It is crucial that Speak and books like it can be accessed by anyone who wants and needs to read them.
There may be no other way for kids (and others) to learn that silence is not always golden, rocking the boat isn't always the riskiest choice, and sometimes the applecart needs to be upset with everything we have. And that we are never truly alone.
A standing ovation to the Penguin Young Readers Group.
Good to have that message, although, to play devil's advocate, I'm not quite sure what the ad accomplishes. I'm guessing most of the NY Times reading demographic wouldn't want Speak banned anyways, and there's no clear call to action on the ad to contact the Missouri folks. The ad might sell more copies of Speak amongst the young, liberal, democratic crowd, but will it fight book banning? Would it have been better to take out an ad in the Missouri newspaper?
My wife and I ordered Speak for her youngest sister who is 17. I hope that when she is finished reading it that she passes it around to her friends. Ignorance is as far from bliss as I am from Pluto.
I applaud the courage it takes for this young woman to stand up and speak out about her experience. Speak is beautifully written and profound. It talks of devastation and healing. It raises a warning voice. Why would we ban it from those who should read it? It's ludicrous.
Thanks for posting this, Janet. I too read Speak as an adult, and it changed my life. I highly recommend it to teenage girls. Last several of my students and some of the female faculty read it. It sends a very powerful message, and I am glad Laurie Halse Anderson had the courage to pen that great book.
12 comments:
Awesome.
Yes, Yes, YES.
It is crucial that Speak and books like it can be accessed by anyone who wants and needs to read them.
There may be no other way for kids (and others) to learn that silence is not always golden, rocking the boat isn't always the riskiest choice, and sometimes the applecart needs to be upset with everything we have. And that we are never truly alone.
A standing ovation to the Penguin Young Readers Group.
This is awesome! So glad to see young readers protesting book bans.
Good to have that message, although, to play devil's advocate, I'm not quite sure what the ad accomplishes. I'm guessing most of the NY Times reading demographic wouldn't want Speak banned anyways, and there's no clear call to action on the ad to contact the Missouri folks. The ad might sell more copies of Speak amongst the young, liberal, democratic crowd, but will it fight book banning? Would it have been better to take out an ad in the Missouri newspaper?
That totally rocks!
Lisa ~ YA Literature Lover
My wife and I ordered Speak for her youngest sister who is 17. I hope that when she is finished reading it that she passes it around to her friends. Ignorance is as far from bliss as I am from Pluto.
I applaud the courage it takes for this young woman to stand up and speak out about her experience. Speak is beautifully written and profound. It talks of devastation and healing. It raises a warning voice. Why would we ban it from those who should read it? It's ludicrous.
Top down stomp is best left to sharks, not anti-snarks, anti-sparks, anti-allkindsawalks.
I read your post, then read Speak. Now I'm recommending it to anything that moves (give or take).
Thanks for posting this, Janet. I too read Speak as an adult, and it changed my life. I highly recommend it to teenage girls. Last several of my students and some of the female faculty read it. It sends a very powerful message, and I am glad Laurie Halse Anderson had the courage to pen that great book.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
@M.A. Leslie, it's also important that they talk about it too.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Thanks for sharing this, Janet!
-Beth M.
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