Scholastic Books Ban?

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MamaZona said:
The author is a pretty bitter atheist. He has said, quite publicly, that the Golden Compass is his effort to make a sort of Chronicles of Narnia for the atheist crowd. The theme in his books, he claims, is a quest to “kill God”.

Of course, I’ve heard from Christians who have watched the movies that he failed miserably at conveying that message and that you wouldn’t come away with anything more than the idea it was a fantasy movie for kids–one in a long line of movies of that genre…ie nothing special. Some suggest that his hints toward anti-Christian sentiments are really just a very cynical marketing ploy.

At any rate, it isn’t a stretch to say the movie’s author is anti-Catholic or anti-Christian. He’s on record as saying as much–quite clearly as a matter of fact.
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Actually the first book is pretty benign and the movie they edited out any of the more offensive material so…the other two just get worse and worse. It has been about 8 years since I read the books so I can’t give details but I do remember how offended I was by them.

BTW, there have been several mentions of used book stores, not every area has one of those. There is not a used book store in my city but there is a Goodwill where I can get used books but that only happened about four years ago.
 
The “Holiday Gift Book” 12 page order form came home today.

We have, among what I consider worth the read for a 7 and 9 year old:
  • Holiday Gift Pack- $7 (Clifford, Biggest Snowball, What Santa Can’t Do, the Night Before The Night Before Christmas- Yes, that’s the title. These books are a little too easy for them, but they are still nice books.)
  • Stanley’s Christmas Adventure (I love Flat Stanley).
  • Holiday Novel Pack, $7, includes Who Is Stealing The 12 Days of Christmas and The House Without A Christmas Tree.
  • Judy Moody Holly Joliday
  • Drummer Boy
  • Norman Rockwell Deck the Halls
  • Mrs. Greenberg’s Messy Hanukkah (I like Hanukkah.)
  • Mom’s Family Calendar
  • Chicken Soup For The Soul Christmas Treasury.
  • The Family Book Amazing Things To Do Together.
  • The Dog: Top Secret Locking Journal (OK, at $8 I think this is too high priced. But Daisy really, really likes it, and Santa will be scanned a copy of it so he can get it for her. It beats a real dog any day in our present circumstances.)
  • Scholastic 1GB MP3 Player ($20 not a bad deal, about 250 songs capable)
  • LaRue For Mayor
  • Geronimo Stilton Gift Set
  • Narnia Boxed Set 7 book $20
  • Max Lucado’s Christmas Treasury (I am not a big fan of Max Lucado, but he’s not harmful)
  • Magic Schoolbus Boxed Set- $15
  • 5 Boxcar Children- $15 (Although I can get them cheaper at the thrift store, it might be nice for Christmas.)
  • The Invention of Hugo Cabret ($15)
  • Ella Enchanted.
  • Newberry Authors set (Including the Secret School).
  • Polar Express.
  • Jan Brett’s Gingerbread Friends
We have what I don’t consider worth the read or the purchase:
  • Dumb Diary Collection.
  • Captain Underpants.
  • When Santa Fell To Earth (Foul-mouthed elves are not endearing.)
  • Hannah Montana stuff.
  • Voice-Recording Photo Ornament for $9 (on sale at Target and Wal-Mart for $3)
  • Littlest Pet Shop.
  • High School Musical 3.
  • Radio Disney Jams (a CD)
  • Barbie in a Christmas Carol.
  • Encyclopedia Of Immaturity.
  • Pokemon Ultimate Handbook.
  • A message projector for $13 (“But Mom, it projects messages on the wall!”)
  • Club Penguin Ultimate Official Guide
  • Santa Paws Collection
  • Gallop! A Scanimation Book
  • Spy Codes
  • Beast Quest
  • Big Brilliant Book of Bart Simpson
  • Beacon Street Girls
  • Hello Kitty Ice Skating Princess
  • Confessions of a Bitter Secret Santa
  • How To Draw Nintendo Characters
  • Glow in the dark Ripley’s Believe It Or Not (the cover of the book glows in the dark.)
  • Paint Your Own Dueling Dragons
  • Glow in the dark Play Your Own Recorder (No thanks, the kids get recorder lessons at school in thrid grade)
  • Coconut’s Poster Pages
  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid set
  • Olive The Reindeer Deluxe Edition With Pop-up, Scratch n Sniff Grand Finale Santa House- $20
  • Kids Bop Music Pack for Christmas
  • Hannah Montana Spotlight Tour On Wii
  • Bakugan Create & Trace.
    Now I don’t want my kids buying those for my reasons.** If you want to buy them feel free, or let your kids purchase them. **Wasn’t that easy?
I should mention that in the Chicago area, there is a Scholastic Book Warehouse and customer appreciation day. They mark the books down even more cheaply, and every couple of months have clearance specials.

