BOOK: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Another book for the Dystopian challenge and the eponymous named banned book challenge. I guess I really needed to read this since it is the original book banning book. My husband said he read this in high school and really liked it. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it in a class with the analysis and discussion. To read it on my own was okay. I can't say I loved it but I recognize that it is an important book. I really liked the rant by Captain Beatty about the future and how freakily true it is to today's society. The way that information had to be shortened and shortened and dumbed down and how quickly information had to be taken in sounds like the twenty first century. I liked the hopeful end, and the way that a little thought was all that was needed to outwit the Hound.

I liked Fahrenheit 451 like I like broccoli: I know it's good for me, and I do like it, but I'd pick chocolate over broccoli any day. There are better options, but it is a nice change every now and then.

BOOK: The Giver

Finishing The Giver puts to rest my Banned Book Challenge, although I plan to read another couple before the end of June, but I feel like I met my committment. Phew.
It also starts my Dystopian Challenge, and wow, what a way to start. This book was amazing. I couldn't put it down once I started it. I haven't read a lot of this type of book. From the back:

Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. When Jonas turns twelve he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now it's time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

I am never too sure how much I want to disclose about a book and its plot or characters when I write these reviews. I knew very little about this book, so I went into it with no ideas, other than I'd read of people who loved the book so I don't want to say very much. I can understand why this book would be a favorite. Watching Jonas grow, at that magical age twelve, when children first begin to see beyond their safe little world, and as he begins to gain an understanding of his community and his bewilderment with the society that he lives in , was so well written and you hope he can come to some decision about sharing his feelings and memories.
This was an excellent story. I'm glad I purchased my copy so I can revisit it again. It is banned and challenged because of the euthanasia and birth decisions in the community, and "partially because some critics believe that Lowry is promoting the community Jonas lives in as an exemplary place to live."

BOOK: The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks

I remember reading this to a grade five class, maybe during student teaching, and I remembered that it was sweet. I picked it up at the second hand book store for my son, and then when the Banned Book Challenge started, I decided to reread it. What a great book!

I forgot the details of the story except that Omri recieves a plastic Indian for his birthday, and a cupboard that magically brings the Indian to life. From there, complications ensue. It was so well written, with wonderful characters and a great theme of the value of human life and the responsibilities of looking after a real person. Omri can't resist showing Little Bear, his Indian, to his friend, who then wants his own little person. Things start getting out of hand. This book was as good as I remembered and I'm glad I revisisted it. I would think the stereotypes of the Indian and his language were reason for banning. Now I need to get my son to read this.

BOOK: The Pigman by Paul Zindel

Another read for the Banned Book Challenge, (I'm trying to get mostly done by the end of the March Break) this was a young adult novel, very nicely done. Two teenagers on the fringe of society, with difficult homelives, make friends with an elderly neighbour. John and Lorraine takes turns telling their story about the life and death of the Pigman, Mr Pignati. Poignant story, very good read.

BOOK: The Boy Who Lost His Face by Louis Sachar

Another book for the Banned Book Challenge. This one I almost didn't read, because it is certainly geared toward junior high school kids. However, Sachar wrote Holes, which I adored last summer, so I gave it a try. It was very short - I read it in one night, while watching TV, but it does a good job of identifying the horrible problems of fitting it,and what to do when your so-called friends turn on you. Why are children so mean? David's friend, Scott, has decided he wants to be cool, so Scott starts hanging around with two of the popular guys. It was different to read this from a boys point of view, usually it's girls who get this treatment, in books at least. Anyway, they pull a prank on an old lady, who curses David, who was long for the prank as he was still trying to fit in with the jerks. He spends the rest of the book trying to break the curse, stand up to the bullies, make some new firends, and talk to a girl.
One thing I never understand with kids is the 'mean' thing. It was one thing to drop him as a friend, but then they have to actively pick on him and make his life miserable. They couldn't just ignore him, let him be miserable on his own. I'll remember this book to bring out for my son if the dreaded junior high years turn miserable.

BOOK: Ordinary People by Judith Guest

I really enjoyed this book. I knew the basic plot outline, as the Oscars in 1980 would have been one of the first I remember much about; I knew that Robert Redford directed, and that Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch and Timothy Hutton were in the award-winning movie. And I knew it was a tearjerker type of movie. Alas, I've never seen the movie, probably somewhat due to my (somewhat) strict, unwritten, internal rule to always read the book before seeing the movie. I know, it's been twenty seven years. I finally read the book.

The story is told from the son's, Conrad, point of view and alternates with the father's, Cal. Quite intentionally, the mother's point of view is never shown, and it is her that never really grows. She remains removed, separate from the events of the story. And yet it revolves around her. Both father and son try to get through the healing process of several tragedies that have happened to their family. The novel does a wonderful job of slowly, through flashbacks, telling the story of the death of the older brother, and how each of the remaining family members tries to deal with their guilt and memories. An excellent book, and one that I would read again.

I chose this from a list of banned or challenged books. There was some language, a few sex scenes, but not explicit at all, just referred to. This book is studied in high school, and doesn't seem inappropriate to the experiences many of them would deal with - family expectations, suicide, identity, guilt, and relationships.

BOOK: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis

I must be the only person in the world who never read this book as a child. My nine year old recently read it, even he read it before me. It was good, but I'm not rushing out to get the next books in the Chronicles of Narnia; however I will read them eventually. I had a lovely edition, hardcover, large size and illustrated by Pauline Baynes from the library.

It is the grandparent to Harry Potter and JK Rowling certainly got her inspiration from this story. I read this for the Banned Book Challenge, and I'm not sure why this would be a banned book. The Christian religious overtones? Giants and centaurs? Seemed pretty harmless to me. The analogy to Jesus and his crucifiction were certainly obvious, but for a children's book, I liked that. I was able to talk to my son about the parallels and hopefully he could begin to see the kinds of things that great books can do. Great kids book; OK for me.

BOOK: The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson

I read this book for the Banned Book Challenge, and it was a great read. The summary says " An eleven year old foster child tries to cope with her longings and fears as she schemes against everyone who tries to be friendly." The book plays out exactly as you would expect, and that seems somewhat cliche, but it is a children's book, and it is only cliche if you have read many books like this. It was well written, and I ached for poor Gilly. As a teacher, I wonder sometimes why some kids will sabotage themselves, and this gives an insight into the mind of a child who is just wanting acceptance, but has learned the hard way that if she puts herself in a position to care, she will be hurt.
I assume this has been challenged due to Gilly's prejudices against African-Americans, but she grows and becomes accepting of her teacher and her neighbour.

CHALLENGE: Banned Book Challenge

I made this! using this . Cool

CHALLENGE: Banned Book Challenge

The six books I plan to read, between Feb 26 and June 30th, 2007 for the Banned Book Challenge are:

Ordinary People by Judith Guest
The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynn Reid Banks
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis
The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
The Giver by Lois Lowry
The Boy Who Lost his Face by Louis Sachar

I am focusing on great children's literature because these are the types of books my son is reading right now.[and they are usually shorter!] Other adult ones I am thinking of including would be: In Cold Blood, Naked Lunch, One Hundred Years of Solitude or Love in the Time of Cholera and One Flew Over the Cuckoo Nest.

I'll add a list of other books from the list that I happen to read before the end of June:
The Pigman by Paul Zindel
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley