LAST WEEK WAS BANNED BOOK WEEK
I read a few articles on books that have historically been banned and why. Some were pretty surprising, especially the children's books.
I think the one that surprised me most was "Captain Underpants". In 2012 in America it even beat "Fifty Shades of Grey" in the controversial stakes. Among other things Dav Pilkey's delightful Superhero book was accused of "offensive language" "partial nudity" "violence". In chapter 16 which is called 'The Extremely Graphic Violence Chapter' the evil robots are whacked with wooden planks.
My favourite picture book came in for some negative attention too. In 1963 "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak was banned in most southern states of the USA for its depiction of "Witchcraft and Supernatural events".
Who would have thought that "Harriet The Spy" by Louise Fitzhugh would have inflamed tempers. The book was banned from several schools for being "a bad example for children". It was challenged for teaching "children to lie, spy, talk back and curse". Naughty Harriet.
Of course we all know about the hot water poor old JK got herself into with her stunningly wonderful series. Angry accusations of witchcraft and occult themes abounded in several countries. In 2001 a group of US parents organised a book burning party saying the Harry Potter books promoted violence, witchcraft and devil worship. When the fire department arrived to stop them they resorted to chopping up the books with scissors. Behaviour worthy of a Harry Potter book in itself, I'd say. :)
So if you get time...
Email: sharontregenza@gmail.com
2 comments:
It's spam. Let's ban it!
Incredible that they banned 'Where the wild Things Are' for promoting supernatural events. They may as well have banned dreams, or gone the whole hog and banned imagination.
Couldn't agree more, Moira. It's one of my all time favourites too.
Post a Comment