And Scholastic has a place to make online purchases. They take anybody’s money, not just teachers and schools.
 
AmberDale said:
🤷 I was just saying he wasn’t Pope at the time he wrote it. I like Harry Potter, read all the books and looking forward to the next movie.
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That’s why I wanted to help you make your point. I own a hardcover, complete set of Harry Potter, and every movie on DVD.
 
happymommy said:
Our school only sells the books during the book fair, not pens, computer programs, just books. It is a BOOK fair after all.
You don’t have to sell all of the other stuff.
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I know. 🙂 Just like we took* Captain Underpants* and the Golden Compass off the shelves. It was the principal’s choice and Father’s choice to let the kids buy the junky stuff.
 
Brenda_V said:
Actually the first book is pretty benign and the movie they edited out any of the more offensive material so…the other two just get worse and worse. It has been about 8 years since I read the books so I can’t give details but I do remember how offended I was by them.

BTW, there have been several mentions of used book stores, not every area has one of those. There is not a used book store in my city but there is a Goodwill where I can get used books but that only happened about four years ago.
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Half.com can be a source for used books, too. I’ve traded in college textbooks I didn’t want to keep after the course ended.

I think the big problem with The Golden Compass is the stated intent of the book. That said, I’ve still openly offered to review it with my son if he is interested. Still, no interest, though 🤷 Not going to cultivate it, either, if it isn’t there.
 
Wow…book banning…really? I’ll keep reading my Harry Potter books thank you, last time I checked JP the Great was fine with them. Kids books are not a matter of canon law, so if this Pope doesn’t like them, that is not a matter of doctrine…
 
Captain Underpants
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Really? A kids book called Capt. Underpants…and it had to be pulled? I’ve never heard of it, but it’s kind of funny.
 
KCtheMommy said:
Well, that’s why I said that I respect any parents right to decide what their children read! 😃

Banning books will sling shot back at us. I remember as a child my dad had me come watch the scene in 1984 where the lady decides to join her pile of books that are being burned. I was like “WHy would she DO THAT Dad?” “Because she would rather die than not be able to read freely, or to live in a society that burned books.” It was a poignant moment in my life. Not that I would jump onto a funeral pyre of burning books – but that I firmly believe that books should not be banned. Because once it starts – where does it END? Look at Iran. Look at Pakistan. Look at Afghanistan. I couldn’t imagine.

Anyway back to the point – I’ll do my parenting my way, I’ll respect you doing it your way. 👍

I never did read the DaVinci Code. 🤷 Don’t care to either.
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Oh, I am not saying that government should ban books, or that I should decide what other people/ families should read, I just believe that there are can be cases where a parent should say, no Mary, you should not read that book, just like I would say no Mary you can’t go to that party etc. I am Mary’s mom (actually I don’t have a daughter called Mary) and I need to watch out for her soul. I need to pick my battles, but I do believe that with the garbage out there, there are some books that can plant seeds of doubt or weaken faith, or that can be too explicit and attack their purity.
My point about the DaVinci code/Doubleday is that they published the both a very good book written by a saint and a very bad book that spoke trash about the Church and that saint’s works.
 
