Chris Crutcher’s book Angry Management has been removed from a summer reading program because ONE angry parent decided that, after “reading” the first twenty-four pages, it had too much profanity. Yeah, you read that right. That offends me on so many levels. One parent gets to decide for the entire summer reading program, not just his kid? Based on only the first twenty-four pages–where swearing fit the context and the characters going through hard lives? And please–teens are not new to swearing, and there is so much on TV and movies alone. Why go after a book that gets the reader inside the character and offers insight?
I LOVE Chris Crutcher’s response–to send five copies of Angry Management to the local library near where the book was removed. You go, Chris! Smart teens will still access his book, and decide for themselves whether it appeals to them or not. And I think it will.
This is another book that is going on my to-read pile, now. I hope it’ll go on yours, too.
Yep, if something like this happens to a book, it always goes on my TBR list!!!
I’m so glad to hear it, Jessi! (hugging you)