Mad Woman in the Forest - They are trying to ban SPEAK.... again

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They are trying to ban SPEAK.... again

Oct. 6th, 2006 at 7:48 AM

I need your help.

This fall, I've had a record-number of requests from high school teachers who are using SPEAK in their classrooms, and who are facing formal challenges to have the book removed. People are trying very hard to ban SPEAK. I have information that I share with these teachers (much of it is already on my website), but a couple of them have asked for more.

Specifically, they want to know that they are not alone. So I am going to start a list of school districts in which SPEAK is being taught and post it to my website.

This is where you come in. Please comment here and/or email commentsATwriterladyDOTcom to let me know if SPEAK is being taught at your school. If you are a teacher and would like to share what you do with the book, how your students have responded to it, and how it works in the larger scope of creating literate, intelligent young adults, I would be very grateful. If you are a student - what did you think of the book being taught in the classroom? How did it compare with the other books in your curriculum?

Can you help me out, please? Speak up!

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Comments

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corniecorn wrote:

Oct. 6th, 2006 01:08 pm (UTC)

Speak is part of the 9th grade curriculum at arcata high in arcata california. i loved using the book (i no longer teach at the school), and my students enjoyed it as well.

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halseanderson wrote:

Oct. 6th, 2006 01:13 pm (UTC)

Thank you!

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bluestocking7 wrote:

Oct. 6th, 2006 01:19 pm (UTC)

I have been thinking about using it in a college-level (mostly freshmen) Human Sexual Behavior class.

Is there anyway for people to formally stand in support of Speak? People who are trying to ban it have clearly never read it.

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halseanderson wrote:

Oct. 6th, 2006 01:25 pm (UTC)

I guess that writing to me here is a way to stand in support of it. Can you think of a better/more efficient/more public way? I am open to suggestion.

You bring up another good point. SPEAK is taught in many colleges - I should ask for those folks to write in, too.

Colleges I know of, off the top of my head:

Arizona State University
Millersville University
Viterbo University
West Chester University

Where else?

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ljzp - Oct. 6th, 2006 02:08 pm (UTC) - Expand

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snowpupgirl - Oct. 6th, 2006 04:55 pm (UTC) - Expand

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bluestocking7 - Oct. 6th, 2006 05:11 pm (UTC) - Expand

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adastraperasper - Oct. 6th, 2006 07:21 pm (UTC) - Expand

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nonsensical_fae - Oct. 8th, 2006 01:30 am (UTC) - Expand

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lisafraustino - Oct. 8th, 2006 03:24 pm (UTC) - Expand

(no subject) - (Anonymous) - Oct. 9th, 2006 12:20 am (UTC) - Expand

bluepapermate wrote:

Oct. 6th, 2006 02:58 pm (UTC)

I teach high school English -- mostly sophomore and juniors, and mostly the IB (International Baccalaureate) classes, although I've taught the range -- from "basic" English to the honors classes. I've never used Speak as part of my curriculum, but I do have it in my personal classroom library. I have to keep replacing it, actually. It's the one book I give to kids -- boys and girls -- who "hate" to read, because it's the one book I know will win them over. Every single time, they sigh and grudgingly admit that it was good, and they'll often ask if I have any more books like it. I can't even get too upset when they keep walking off with it (which is how I feel about all of the books I keep available for them).

The books I teach in my IB curriculum are challenged ALL THE TIME, so I'm definitely no stranger to censorship.

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kateherself wrote:

Oct. 6th, 2006 03:35 pm (UTC)

I wish I had read SPEAK in high school. I would have loved to study that book. Of course, it wasn't written yet... I think anybody who wants to ban SPEAK doesn't really know any teenagers.

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merofi wrote:

Oct. 7th, 2006 01:33 am (UTC)

You took the words out of my mouth. Why anyone would want to ban it is beyond me, Speak is all about healing.

