His Dark Materials – To Ban or Not to Ban?

Hello all!

This week we’re talking about banning books. Censorship. It’s a subject that’s come up time and time again, particularly in the case of children’s literature. The literature we use in schools and expose our children to is a sensitive subject that has many people up in arms. The American Library Association has an entire week (this year it was September 27th to October 3) where they discuss banned books and celebrate the freedom to read.

The ALA has a list of the most frequently challenged books. Some titles included on the list are The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling, The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins, classics like To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, and even modern series like Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey.

One series that is frequently challenged is His Dark Materials, a three book series by Philip Pullman. The books, The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass, come under fire for their anti-Christian sentiments.The series deals with a fantasy world where the Church is regarded as a negative force, doing horrible things to the main characters, Lyra and Will, and acting as the main villain of the story.

Pullman himself has gone on record saying things like, “It’s not the presence of the Christian doctrine I object to so much as the absence of Christian virtue.” and, “I think my position would be that throughout human history, the greatest advances have been made by religious leaders such as Jesus and the Buddha. And the greatest moral wickedness has been perpetrated by their followers.” (Speakman, 2010).

One of the main characters, Mary, says in the book, “The Christian religion…is a very powerful and convincing mistake, that’s all.” (“His Dark Materials – Controversies”, n.d.). When this quote was used to criticize his work, Pullman responded with, “Mary is a character in a book. Mary’s not me. It’s a story, not a treatise, not a sermon or a work of philosophy.” (“His Dark Materials – Controversies”, n.d.).

His Dark Materials may be a controversial series, but they are well written and enticing for young readers. Filled with fantasy and scientific fictional elements, the books draw readers into a magical world and keeps them hooked for three novels. It’s important to note that not all Christians oppose these books; Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury (who is the head of the Anglican church) thinks that Pullman’s criticisms focus on the dangers of the religious dogma and the potential to use the religion to oppress, not necessarily on the religion itself. Williams has actually recommended that the books should be discussed in religious education classes (“His Dark Materials – Controversies”, n.d.).

I believe that this book series would be fascinating to teach in a classroom setting. Students can discuss the scientific fiction elements of the book series, the legitimacy of the possibility of the technology they’re using in conjunction with the magical elements of Lyra and Will’s world. Older students can also discuss the criticism Pullman is writing about the Catholic Church, the faith, and the dogmatic systems in place. Students will practice critical thinking skills as well as creative thinking skills when they study these books.

Censorship is a slippery slope. The freedom to read is important for our children and our society. Book series like His Dark Materials have the potential to unlock many benefits for readers.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments!

Until next week,

Ms. Valentine

References

His Dark Materials – Controversies. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/His_Dark_Materials#Controversies

Speakman, S. (2010). Banned Books Week: The Golden Compass. Retrieved from http://suvudu.com/2010/09/banned-books-week-the-golden-compass.html

Issues and Trends in Children’s Literature: An Interview with Librarian Linda

Hello all!

What a hit this blog has been! Parents and teachers alike have complimented me on what a great idea it is, and how easy it is to stay in touch with each other this way. I’m loving it!

Last week I asked you if you had any concerns, thoughts or opinions you’d like to share on the literature I choose for my students. I got some excellent feedback! It made me start to really consider the current issues and trends in children’s literature, and how they affect my classroom environment. At the suggestion of my principal, I decided to interview a local children’s librarian, Linda. I asked Linda ten questions and then compared her answers to responses of leaders in the field as well as my own opinions.

Below, I’m going to share that interview, but I very much want to know: what do you think? What are the biggest issues and trends that you see with your students or your children? Let me know in the comments!

Thanks, and happy reading!

Ms. Valentine =]

My Favorite Book

Hello all!

As parents and guardians of my students, I like to keep you updated on what’s going on in the classroom as much as I can. (Isn’t it wonderful to have the technology to do this so easily?) I thought I would share with you what our next chapter book is going to be and see if you had any thoughts, concerns, or suggestions related to it. First, I’d like to explain to you why I’m choosing this book.

When I was in first grade, my parents uprooted us from our life in Danvers, Massachusetts and moved us a town over, to Beverly. The rent was cheaper and my parents could use the extra cash to save up for a down payment on a house. In Danvers, I had plenty of friends. In spite of the fact that I was a tomboy and a little geeky, I was pleasant and cheerful (and besides, at five and six, you’re still friends with everyone in your class). However, we moved in the middle of the school year. I left behind my friends and all that was familiar to become the new, weird kid.

My teacher recommended a book to me my second week in her class. I was having trouble making friends so I mostly kept to myself and read during our free time.  When Mrs. A handed me Matilda by Roald Dahl, I was terrified. The book is 232 pages long, which was more than I had ever read before. She smiled and told me that she had faith I could handle it, and asked me to let her know how I liked it the next day.

Excited but scared, I went home and sat down on my bed. My older sister had read me some of Dahl’s easier books before; The Magic Finger and Witches, but as a first grader I wasn’t sure I was ready for one of his more challenging chapter books. Boy, was I wrong. I got through half of Matilda the first night and finished it by the end of the week. I reread it twice before I eventually gave it back to Mrs. A, gushing about how much I loved it and how like Matilda I thought I was.

It wasn’t long until I was hooked on Roald Dahl, reading everything of his I could find. I read The BFG, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Twits and Boy all within three months. I always kept coming back to Matilda, though.

Matilda, for those of you who may not have read it, is about a young girl who feels like an outcast from her family. Exceptionally bright, she finds her parents’ obsession with the television boring and unpleasant. One day, she finds her local library and becomes addicted to the wonderful activity of reading. When she enters school, things turn a little strange and she discovers she has magical abilities (and not just her knack for computing large numbers in her head). She and her teacher, Ms. Honey, become very close and foil a plot by the school’s principal, Ms. Trunchbull.

The book is an amazing way to hook young students and give them a positive impression of reading. Matilda is empowered by her reading and her intelligence, and students can identify with this on a personal level. Dahl transports you to a world where magic is real and good triumphs over evil, but reading is the main power in the story. It’s also an excellent chapter book to keep students challenged and engaged, which ties in well with our Language Arts lessons.

When I was a young child reading this book, I wasn’t aware that it would turn me into a life-long reader. I have no doubt that Mrs. A knew, though. That is why I believe this book should be read in my classroom. Students will love the story, love the characters, and maybe even enjoy watching the movie as a special treat at the end of the unit. (Mara Wilson, Danny Devito and Rhea Perlman are amazing on screen). My hope is that they will be just as enamored with reading as I was after reading how powerful it was for Matilda.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and concerns in the comments below. Maybe even tell me some of your favorite books from childhood and we can work them in to the curriculum somehow! I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Ms. Valentine

“The books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people who lived exciting lives. She went on olden-day sailing ships with Joseph Conrad. She went to Africa with Ernest Hemingway and to India with Rudyard Kipling. She travelled all over the world while sitting in her little room in an English village.”
― Roald Dahl, Matilda