card (Read with Discretion Author)

Orson Scott Card is an active, outspoken member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He's almost combative in his stance against gay marriage and often shares his testimony of the restored gospel with the world in general. However, the content of his books doesn't always portray the wholesome, family-friendly values that the LDS church espouses. In fact many of them contain graphic violence, sexuality (including rape, pedophilia, and homosexuality), as well as profanity.

Now, this blog isn't about trying to figure out why an author writes a certain way. Its purpose is to help parents make informed choices. With that in mind, I'll present a brief overview of the books I've read by Card, to give you an idea of which books are okay for your teens and which you might want to leave on the shelf. At least until the Story Surgeon App is ready. 

(Side note: My Project has been approved by Kickstarter and we'll launch the campaign on Thursday, Jan 16th. More on that later.)

Now for the list. I'll start with the tamer ones.

The only works I can think of that might be G rated are his books on writing. (Which are actually very good resources for those wanting to learn the craft.) Although there may be an occasional minor expletive. (Not that your preschoolers will be reading this one, anyway.)

Writing Resources - SURGEON GENERAL RATING - G

The PG category contains most of Card's religious work. The WOMEN OF GENESIS series does contain some tastefully done intimate scenes and they might be better classified in the PG-13 category, but because my mom read them and didn't object, I'm going to go with the lower rating.

Women of Genesis Series

SURGEON GENERAL RATING - PG

Pathfinder was supposed to be Card's first crack at the YA genre. He does tone down the mature content (although he still manages to fit in his mandatory crotch reference), but besides that, it's indistinguishable from his adult works. (Unless you count characters acting more like children.) I actually really enjoyed the first in the series. The second was too full of pointless bickering and meandering plot for me to recommend.

Pathfinder Series

SURGEON GENERAL RATING - PG

I was surprised to find that this spin off (or prequel) to the Ender books was actually cleaner than the original books. I loved Earth Unaware, but gave up on Earth Afire (which is nothing like the first.) In these, you only have to worry about some minor swearing and some mild violence.

The First Formic War Series

SURGEON GENERAL RATING - PG

This fantasy series that was supposed to be loosely based on the life of Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet, starts out tame enough, but by the end books, the violence and sexuality get pretty graphic. A promising story, that grows increasingly convoluted until even Card couldn't bring it all together for the conclusion. A sad way to finish a series. (Even without the rape references.)

Alvin Maker Series

SURGEON GENERAL RATING - PG to PG-13

Ender's Game was the first I read of Card's novels and I loved it. Just watch out for violence and sexual references. For specific content see the SSG review. The Shadow Spinoffs are hit and miss. Most are about the same level of content as the main series.

Ender's Game and Shadow Spinoff Series

SURGEON GENERAL RATING - PG-13

Saints was a surprise for me. Although fiction, it portrays real events and people in a way that make the early leaders of the Mormon church seem like imperfect humans dedicated to a greater cause. I'd recommend it for older readers, however, since there is violence and the intimate scenes involving early church leaders, although tastefully done, may be jarring.

Saints

SURGEON GENERAL RATING - PG-13

Now we come to the mature section. The following books are (R) rated. Treasure box had extreme violence. Songmaster and Hamlet have themes (and scenes) of homosexuality. Enchantment has disturbing violence and sexuality.

The Remainder of Card's Novels (that I've read)

SURGEON GENERAL RATING - (R)

So, in conclusion, Card is a powerful storyteller, (when he manages to form his plot into a cohesive whole) but doesn't have much of a filter. If anyone would like to add to, or correct anything in this post, please comment, or email me. In the mean time, proceed with caution. Especially where your kids are involved.

The Warrior Heir - (PG-13)

SURGEON GENERAL RATING - PG-13

This is an older fantasy that my brother recommended. The profanity is mild, but what you have to watch out for is the violence. Several people die in brutal/bloody ways. Although you don't generally see it happen, he describes the blood and the mangled bodies ("nearly ripped in half" sort of thing.)

Overall, I found it interesting but couldn't relate to the I-don't-know-what-I-want-but-I-like-to-whine main character. The stats presented here are for the first half of the book. (I made it to 7 of 11 CDs before I gave up.) But unless there was a surprise sex scene at the end, this should give you an idea if you want your teens reading it.

Language - Mild

Sexuality - Mild

Violence - Moderate

Adult Themes - Some

The Warrior Heir gets a (PG-13) rating for content.  

Three stars. 

(The STAR RATINGS on this blog represent MATURE CONTENT only. The less objectionable content, the higher the rating.)