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(Anonymous) wrote:

Oct. 6th, 2006 03:42 pm (UTC)

Can you contact franm@nyc.rr.com? I'm co-chair, with
Susan Kuklin of PEN AMERICAN CENTER's Children's/Young Adult committee, and we can send a letter of support for you to librarians, schools, etc. Fran Manushkin

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whitesangria wrote:

Oct. 6th, 2006 06:52 pm (UTC)

I know that, a couple years ago, it was on a list of permitted books for independent study at my niece's high school -- in a little bitty town in Ontario, Canada, if that helps any. I can ask if they still are using it.

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halseanderson wrote:

Oct. 7th, 2006 12:56 pm (UTC)

Sure, I'd love to know the name of the school and town.

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whitesangria - Oct. 9th, 2006 09:29 pm (UTC) - Expand

sparrow_wings wrote:

Oct. 6th, 2006 07:54 pm (UTC)

Seriously? What on earth is there to object to in Speak?

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saint_goldfish wrote:

Oct. 6th, 2006 08:15 pm (UTC)

That's what I was wondering. It's a fantastic book that even my little brother (who absolutely detests reading) enjoyed.

Why are they trying to ban it?

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halseanderson - Oct. 7th, 2006 12:56 pm (UTC) - Expand

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saint_goldfish - Oct. 7th, 2006 02:02 pm (UTC) - Expand

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halseanderson - Oct. 7th, 2006 02:22 pm (UTC) - Expand

innocent_heart wrote:

Oct. 6th, 2006 08:57 pm (UTC)

After reading "Speak" as part of my Young Adult books project in my library science program, I found out my friend was assigned the book for Human Sexuality here at Kent State U. They had to read both "Speak" and "Inexcusable" by Chris Lynch, and I believe they were assigned a comparative essay.

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mochizuki wrote:

Oct. 6th, 2006 09:58 pm (UTC)

I read Speak last year in 9th grade. It's part of the cirrculum for Valley High School.

I enjoyed it being taught in the classroom. There's a lot of things that you notice more about the book being taught in the classroom, then if you were just reading it by yourself.

I really enjoyed the book. Compared to some other books that I've read last year, it was the best. It seemed to connect to me and it had a reality to it. I really couldn't put it down because I kept wanting to know what'd happen to Melinda. It's kindda hard to explain how close I felt to Melinda. It certainly makes you aware of so many things that can go on in High School, let alone anywhere.

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halseanderson wrote:

Oct. 7th, 2006 12:58 pm (UTC)

What is the name of the town? Which state?

I'm glad you enjoyed the book!

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mochizuki - Oct. 7th, 2006 10:43 pm (UTC) - Expand

kitkat882007 wrote:

Oct. 6th, 2006 10:04 pm (UTC)

It's being taught at Anderson High School, Austin TX and definetly shouldn't be banned!
♥

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black_kitten wrote:

Oct. 6th, 2006 10:24 pm (UTC)

I think "Speak" should be taught in school.
I came by your LJ to say I got "Twisted" at a local book expo, I read it, didn't want to put it down. I loved it. I marked some things to quote but I'm holding off until it actually comes out lol

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halseanderson wrote:

Oct. 7th, 2006 12:59 pm (UTC)

Excellent! I'm so glad you liked it!!

(And thanks for being patient... I am going crazy waiting for March!)

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black_kitten - Oct. 7th, 2006 08:03 pm (UTC) - Expand

a_vibrant_heart wrote:

Oct. 6th, 2006 10:32 pm (UTC)

I dont know about now, but when I was a senior (04) they were making some of the freshmen read Speak at Oswego High School. Quite frankly, I was jealous. But then we had to read Catalyst so I wasnt so jealous, just happy.

