Re: [LM_NET] Raw language - graphic novel

[Susan Grigsby <susan.grigsby@GMAIL.COM>]

 Based on some of the responses I've gotten to this post I went back to read
the publisher's information and the reviews. Publishers Weekly reviewed it
on 11/20/06 and the reviewer called it "wholesome (an anti-drinking message)
but still entertaining for young teens..."
Really? Wholesome? That's a stretch...

>    ----- Original Message ----- From: "Susan Grigsby" <
>> susan.grigsby@GMAIL.COM>
>> To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
>> Sent: Friday, October 03, 2008 7:57 AM
>> Subject: Raw language - graphic novel
>>
>>
>>   Dear 'Netters:
>>> Based on high reviews, YALSA Top 10 designation, and positive written
>>> information, I bought a graphic novel *Sidescrollers* by Matthew Loux. I
>>> am
>>> in middle school and had planned in advance to put it in my YA section
>>> for
>>> my older teens.
>>> However, a teacher brought me the book and asked if I was aware of the
>>> raw
>>> language throughout the book. He pointed out a panel in which a character
>>> said "f-k that s-t, I hate that a-hole!" I told the teacher how I had
>>> come
>>> to purchase the book but took it aside to read through it more
>>> thoroughly.
>>> By the 5th page the characters are describing someone as "the pussiest of
>>> all..." As I perused further I found there were some illustrations that
>>> were
>>> also pretty graphic in depicting the female form, crude sexual
>>> references,
>>> and very frequent use of the "f" word among others.
>>> Now folks, I'm not shocked by the book. What bothers me is that NONE of
>>> the
>>> reviews mention the level of "mature language" throughout this title.
>>> While
>>> I know that many teens talk this way and even if they don't utter the
>>> words
>>> themselves are relatively immune to hearing it from their friends. I get
>>> that. What I don't get is that we, as librarians and purchasers of
>>> materials
>>> for our collections, aren't warned in advance so we can make informed
>>> decisions about what we buy with our dwindling allotments. Mr. Loux is
>>> certainly free to put whatever language he deems appropriate to his
>>> characters and I have no problem with the book in and of itself. My
>>> problem
>>> lies with a YALSA Top 10 designation with NO warning about the language.
>>> Thoughts?
>>>
>>> --
>>> Susan Grigsby, Teacher-Librarian
>>> President-Elect, GLMA
>>> Elkins Pointe Middle School
>>> Roswell, Georgia
>>> susan.grigsby@gmail.com
>>>
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>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Susan Grigsby, Teacher-Librarian
> President-Elect, GLMA
> Elkins Pointe Middle School
> Roswell, Georgia
> susan.grigsby@gmail.com
>
>


-- 
Susan Grigsby, Teacher-Librarian
President-Elect, GLMA
Elkins Pointe Middle School
Roswell, Georgia
susan.grigsby@gmail.com

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