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Forever - Banned
Pasadena Citizen ^

Posted on 04/10/2005 6:42:44 PM PDT by Texasbock

Pasadena Independent School District superintendent Dr. Rick Schneider has banned the book "Forever" by popular children's author Judy Blume from the shelves of libraries within the district.

The book had previously been found in the collections of one intermediate and three high schools. Advertisement

"It is never an easy decision to pull a book from the shelves. The superintendent has the responsibility to put materials in the system that are educationally suitable and appropriate. In this particular case, after reading the book, he felt that, though the theme is not unsuitable certain passages are and decided to remove the book," said district spokesperson Kirk Lewis.

The complaint was initially lodged by a parent at Thompson Intermediate School.

According to district policy process, a campus review committee was formed to study the book.

The issue was next studied by a central office committee comprised of administrators, instructors and parents and then by Schneider.

Though an initial committee recommendation was that the work be removed from only intermediate and not high school libraries, it was ultimately decided to withdraw "Forever" from the district library system completely due to what was deemed "sexually explicit content.

"Certain passages were not appropriate for any students of the school district," continued Lewis.

The novel, first published in 1975, is self-described as "a moving story of the end of innocence."

According to the American Library Association, it is the eighth "most frequently challenged" book.

A challenge is defined as a formal, written complaint, filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness. The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom received a total of 547 challenges last year. According to Judith F. Krug, director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom, the number of challenges reflects only incidents reported, and for each reported, four or five remain unreported.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: ala; censorship; education; educationnews; govwatch; judyblume; pornography; premaritalsex; schoolboard; students; teensex
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To: duck duck goose

I thought Judy Blume books were great when I was a kid too.
Now I have two girls and realize that in the real world, loving parents and friends with morals are really what kids need to get through those times.

Not some lib writing a book.

If a 9 year old girl starts with "Are you there God? It's me Margaret" about starting her period, then looks up the author to read more, "Forever" is not appropriate for her at that age.


41 posted on 04/10/2005 7:30:24 PM PDT by netmilsmom (Oh Lord help me this day to keep my big mouth shut)
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To: LauraleeBraswell

I think our children grow up too fast these days, and have done so since the sexual revolution came into force. The paradoxical thing about it is that if they grow up too fast in the wrong way, they may never fully grow up in the right way. They become chic and sophisticated but not really mature.

Witness all the 50 or 60 year old adolescents like Bill Clinton that crowd our news and entertainment. Seemingly they will never grow up.


42 posted on 04/10/2005 7:32:53 PM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: Dallas59
Actually when I was in high school, our library had three copies of the Manifesto and two of Mein Kampf.
43 posted on 04/10/2005 7:33:18 PM PDT by Stonewall Jackson (Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. - John Adams)
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To: Abcdefg

My point to you was that there is a lot worse books around and have been for a long time. I would spend my time making sure that the teachers weren't messing with the kids. Better yet make sure your kids aren't and let the other parents take care of theirs.


44 posted on 04/10/2005 7:37:57 PM PDT by org.whodat
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To: Texasbock

> Maybe they should pull the plug on the internet next.

The Blume book is entirely tame compared to what's on
ordinary cable & dish.

But the "ought wallowing" about having the book in
public school libraries simply goes away if we phase
out government schools entirely.

Then you can send your kids to a school that meets your
requirements (or homeschool, as you see fit).


45 posted on 04/10/2005 7:41:30 PM PDT by Boundless
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To: netmilsmom

If you think that is inappropriate then monitor what she researches. ( I went to school with kids who I thought were smart because they read National Geographic, but later found out they were looking at pictures of breasts) I can appreciate you not wanting your child to grow up too fast. I feel as well, our kids childhood decreases by the year. However, I also feel as though when ackward times happen when you are a kid, laughter kind of softens its blow.

Me, Im going to lock my children up and not let the Liberal world corrupt them. (insert smile here)


46 posted on 04/10/2005 7:43:29 PM PDT by duck duck goose (an apology shouldnt include, by the way I have a book coming out.)
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I've kept all my Judy Blume books for my daughters to read when they are older.

Unless she's changed her style drastically, I would not have a problem with this book.

47 posted on 04/10/2005 7:44:52 PM PDT by TNdandelion
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To: Texasbock

The idea that 'open minds' should be filled with whatever publishers foist on the public is silly. When public educational dollars buy into that line, then parents that don't like the library fare have a right to complain. As long as a given title of dreck is published and available for sale from a local pornographer, then the 'free speech' choir can sit down and stow it. As far as I am concerned, school libraries should be under the direct control of the parents that send their children there.