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(Anonymous) wrote:

Oct. 6th, 2006 11:22 pm (UTC)

Fever 1793

i have just completed reading your historical novel!!! itis so good. i have to do a project on it and i was wondering if u could help me out.... i need to know what city you live in becuase i have to write a letter adressed to you (not really) and it has to be about the book...

i have one more question.... i have you ever thought about making a movie for Fever... because if you do, i have to go see it:)

thank you... your my favorite author!!!!!!!

sincerely middle school student :)

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justfuckingr8 wrote:

Oct. 6th, 2006 11:58 pm (UTC)

Its me Aunt Laurie

As We all know its being taught in 10th grade in Hannibal High School in New York. And being your niece I get loads of comments about your book. Overall almost everyone, male and female, have come up to me and told me that they love you book. Several of the students told me they went out and bought it. So yeah tell that to your stupid board people trying to ban the greatest book ever!!!!

April Lynn

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halseanderson wrote:

Oct. 7th, 2006 01:00 pm (UTC)

Re: Its me Aunt Laurie

Thanks, sweetie!

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_heartsong_ wrote:

Oct. 7th, 2006 12:02 am (UTC)

When I was in 8th grade(though I am a senior in high school now) my english teacher always had atleast twenty speak books on shelves in her classroom(in massachusetts) available right next to good 'ole To Kill A Mockingbird, already a banned book. We never read Speak together as a class, though I'm pretty sure almost everyone read it individually. So I can't really help you, I guess..Were you putting together a list of schools to help support it?

It is honestly one of the greatest books I have ever ever read. My friends and I still talk about it and I have read it atleast once every year since that faithful day in 8th grade...*sighs lovingly* AND my friends don't make fun of me when they see me reading it again in study.

I'm pretty much a fan. I guess you could say that.

Kudos to you running a 5K. I can't run.

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(Anonymous) wrote:

Oct. 7th, 2006 12:50 am (UTC)

Upper Darby High School in Drexel Hill, PA teaches it. It's a required text for ninth graders, and the students love it. In the case that it does get challenged by a parent, we remind them that, in addition to having a plot the students love, the novel presents many opportunities for discussions of symbolism (the tree -- we have our students make their own trees), dialogue, and point-of-view/narration. We also tend to pair it with the movie during the unit.

We are lucky to have a "liberal" curriculum director and department chair, but even the more "conservative" teachers and educators fight for the novel.

It's loved by students and teachers alike.

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arteest_weird wrote:

Oct. 7th, 2006 01:43 am (UTC)

Honestly, we were never taught with the book in my school. But I still want to comment, because I think its a great book and that I think it would probably be a good book for school. Its easier to get interested in than a lot of books that you may read in school, and it also has a very good message.

~Janelle

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anastasia1901 wrote:

Oct. 7th, 2006 02:02 am (UTC)

Speak is one of the required books for the Comprehensive Final Exam in the MA and MFA Children's Literature programs at Hollins University in Roanoke, VA. I haven't heard of a single person in the program yet who hasn't fallen in love with your book.

Personally, I think it should be required reading for every high school freshman. I've given it to my sister and my cousin and think everyone should read it. Banning it won't help anyone, but teaching it might.

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abejitanegra wrote:

Oct. 13th, 2006 12:42 am (UTC)

Oh, nice. I'm a Hollins alum for undergrand, and I didn't know that Speak was a req for that program.

I teach 4th grade, so the book is over my student's level, especially since they're native Spanish speakers. But if I ever decide to get certified to teach high school, I'd do anything I could to use that book in my classroom.

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cherrynilla wrote:

Oct. 7th, 2006 02:14 am (UTC)

Speak

I did my student teaching at New Albany High School in New Albany, Indiana and Speak is a part of their freshman classes. When I taught my practicum lesson to introduce Speak to the class I did graffiti boards with big sheets of poster paper. I got the idea from the lesson plans you have on the website. The students spent an entire class period doing their artwork. It was really good.

I now teach at Parkview Middle School 8th grade in Jeffersonville, Indiana and I just finished reading the book aloud to my female classes(we are single gender classes). The girls could not wait to see the movie, they even stayed in my classroom during lunch time to finish. Scholastic offered Speak in the flyers this month as well and several girls are buying their own copies. I encourage my students to explore your website and start their own journals whether on-line or in a book.

