Scribblings of a Madwoman

Banned Books Week Wrap-Up

I had a pretty good Banned Books Week. I hope you did too. I purchased an Isabel Allende book for the occasion, but haven't finished it yet (it's the Spanish language edition so it'll take me a while to finish it up). I also re-read my copy of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. I don't know that it was a banned book but it's a story about banning books so... it fits.

I also got to share some "banned books" with the students I work with. I read them Dr. Seuss' The Lorax (Removed from libraries and schools in logging areas). I also read them a story by request on Friday. Of all the stories we had available, they picked "Hanzel and Gretel." I didn't even mention it as an option but it was in our big book of fairy tales.

I also realize we have a long way to go to end book censorship. The teacher that I'm assisting in the room read "Jack and the Beanstalk" on Thursday. Great story. But I noticed that she read something a little differently. She always said "Fee Fi Foe Fum I smell an Englishman" instead of the traditional "Fee Fi Fo Fum I smell the blood of an Englishman." She also omitted the part about grinding his bones up for his bread. I thought it was a bit odd, but I thought that was just how this book had it printed. Turns out there was a direction on our activity plan to censor the story. Oh the shame!

I also stumbled across this article on the UK Guardian. It really makes me worry about the future of education in this country.
The Books that Texas Banned.