Was this really a good reason for banning the book, "A Light in the Attic," by Shel Silverstein?

Question

Reason: A suggestive illustration that might encourage kids to break dishes so they won't have to dry them.

Answer 1

It's my understanding that A Light in the Attic is banned/challenged for many reasons, not just that one.

According to the Forbidden Library site, it was also "removed from Minot, N.Dak. Public School libraries when the superintendent found 'suggestive illustrations.' Challenged at the Big Bend Elementary School library in Mukwonago, Wis. (1986) because some of Silverstein's poems 'glorified Satan, suicide and cannibalism, and also encouraged children to be disobedient.'"

Bookslut has an article on a story in the book about a girl who tells her parents that if they don't buy her a pony, she'll die, which some people think will encourage kids to commit suicide if their parents don't do what they want them to.

I don't think anybody has any business telling me what I can and cannot read, but I'm also disturbed by the lack of parental involvement with what kids are reading and watching today--the recent deaths of several children after they imitated Saddam Hussien's execution are an extreme example, but an example nonetheless. Yes, it should be the parents' responsibility to monitor what their kids are reading and watching, not the goverment or the library's, but too many parents aren't stepping up to the plate--and in that sort of situation, does someone else have either the right or the responsibility to step in and say, "Hey, this book isn't something your kid should be reading?"

That's the question I don't really know the answer to.

Answer 2

There's never a good reason to ban a book. If a person does not want to read it or not want their children to read it, that is their choice. BUT, they do not have the right to choose for others whether they can read that book or not, for whatever reason they might have. And besides, for such a silly reason as that, all a parent needs to do is explain to their kids that breaking dishes is wrong and leave it at that. Kids are much smarter than adults give them credit for, anyway, they generally know what is silly and what is serious, what is real and what is make-believe. They just need a nudge in the right direction from time to time.

Answer 3

It's never a good idea to ban a book. Especially one from a noted author. Censorship is real in America and it's not going to go away until we stand up and fight it at every turn.

I suspect that the real reason for banning the book was covered up by the "dishes" excuse..

Answer 4

That is RIDICULOUS. Shel Silverstein inspires creativity and imagination in children.

I agree with the others that NO book should be banned.

Answer 5

That's just ridiculous. I read that book and all his other books obsessively when I was little, and I didn't break any dishes (on purpose)!. That's just denying children one more book that isn't PC- and one they may actually enjoy reading. Yay for the illiterate generation!