Here again is another book that a Texas parent wants banned from her daughter’s school library: “What My Mother Doesn’t Know” by Sonya Sones, Simon & Schuster.
The book has received several honors; in addition to being selected as “Best Book for Young Adults” by the American Library Association in 2002, the book was named “Young Adults Choice” by the International Reading Association in 2003. It was also included on the Texas Lone Star State Reading List.
ABC News story.
When Will It Ever End?
It seems that society puts the parents in the role of a villian or some kind of co-conspirator against free speech. It may be true that a book has been given awards and deemed appropriate for certain age groups, however not every concerned parent is a card carrying member of the moral majority. “Recommended” books can be offensive. Recommendations are not supposed to be equivalent to “you will read this material and accept it and like it.” Recommended must still have a provision of parental concern. I have said it many times on this line that the librarian that serves a “diverse” group needs to consider the sensitivities of all. A concerned parent is not and should not be made into a person who wants to limit free speech and compromise the constitution. If librarians showed more concern for age appropriate materials then they would be showing more professional responsibiity not censorship.
Re:When Will It Ever End?
Nobody is forcing this woman’s child to read this “recommended” book. And the fact that she doesn’t want her daughter reading the book isn’t news.
What is news is that she feels it is her responsibility to ensure that nobody else’s child read the book either. When she tries to force the library to remove a book from the stacks she is most definitely attempting to “limit free speech and compromise the constitution” (although the latter part is a bit overblown).
apologies in advance, but I have to comment
They could write a sequel to “What My Mother Doesn’t Know” and call it, “Now My Mom Knows, and She’s Going to Ban It.”
Thank you! I’ll be here all week!
Re:apologies in advance, but I have to comment
Samantha, your post did make me laugh!
Although I agree there are different ideas of what might be considered appropriate for an eleven year old vs a fourteen year old, I think David’s hit the old nail on the head on this one.
I actually think I might want to read this book – it might give me some insights into what’s going on in the minds of some 14 and 15 year olds I might happen to know. 😉