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cherrynilla wrote:

Oct. 7th, 2006 02:23 am (UTC)

Speak

I also forgot to mention that when I was observing classes during my undergraduate classes an 8th grade teacher at Scottsburg Middle School in Scottsburg, Indiana used Speak in her literature circle units.

I also wanted to mention that several of my advanced students now at Parkview are reading my copy of Prom. I had it in teacher bookcase and they asked to see the book. Before I knew it Prom was flying off of the shelf as soon as someone would return the book.

I know this is rambling but I know several of the friends that I graduated with also purchased Speak for their classroom libraries. So there are students in Crawford County, Indiana; Paoli, Indiana; Spencer County, Kentucky; Louisville, Kentucky; Austin, Indiana; and Salem, Indiana who have Speak available to them at school.

I hope this helps..

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__inadream wrote:

Oct. 7th, 2006 03:05 am (UTC)

When I was a freshman, I recommended the book to my high school English teacher, and she rallied to have it added to the curriculum. They started teaching it when I was a junior (2004), so I know for sure that they use it at Susquehanna Valley HS in Conklin, New York. :)

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pitchergirl25 wrote:

Oct. 7th, 2006 03:31 am (UTC)

Speak is taught at McMinnville High School in McMinnville, Oregon as part of the 9th grade curriculum. I'm a sophomore this year, and when my class read it last year it was by far the most popular book that we read in the class. It worked really well in our class because we could relate to some of Melinda's struggles, unlike most other books that we read as a class.

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conestra wrote:

Oct. 7th, 2006 02:11 pm (UTC)

I first heard about Speak because a friend from grad school (Teachers College in NYC) was using it in her 9th grade class in Washington Heights. She was a student teacher at the time and I know of at least three other student teachers who taught Speak to students in various parts of the city. They all loved it and planned to use it in their own classrooms. Speak is all the rage at Teachers College--probably NYU as well--so I wouldn't be surprised to see it popping up more and more classrooms throughout the region.

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origamibird wrote:

Oct. 7th, 2006 03:55 pm (UTC)

venice senior high

Mr.Hadley's 10th grade English class used Speak. We also used Brave New World, Slaugherhouse Five, Julius Caesar, Catcher in the Rye, The Da Vinci Code, etc. We had dicussions about high school stereotypes, cliques, the use of symbolism and clues about IT. We did more, but I don't have any of my work to look through. This was at Venice Senior High School, Los Angeles CA. I'm not sure if it's still going to be in curriculum, but we definitely liked it last year. It wasn't unusual to read it among the other books, but I guess that's because we chose both classics and comtemporary favorites. It was very refreshing to read it.

It was the third time I read Speak at that time, and each time I found a lot more than I saw before. So each time I felt a bigger impact. Very few books can do that for me.

Thanks!
-diana

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halseanderson wrote:

Oct. 7th, 2006 04:22 pm (UTC)

Re: venice senior high

Thank you!

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boricuababy1119 wrote:

Oct. 7th, 2006 09:05 pm (UTC)

speak is taught in my school

I loved the fact that it was taught in my school. I thought it was a very nice change from the classics because it was something real you know what I mean? Teachers have always taught me that literture is about the human experience. The traumatic human experience which Melinda suffered is something that not only teens but all people read about. I'm sure speak helped others to find their voice just like Melinda did and that's the most important thing. - Jessica

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halseanderson wrote:

Oct. 11th, 2006 12:23 pm (UTC)

Re: speak is taught in my school

For the life of me, I cannot remember the name of your school, though I can see it in my mind's eye, and the library down the road where I got to meet your classmates. What is the name of it?

And how is this year going for you?

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boricuababy1119 - Oct. 11th, 2006 09:24 pm (UTC) - Expand

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