lifeisbeautiful said:
Oh, I am not saying that government should ban books, or that I should decide what other people/ families should read, I just believe that there are can be cases where a parent should say, no Mary, you should not read that book, just like I would say no Mary you can’t go to that party etc. I am Mary’s mom (actually I don’t have a daughter called Mary) and I need to watch out for her soul. I need to pick my battles, but I do believe that with the garbage out there, there are some books that can plant seeds of doubt or weaken faith, or that can be too explicit and attack their purity.
My point about the DaVinci code/Doubleday is that they published the both a very good book written by a saint and a very bad book that spoke trash about the Church and that saint’s works.
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Oh I understood perfectly what you said – and again I respect your right to say it and your right to say “no” to certain books with your kids. I GET IT 👍 . I’m just sayin’ that I know my own kids and each has their own very distinct personality. So while Eden might be able to handle Stephen King (especially the tamer stuff, but more so the collections of short stories – The Longest Walk is one of my all time faves) when she’s 12 or 13, Pippi may not be able to handle it EVER. Shane may like Animal Farm, but miss the point! See what I mean? I am just saying that while as parents we can be judicial about what our children should read – we should also recognize each child for their own abilities.

I once watched Stephen King on Book TV on PBS. He CRACKED ME UP! Eden was a baby I believe, so that was ten years ago. Anyway he said:

“Parents. you keep on telling your kids not to read my books, no really – I beg you – forbid it! Because you have just guaranteed they WILL read my books and for that I thank you.”

:rotfl:

That really stuck with me.

I also have posted a good number of times that I was never censored as a child and so I figured out self-censoring quite young! 👍 The ability to make good choices far out-weighs being entirely shielded from life – or fiction – for that matter!👍 I parent with confidence, I really do. I would not forbid a book, but I would say “really? Why would you read THAT trash? When you’re done you’re going to want the last ten hours of your life back.” LOL

I just added in the DaVinci thing as an aside, it doesn’t even matter! LOL I know what you were saying there too. I totally agree – we can’t ban publishers, because if we do then we should each take a gun and shoot ourselves in the foot. 👍
 
bbarrick8383 said:
Really? A kids book called Capt. Underpants…and it had to be pulled? Because the principal in that school felt it did not reflect Catholic values to have a superhero kid who ran around and was illustrated in his briefs, BVDs, tighty-whiteys. I’ve never heard of it, but it’s kind of funny. So is Walter the Fa #$ing Dog. But the term right in-your-face and determined not to be a Catholic value was the title and a storyline based on Walter’s use of flatulent behaviors, even though used for good and not evil on purpose. No joke. A picture book using the slang term for flatulence.
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Walter the Farting Dog – Trouble at the Yard Sale.

We have this book. Don’t ask where it came from.:rolleyes:

The most hideous thing about this book isn’t the dog farting, or the fart jokes, or the fact that an evil clown uses Walter’s horrible gas to rob banks – it’s the father. The kids go to buy ice cream and he sells the family dog behind their backs – just to make a buck. :mad:

Each time I have read this book to the kids I keep reminding them that good parents would never do something so mean to their kids or their dog, and keep pointing out who the real villain is. Yeah it’s morally bankrupt. But because the word “fart” is in it the kids like it. Because we have a huge dog who when he gets gas can clear the house! They relate to the “stink.”

I am sitting here asking myself why that book is still in our library? It should go.
 
Here’s a book that should be banned…“Captain Underpants.” Oh my …if your kids have ever asked you to buy this silly series, you know what I’m talking about. To this day, my kids chant…Captain Underpants ROCKS. :rolleyes: I think just to bug me, personally.:cool:

But, other than that book:p …no, books should not be banned. Books are like art, some appeal to wide audiences some are rejected. I do believe in giving parents the option to opt out of reading a book, if they think the material is unsuitable or immoral.

Just my thoughts.
 
