Comments on: Why Did the American Library Association Snub Sherman Alexie?

By: ivannam13

ivannam13 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:48:24 +0000

Although I agree with safelibraries in some points, I disagree with you in some points too. I do not believe that the ALA would only choose The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian as the national book because of the sexual language used throughout the book. I am a youth adult, and I considered this book appropriate for students my age. The book overall teaches youth adults many lessons about friendship, hopelessness, obstacles faced, experiences and so forth. I do not think that using vulgar words is what makes a good book. On the other hand, what makes a good book is using words that express more than just the literal aspect, but yet again demonstrates a certain writing style, voice and opinion. On another note, I do not think that people that agree to this book being banned are considered racists. Although it might be true on certain cases, there are other people who disagree with having this language or these graphic scenes exposed to children or young adults, because they believe it encourages them to do it. Overall, I believe the Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is an amazing book for what is actually written.

By: 1minutebookreviewswordpresscom

1minutebookreviewswordpresscom — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:41:46 +0000

Thanks so much for your comment. I read fewer young adult books than many parents or librarians and also have no knowledge of how the ALA made the decision on this one. So I welcome other perspectives such as yours.
Jan

By: safelibraries

safelibraries — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:05:21 +0000

My estimation is language had absolutely nothing to do with the decision. Indeed it seems the ALA has gone out of its way to award books containing even graphic oral sex and hundreds of vulgar phrases with awards for children. Perhaps the problem was that “boner” was used only 12 times. Award winning books go into the triple digits with such language and worse. Next time the author should consider adding graphic oral sex scenes and hundreds of vulgar words, perhaps even bestiality will do the trick. After all, when parents complained about a book containing bestiality, among other things, in the public school, Judith Krug, the ALA’s de facto leader, called the parents racist because of the author’s skin color.

What I have said here sounds like I’m making a joke, but I am not. Sadly, I truly believe making a book more inappropriate for children is one way to a winning ticket at the ALA. See http://www.safelibraries.org/pushers.htm and thank you.

Can you believe we are at a point where books containing graphic oral sex and worse are being given awards as children’s books by America’s leading source for children’s book awards? Worse, let someone complain a public library or public school should not make such material available to children and that person is labeled as a racist, a homophobe, or a censor. Board of Education v. Pico is just forgotten. Common sense is tossed aside. The law? Who cares! Children have right to read, don’t they?

By: 1minutebookreviewswordpresscom

1minutebookreviewswordpresscom — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:09:42 +0000

Cliff: You’re so right about the “compromise choices” (and I’m speaking here not just as a critic but as a sometime judge). I’ve said on this site that book awards sometimes go to “everybody’s second favorite book.” But they can bring attention to wonderful, overlooked titles, so I have mixed feelings about them, and it sounds as though you may, too.

Amanda: Interesting. Have you seen any Y.A. novels with racial and sexual jokes as strong as the one with the “n” word in Alexie’s book? I haven’t. But I don’t read nearly as many Y.A. books as you do, so I’m going to defer to you here.
Jan

By: speedytexaslibrarian

speedytexaslibrarian — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:43:16 +0000

I was not at all surprised that Alexie’s book did not get a Newbery award or honor, but I was a little surprised about the Printz snubbing. That seemed to be the most logical category for it to be recognized. I’ve read it and the language isn’t any worse than in some other young adult novels. I think all the (mostly negative) controversy last year from “scrotum” on the first page of Newbery winner The Higher Power of Lucky may have had something to do with it.

By: Cliff Burns

Cliff Burns — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:38:24 +0000

I stopped trying to understand book and film awards a looong time ago. Many winners are awarded that honour because they’re compromise choices; the judges each had candidates they liked but settled on something else to break a deadlock. Is that any way to determine the “best”?