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Ill. Parents Seek to Ban Award-Winning Novel

Language, sex in Alexie book inappropriate for high schoolers

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 22, 2009 12:23 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Parents at an Illinois high school are trying to get Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian taken off the summer reading list, and out of the school’s library, the Chicago Tribune reports. “I can’t imagine anyone finding this book appropriate for 13- or 14-year-olds,” said one who showed up at a district board meeting, complaining that the book contained foul language and descriptions of sex.

At the very least, they want a warning on the book, and say students will think the school condones the profanity used in the book. But backers say it’s a realistic depiction of life for incoming freshmen. “That is like saying that because Romeo and Juliet committed teen suicide, we condone teen suicide,” said one teacher. “Kids know the difference.”

The cover of Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.
The cover of Sherman Alexie's "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian."   (Hachette Books)
Sherman Alexie accepts the National Book Award for Young People's Literature for his book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian at the 58th National Book Awards in New York, Nov. 14, 2007.
Sherman Alexie accepts the National Book Award for Young People's Literature for his book "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" at the 58th National Book Awards in New York, Nov. 14, 2007.   (AP Photo)
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I began reading, and I started to cross out sections that I didn't want him to read. Soon I thought, "Wait, this is not appropriate; he is not reading this." - Jennifer Anderson, parent of an incoming Antioch High School freshman

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 16 comments
mockingbird
Jun 23, 2009 12:39 PM CDT
Meh. I read Stephen King in elementary school (precocious child, that one) and I turned out all right. *twitch* *slobber* ;-D I also read Tolkien at that time. (What can I say? My classes were boring.) Parents: Expose your children to ideas. Foster the development of critical thought - and the appreciation of thought divergent from one's own. I'm not saying that one should read _Catcher in the Rye_ to your kindergartener, but the encouragement of the exploration of ideas mulled cannot help but lead to depth and breadth in consideration. And, yeah, ya'll - I'm saying this as a parent of two kiddos. The aforementioned can be scary on our end, but sheltering unto brain death does your children no favors.
Mad
Jun 23, 2009 12:09 PM CDT
"Peyton Place"? You mean Palin Place?
dearlizzie
Jun 23, 2009 3:05 AM CDT
Count me in Cat-Lover. Talk about violence, sex, incest, rape, adultery, revenge, hatred, envy and all manner of other unsuitable tripe. And most of it is not well written or enjoyable, except some portions in the lyrical and sometimes soaring King James translation

 
high school • censorship • book • banned • Sherman Alexie

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