Lois Lowry. Genius. I read this book every 2nd year (I usually have some kids 2 years in a row so I can’t read it every year). This is one of those books with an ending that will blow your mind and make you want to scream. And it will keep you thinking and wondering for days. (If you’re crazy enough to visit me every day in April so far, you know this is a trend for me.) It’s usually the first book my students read/hear that has a utopian world - and this is NOT a place they’d love to be. It's a great opening into dystopian stories for them. We have the most amazing discussions about choices and emotions and love and risks when I’m reading this book. Awesome! It’s also a highly challenged book – a lot of people want it pulled off shelves. More great discussions about that!
What are some of your favourite banned books?
50 comments:
I don't really think I know of any banned books that are favorites...I'll have to look into that Jemi..thanks for sharing yours...blessings sweetie
http://runningsurvivor.blogspot.com
I've never read this book, but it is on my shelf. Will give it a go.
Wagging Tales
I have never heard of this book, many US books never reach our shops unless one goes on Amazon.
Have a Joyus Easter.
Yvonne.
Ban this book? There is no shortage of idiots, Jemi. This is a great book (remember our discussion on it?) and equally enjoyable to both adults and children. I can see why you never get tired of reading it
Why would they ban this book? It just makes me want to read it more.
I love this book, too! It really makes the kids think, especially because there isn't a "set" ending--it's interesting to hear the arguments from students who have different ideas about what really happens at the end.
I love this book too. Awesome that you share it with your kids.
Shannon - I have a few on my list - including Harry Potter :) Thanks! :)
Charmaine - it is always a favourite with my kids when I read it aloud!
Yvonne - thanks - you too! This one deserves some world wide attention - it's very powerful!
Yvonne O - we had a great time with those discussions on this book! It really is timeless and powerful.
Clarissa - I know! It makes me giggle a little when people make a fuss about a book, it invariably draws positive attention to it!
Mary - the ending always traumatizes a few of them! And it sure keeps them talking about the book and thinking about it!
Natalie - thanks! It's an eternal favourite book of mine :)
I know that you're hoping that it's not so, but are you and I sharing a brain. You are hitting so many of my favorites. Lowis Lowry is a fav.
T
Teresa - teehee! It's nice sharing a brain! :) Number the Stars is another of my Lowry faves. Such a writer!
One of my all time favorite books. Lowry is a master. (I'm talking about it under Y). This was a great pick for G.
SL - thanks! She really is a master. Don't think this book could be any more perfect! :)
I've never heard of it.
I haven't read this book, but now I'm intrigued. I know I know of some banned books that I like, but I can't think of any right now.
I have this book on my shelf and I have yet to read it.
I love this book! I thought the sequels/companions were well-written, too.
I haven't read The Giver yet.
My favorite banned books include Are You there God? It's Me, Margaret, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings...there are so many. When I look at lists of challenged books I see my favorites there.
I've wanted to read this. It's on my summer list.
Diane - it's a good one!
Kela - there are so many that have been challenged for silly reasons!
Susanne - I think you'll really enjoy it :)
Golden - I really enjoy Gathering Blue. I didn't like Messenger as much - I'll have to reread it again to see how I feel!
Medeia - me too! So many incredible books have been challenged over the years! :)
Susan - I think you'll really enjoy it :)
Wow, I will definitely be looking out for that one, I love books that keep you thinking, even after they're finished! I've not read any banned books before.
Nikki – inspire nordic
Another great book choice, Jemi. :) A banned book that I enjoyed recently was the YA novel TWENTY BOY SUMMER. The banners were totally out of left field on that one. :(
Nikki - it's amazing how many terrific books show up on banned or challenged lists. You might be surprised! :)
Karen - the attempts to ban that one surprised me too! i don't know what people are thinking sometimes :)
Don't believe I've ever heard of that book.
Alex - it's a great dystopian - and a really great read :)
Lois Lowry sounds familiar but I don't think I've read this book.
Beth - she wrote several others - my other favourite of hers is Number the Stars. Gathering Blue is great too :)
Love, love, love this book and never could wrap my head around why anyone wants to ban it, but then I feel the same about so many challenged books. anyway, this one is a gem, a classic, a must-read.
Tricia - totally agree! I love it more every time I read it. I don't understand the reasons behind banning or challenging books. Hate literature, sure - but this book is beyond beautiful!
egads! this is a phenomenal book!
until the end!
ugh!
i've never read a book that i loved soooo much and hated the end as much as this one!
Vic - too funny! So many of my students feel the same way! But that hatred of the ending keeps it in their heads and they talk about it for days!! :)
I loved this book. Didn't know dystopian existed until I read The Giver. It's still one of my favorite books of all time.
Theresa - me too. It's such an incredible book. When I found out what Jonah was seeing that others couldn't - I stopped went back to the beginning and started again to see if Lowry had really pulled it off. She had!
I haven't read this one! It's going on my list. Hm... I can never remember which books are banned, but I'm sure I've read some over the years!
Talli - so many books have been banned or challenged for silly reasons it is hard to keep track! :)
I tell myself I don't like dystopia - the movies I've seen are too wrenching = Never Let Me Go and the Hunger Games, but your praise of this book has me rethinking!
Harvee - I think dystopia is one of my favourite genres - I love the 'what if'ness about it :)
Karen - it's very good! One of my all time faves :)
I love book that are controversial and they want to pull off the shelves. I really think that they should ban the word "ban".
Jackie - so true! The ones that make you think and look at something from a different perspective are often the most valuable!
Hi Jemi,
Thanks for the reminder. I have read a portion of that book and now I think I should go and grab it and really read it :)
Hope you and your loved ones had a peaceful Easter.
In kindness and happy writing, your way, Gary
Gary - it's one of those books that each time you read it, you see a little more than you did the previous time. It's awesome. Hope you and your son have a wonderful Easter as well! :)
Genius about sums it up :-) I loved her Number the Stars as well.
I added this book in January to my 2012 reads list. Glad I did! I'll be sure to pick it up soon, you've revved up my anticipation!
How have I managed to miss this novel? I'm heading for the library tomorrow!
Banned books...hmmm...Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Lord of the Flies come to mind, but I'm sure there are more. Anytime a book is removed from the shelves somewhere, I add it to my reading list. :D
I have this book and have not yet read it! I think I need to fix that soon!
Pat - I do the same thing! It' always makes me curious! I think you'll love the Giver!
Rachel - I just love it! Lowry has such an incredible world view and moral center :)
Deniz - me too! Such a brilliant lady!
Margo - yay! I think you'll love it! Such a great read :)
I can't wait to get some compare and contrast discussions going with the kids between the future visions of THE GIVER vs. HUNGER GAMES. I sure wish I was teaching with you. We would come up with some great projects.
Leslie - Those 2 are great to compare! We would have so much fun team teaching!!! :)
I read this book with my kids this year. Freaky how it and Matched by Ally Condie seem like they could actually come true.
ScribblesFromJenn
Happy A to Z-ing!
Jenn - they really do seem possible. Matched is going around my class like wildfire since I read the Giver! :)
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