The problem I have with the Scholastic Book Fair at our (Catholic elementary) school is that even though parents are supposed to review books and choose for their kids, they think, wrongly or not, all the books at their kids (CATHOLIC) book fair are ok. I think when a school has a book fair they in some way put a stamp of approval on everything that is there. Our school is a very good Catholic school, but many factors have led to some poorer choice books being displayed there. I suppose a simple disclaimer would do. Maybe a sign reminding parents to review all books for their kids.
 
HouseArrest said:
The problem I have with the Scholastic Book Fair at our (Catholic elementary) school is that even though parents are supposed to review books and choose for their kids, they think, wrongly or not, all the books at their kids (CATHOLIC) book fair are ok. I think when a school has a book fair they in some way put a stamp of approval on everything that is there. Our school is a very good Catholic school, but many factors have led to some poorer choice books being displayed there. I suppose a simple disclaimer would do. Maybe a sign reminding parents to review all books for their kids.
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You could go one step further and include the reminder in the note sent home to parents about the Book Fair. Or, you can just pull the books and not let them be seen - generally speaking if a child doesn’t see something, the won’t want it. This is true of adults too to some extent. Just some ways to keep a Scholastics or other book fair “clean”.

Brenda V.
 
KCtheMommy said:
The most hideous thing about this book isn’t the dog farting, or the fart jokes, or the fact that an evil clown uses Walter’s horrible gas to rob banks – it’s the father. The kids go to buy ice cream and he sells the family dog behind their backs – just to make a buck. :mad: And to get rid of poor Walter in the bargain. I often wonder why they didn’t just change his dog food.
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Brenda_V said:
You could go one step further and include the reminder in the note sent home to parents about the Book Fair. Or, you can just pull the books and not let them be seen - generally speaking if a child doesn’t see something, the won’t want it. This is true of adults too to some extent. Just some ways to keep a Scholastics or other book fair “clean”.

Brenda V.
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Old School pulled the books (Joel Olsteen, Capt. Underpants, Walter, Golden Compass). When parents still complained, they sent home a note saying they did not have time to review every book and offering by Scholastic, and the best way to get the opportunity to check out the books was to volunteer for the book fair! Needless to say, not too many complained after that.
 
HouseArrest said:
The problem I have with the Scholastic Book Fair at our (Catholic elementary) school is that even though parents are supposed to review books and choose for their kids, they think, wrongly or not, all the books at their kids (CATHOLIC) book fair are ok. I think when a school has a book fair they in some way put a stamp of approval on everything that is there. Our school is a very good Catholic school, but many factors have led to some poorer choice books being displayed there. I suppose a simple disclaimer would do. Maybe a sign reminding parents to review all books for their kids.
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EXACTLY!!!
 
Harry Potter is a fictional character in a book. If this frightens you, you need to talk to someone. I do not make a joke of this. If you want to Remove information (book) from the shelves of libraries, it had better be a significant reason. Dis anyone know at one time people in this country wanted to remove Alice in Wonderland and “THE BIBLE” from the libraries???

James Madison wrote:

“A popular government without popular information or the means of aquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tradgedy or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governers, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives.”
 
joe_clark said:
Harry Potter is a fictional character in a book. If this frightens you, you need to talk to someone. I do not make a joke of this. If you want to Remove information (book) from the shelves of libraries, it had better be a significant reason. Dis anyone know at one time people in this country wanted to remove Alice in Wonderland and “THE BIBLE” from the libraries???

James Madison wrote:

“A popular government without popular information or the means of aquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tradgedy or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governers, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives.”
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No one here is talking about BANNING books from the public library or from the world–nor about burning books or whatever. We’re talking about CATHOLIC schools, which do have a certain obligation to both the children and parents to protect children, removing books that they deem not good for children. Personally, I don’t like Harry Potter and don’t think it’s that great of a book or series. Is it evil? Probably not but neither is it Holy and good…it’s a book, and one we won’t spend time reading. The Parents and Authorities of a Catholic School have the right and responsibility to not have any book they deem inappropriate on their shelves…
 
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