This book came out in 2007 and was Jodi Picoults first book to debut at #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list. The book is an unpacking of a school shooting, following the events that lead up to it and the impact after. It’s really really really heavy, so heavy that although I have the book on my to read shelf I haven’t touched it yet.
Have you read this book at all? Do you have any thoughts about it?
This book was banned over 7 times last year alone by different school districts across the US. But ironically… it’s because it discusses sexuality and teen dating violence.
I read this book a long time ago, during my Jodi Picoult phase. To be honest, I don’t remember much about it (all her books blur together for me nowadays), but I am surprised it has been banned. Obviously there’s violence but usually the romance aspects of Picoult’s books are the main focal point. I don’t think it was sexually graphic, either.
It certainly wasn’t the best summer reading to make me excited to return to school. As an adult I respect the decision to make us read it but I do think it would’ve been best accompanied by chapter by chapter discussion and analysis
How are these being chosen and is there any order? Curious when we’ll be getting to some of the good ones like Lolita, Handmaid’s Tale, Brave New World, Beloved, Grapes of Wrath etc? It’s just been YA type stuff so far. Also, is it just things banned in the US? What about books banned from places like USSR (Master and Margarita, Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, etc). Sorry for all the questions.
No, it’s fine! These are basically randomly books that have been challenged in school libraries or removed from school libraries in the US. That’s what banned book week is referring to typically.