When books are actually burned and prohibited from public or private ownership with the threatened force of government arms, then we can have this talk for real. Until then...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ


48 posted on 04/10/2005 7:45:50 PM PDT by WorkingClassFilth (Let's pull the feeding tube of the American left - Defund NPR/PBS/CBP and the LSC)
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To: org.whodat

I agree.


49 posted on 04/10/2005 7:46:05 PM PDT by Abcdefg
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To: sissyjane

Was she the one who wrote, "eat it or wear it." My kids still say that.


50 posted on 04/10/2005 7:46:59 PM PDT by Mercat (Jesus has let JPII through the door.)
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To: Texasbock
There's a lot of bargaining that goes on to publish. The publishers often want an author to "sex it up" in order to sell. The issues Blume may have wanted to bring forth could have easily been done without erotic passages. I, too, feel that sexually graphic material is not appropriate for children. Cutting off this source, really won't curtail anyone who really wants anything ranging from erotica to hardcore porn.
51 posted on 04/10/2005 7:47:25 PM PDT by Ruth A.
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To: duck duck goose

>>If you think that is inappropriate then monitor what she researches.<<

Oh trust me I do, but in a perfect world I wouldn't have to constantly fight society to keep her young for a while.

I have it easy because we homeschool so she isn't dressing like the tarty 2nd graders at the local school. Who monitors them?


52 posted on 04/10/2005 7:47:49 PM PDT by netmilsmom (Oh Lord help me this day to keep my big mouth shut)
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To: Jeff Head
If their tax monies are paying for the book, and it is being presented to thier children, they have every right to take action against objectional material.

The book is not really banned or been burned, anyone who wants it can by a copy for themselves...but, as I say, if it is being presented in a public school paid for by tax dollars, then they have every right to object and try and get enough support to get it removed. Apparently they did and that is how our Republic works at that level.

Good for them.

I agree and I disagree. I wouldn't begin to challenge the school district's right. The school district is obviously within its rights to remove the book from its shelves. As it would be within its rights to remove Shakespeare, the Holy Bible, or Dr. Suess if it so chose.

However, that doesn't put the district above criticism for its decisions, and this decision in strikes me as particularly myopic. I've read the volume in question, and the whole moral of the story can be summed up with a single word: Don't. Blume just had the guts to write her morality play from the perspective of a girl who did, but later wished she hadn't. IMHO, that kind of thing is much more effective than sinless Leave it to Beaver universes where such challenges are not only never failed, but never even tested.

53 posted on 04/10/2005 7:48:47 PM PDT by Melas
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To: netmilsmom

Well probably not one person because if she is dressed tarty, she's in the bathroom making out with someone!!!


BLAME IT ALL ON BRITNEY SPEARS!!!


54 posted on 04/10/2005 7:50:56 PM PDT by duck duck goose (an apology shouldnt include, by the way I have a book coming out.)
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To: Clara Lou

Her books are poorly written, imo. Too much me, Me, ME from the narrator.


55 posted on 04/10/2005 7:51:39 PM PDT by annyokie (Laissez les bons temps rouler !)
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To: Scenic Sounds
If it's just an offensive passage or two, they can usually be covered up with a black felt pen. It works better than you might think. I go by the public library and do that whenever I have some extra time.

Ok, look jerky, keyboards aren't cheap and I don't like blowing cola through my nose. If you're going to keep this up, I demand you preface your comments with, "Swallow all drinks please, hillarity is about to ensue". It's only a proper warning. That was the funniest thing I've read in weeks. GJ.

56 posted on 04/10/2005 7:52:13 PM PDT by Melas
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To: Scenic Sounds

I think I'd retract that statement. That's a Federal crime.


57 posted on 04/10/2005 7:52:29 PM PDT by annyokie (Laissez les bons temps rouler !)
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Comment #58 Removed by Moderator

To: Cicero
Judy Blume doesn't belong in school libraries.

I agree. But not because her books are pornographic. Because they are bad literature. They are trashy in more ways than one. Don't waste money or shelf space on them.

59 posted on 04/10/2005 7:54:05 PM PDT by knuthom
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To: infidel44

Well becoming a "man" or a "woman". ACKWARD.

Having hair in places that didnt include your head..

Need I go on?? Im getting the ooogies like I did when I was 11.


60 posted on 04/10/2005 7:55:11 PM PDT by duck duck goose (an apology shouldnt include, by the way I have a book coming out.)
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