Maybe it's a crypto-campaign using sophisticated reverse-psychology to get the kids to read something when normal encouragement of these jaded children to read the same book would have no effect.
In smaller/reactionary towns, sometimes the kids won't be able to get the book from the library once it's been "banned" by the schools. Unless they have the funds for Amazon/Kindle.
Hee!
There's always a way to get a banned book. Judy Blume's "Forever" was expressly forbidden at my elementary school - no bookstores within walking distance and pre-Amazon days - yet someone managed to get a copy from an older sibling and pass it around to most of the 7th grade girls. Of course none of us had ever even heard of it or cared to read it until it was "banned".
I'd be happy to send a copy of Sherman Alexie's book to a kid in Billings if need be to start the cycle moving.
I've actually been in a classroom where students were told that Alexie's book was banned in other schools. You should have seen kids snatch up that book like it was the hottest thing going. It was amazing to watch. Banning it is the best thing these idiots can do to encourage its wider appreciation.
@4 that would be great if someone went to Billings with a bunch of these books and just left them everywhere. In coffee shops, schools, bathrooms, post office, barber shop, bars... Everywhere.
They're trying to remove it from a REQUIRED READING list. That's not "banning" the book.
This is why so many of the Stranger's friends hate you guys. You can't just stick to facts: you have to lie for maximum drama and you make yourselves -- and US -- look stupid.
You make us look like dimwits, Paul. Just state the fact that they want it taken off a required reading list, and when a book is actually banned report that it was banned.
This shit is an insult to authors and readers whose books have been really banned.
The other thing wrong with your "forbidden fruit" theory is that if it's on a required reading list, then they all have to read it. That's what "required" means.
After "banning" *cough* it, the number of students who read it might still be all of them, but it will never be more than all of them. And I'm pretty sure that the number will be "all" minus the ones who don't give a shit. That is, less than before the "ban" *cough*.
There's always a way to get a banned book. Judy Blume's "Forever" was expressly forbidden at my elementary school - no bookstores within walking distance and pre-Amazon days - yet someone managed to get a copy from an older sibling and pass it around to most of the 7th grade girls. Of course none of us had ever even heard of it or cared to read it until it was "banned".
I'd be happy to send a copy of Sherman Alexie's book to a kid in Billings if need be to start the cycle moving.
This is why so many of the Stranger's friends hate you guys. You can't just stick to facts: you have to lie for maximum drama and you make yourselves -- and US -- look stupid.
You make us look like dimwits, Paul. Just state the fact that they want it taken off a required reading list, and when a book is actually banned report that it was banned.
This shit is an insult to authors and readers whose books have been really banned.
After "banning" *cough* it, the number of students who read it might still be all of them, but it will never be more than all of them. And I'm pretty sure that the number will be "all" minus the ones who don't give a shit. That is, less than before the "ban" *cough*.
Dimwit.