Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Ms. Anderson Decides What Others Read in Halsey, Oregon

From the looks of the article I read this morning, it seems like the witches got their broomsticks out early for Halloween. Or at least one of them did. Taffey Anderson of Halsey, Oregon discovered that her 13-year-old son had checked out a copy of The Book of Bunny Suicides by Andy Riley. She took a look, was not amused, and decided forthwith that neither she, her son, or anyone else with access to the public library was ever going to read that book again. Hopefully no one tells Ms. Anderson that there are several books in that particular series, since she's already informed all and sundry that, if the library replaces the book, she'll have someone else check it out and give it to her so she can add it to her bonfire. I don't want all the other Bunny books to wind up in her clutches, too.

What Ms. Anderson fails to realize--or to even care about--is that yes, she does have the right to choose what books she and her son read. However, she most emphatically does not have the right to tell anyone else what they can or cannot read. Take care of you and yours, Ms. Anderson. Leave the rest of us alone!


4 comments:

  1. No doubt Ms Anderson would deny she is a fascist. I may have to contact the Halsey library about setting up a foundation to protect and replace the book, should anyone take her seriously enough to actually check the book out and not return it. Wonder how she would like if the library banned her?

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  2. The only reason I ever discouraged my son from reading a book was if it was too difficult for him. (I felt like that would just discourage him.) Why can't people figure out that books are great for starting discussions with their children.

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  3. My husband and I found that bunny book in a store while on our anniversary trip and thought it was hilarious - not something we would give to our kids - but funny nonetheless. You just have to have a sense of humor. I agree that it's completely unreasonable of her to demand the library doesn't carry the book anymore.

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  4. The book is hilarious, but as Corey said, if you don't like it, forbid your kid! I volunteer to be part of the committee that vets every book she tries to check out to see if *I* think she should read it. Doesn't this crazy lady realize that some day she'll wish her kid had stuck to flipping through comics?

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