23 Sept 2010

SPEAK OUT.

I don't normally do competitions and giveaways in my main post, I have a special page dedicated to this, but decided to make an exception for this one.

Having earlier in the month posted on BANNED BOOKS I thought I'd follow up with this post, SPEAK OUT , courtesy of Karen over at For What It's Worth who informs us of Bloggers Speak Out.

Bloggers Speak Out is a movement sparked by the recent article, Filthy Books Demeaning to Republic Education (click HERE to view) by Dr. Wesley Scroggins that was published in the Springfield, MO News-Leader on September 18th. In this article, Scroggins vehemently advocates the censorship of books in schools, and specifically requests that the following books be removed from the Republic school system: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler, and Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut. To show our support of these authors and to fight against book banning and censorship, we have decided to take action and speak out.

Anyway, having decided that as many people as possible should read these books in order to make up their own minds Karen has five copies of SPEAK up for grabs. In order to be in with a chance of getting hold of one of these simply click on the Speak Out  link at the top of this post for terms and conditions etc.

14 comments:

Trac~ said...

Wow - thanks for posting about this - I hate when people try to censor things just because it doesn't fit to the way they think it should be. Thanks for posting about my giveaway on your page too. I'm sorry that you can't participate due to being on the "other side" of the pond. I don't always agree with those rules either. LOL Have a great day my friend! xoxoxo

Vince said...

Sorry, but no. I cannot join this. For I truely believe that there should be a level of age measured censorship. No one in their correct mind would advocate that a twelve year old read the Proceedings of SCOTUS on late partial-birth abortions.
Also, I worry a bit about terms, in that middle school is movable.
But there has to be some control. And equally there needs to be a cut off point for those controls.

Gina said...

Thanks for the share on this...will certainly check into it further. Happy reading in whatever book you decide to venture...

Melissa Gill said...

I went off on this subject on another blog, so I'm calmer now, I've actually read two of those books, I'll have to get 20 Boy Summer. I'm just sorry that this Scroggins character is getting equal publicity along with the great books he's trying to ban. I wonder if that isn't his reasoning to begin with.

SG said...

I am generally against censorship. But I would make an exception for children under 18.

Revd. Neal Terry said...

I think I would agree generally with you Vince but thats a bit of an extreme example. I'd be worried about a kid that asked for that.

serendipity_viv said...

I didn't realise Speak had been banned. I already have it and hope to read it soon.

Kelly said...

I read "Slaughterhouse Five" years ago (in my 20s, I believe), but I'm not familiar with the other two books. Guess I should research them.

Pam said...

Hmm...the only one I have heard of is Slaughterhouse Five. I think my daughter has already read that one in school.

Alyce said...

I've read Speak and thought that it was an excellent book. I'm glad you're supporting this cause by posting!

Felicity Grace Terry said...

I can understand what you are saying Vince with regard to children but firmly believe that we, as adults, should be allowed to read what we wish no matter how odious and/or offensive that may be to others.

Heather said...

I will read either Speak or Slaughterhouse 5 in the next week or so and post my review. Thanks for your post.

ps. Glad it was worth the wait for the 'wings'.

Jenners said...

I can't stand when people want to censor or ban books. It gets my blood boiling!

purplume said...

Thanks for the post Petty Witter. Writing is one of the most therapeutic ways to deal with these subjects.