Mother of freshman wants Salinger's 'Catcher' out of curriculum

[RedEarth]

PORTLAND, Maine --The mother of a freshman at Noble High School in North Berwick wants J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye" removed from the freshman curriculum.

Andrea Minnon of Lebanon said she had never heard of the New Hampshire author's book, a coming-of-age story about a 16-year-old boy, before she learned it was on her son's freshman reading list.

After researching the book online with her husband, Minnon concluded it espouses immoral ideas inappropriate for freshmen-aged students. She's asking that it be removed from the freshman curriculum in School Administrative District 60, which includes Noble High.

Salinger's book, long a staple of required reading lists in public schools, is also a regular on the American Library Association's list of most controversial books.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2004/12/10/mother_of_freshman_wants_salingers_catcher_out_of_curriculum?mode=PF

[tsakshaug]

1. why is it

People that want to ban books, have never read the book they want banned?

Remember a similar situation with Brave New World. When they finally read the book they were OK with it

[meegbear]

2. After researching the book?!?

Did she ever think about, oh I don't know, READING IT?!?!

[fryguy]

20. i'm willing to bet

that she hasn't read anything other than the bible - that literary volume of purity lacking in anything immoral or questionable <<sarcasm>>

[Skink]

3. Minnon sounds like a phony..

[BeyondThePale]

4. fucking pathetic...

She had never heard of it, but now she wants it banned.

Fucking moran!

[CO Liberal]

13. She Never Heard of "Catcher in The Rye"????

Where was she 24 years ago when it was in the news after Mark David Chapman used it as justification to kill John Lennon?

Under a rock?

In a coma????

:shrug:

[bill]

5. Typical Fundie

Too ingnorant to have heard of the book and too lazy to actually read it prior to condeming it.

I can't wait for the rapture!

[samwisefoxburr]

6. Uh, by Freshman year kids know a whole lot about "immoral" things.

[enigami]

7. She had never heard of it !!!!!!!

Andrea Minnon of Lebanon (Maine?)may as well of said "I am an illiterate dumb ass" . Has anyone else NOT heard/read "The Catcher in the Rye"

[msgadget]

18. I wouldn't say she's illiterate but I have to wonder what school in

MAINE she attended that didn't have one single copy of Catcher... anywhere on the premises. Or, that she never heard anyone refer to it.

Here in NY a teacher gave out an assignment to an eighth grade class that included more language and sex than was comfortable for some of the students and the school allowed the parents and kids the option of choosing something else. Why not THAT option instead of banning the book for everyone on the hysteria of one person.

[Solly Mack]

8. If you want your child to be an idiot...fine..but leave other people's

kids alone.

Also, until she reads the book, her comments on the merit of the book are worthless.

[enigami]

9. what makes you think.....

That she can read???

[Solly Mack]

15. She reads enough to listen to other people on the web

tell her how to think...

So, she can read....but I don't know at what level she can read.

:)

[NVMojo]

10. We have a similar problem within our school district ...

they are after a junior high school book called "I am the Cheese" because of one sentence. It is the Mormons behind the book banning over here. The book has been used in the junior high honors English class for 11 years.

The parents told the school district they have the right to pick which books their kids read in school. So much for teachers doing their own curriculums.

[drscm]

11. It's immoral to deny other people an education...

even if you wish to remain illiterate.

[da_chimperor]

12. She can go fuck herself

A classic piece of american literature like that needs to be read by everyone. What kind of cave did she crawl out of, anyway?

[SKKY]

14. Here come the thought police...n/t

[fryguy]

16. amazing

that in 2004 we're stilling seeing such censorship advocates....as if what Holden did in the book was in anyway more immoral than what is routinely shown on prime-time network television....

:wtf:

[BR_Parkway]

17. What are the odds that they subscribe to cable TV though?

Minnon, who is now reading Salinger's book herself, said mature themes such as drinking and prostitution, and profane language, are inappropriate for a 14-year-old.

[ET Awful]

21. In that case, I hope her kid doesn't watch Fox or Comedy Central

Hell, just watching Fox prime time (Simpsons, etc.) and South Park would violate all her ideals :)

[fryguy]

22. or that her 14 year old uses the internet and/or playstation?

not like either of those provides one with immoral and mature themed material....

[AlCzervik]

19. She's never heard of it? How is that possible?

I remember reading that in 7th grade.

[Moderator]

23. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1056799