Scrotum thoughts

[imagine_that]

Since the past week was School Vacation week, and Dan has been busy hacking up lungs, I have not had time to comment on "The Great Scrotum Debate." For those just tuning in, the current Newbery Award Winner The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron has been under fire by school librarians because it uses the word "scrotum" on the first and several subsequent pages. A dog gets bitten on the scrotum by a rattlesnake. You can read about the controversy in the New York Times and Publisher's Weekly.

Now, like most public librarians I have no problems with the word "scrotum" appearing in a kids book, especially with no sexual connotation. We already have three copies in my library alone, and will be ordering at least 20 more system-wide. However, I do respect that school librarians act "in loco parentis" and need to make collection decisions that fit their community. But they may be going a little far this time.

I find it funny that many people who have not read the book are so up in arms about this. I'd they did, I think they would be much more upset by all the 12-step stuff in there. So, I predict that as stupid people start reading the book (if they do so), you will see another big controversy about that.

Now, in the interests of honesty, I must say that I haven't read the book yet. I started it yesterday, and I got bored pretty quickly. But, I was working on several cumulative days of lost sleep with Dan coughing up his lungs. I will give it another go when I can concentrate more.

In parting, I leave you with this...

One lovely school librarian is quoted in the NYT as follows:

“I don’t want to start an issue about censorship,” she said. “But you won’t find men’s genitalia in quality literature.”

So, (thanks to Neil Gaiman)...

Youth Literature Is filled With Scrotums


(and yes, I just like saying scrotum as many times as possible in a children's lit discussion, why?)

Comments

[perseph12.livejournal.com]

*Blink*

*Blink blink*

I am always amazed by the things that parents get up in arms over. I would rather my parents worry that my little sister is reading "crap" than fussing over the usage of "scrotum."

It also makes me happy that you used the term "in loco parentis." Sure, I'm a Latin nerd, but I also have to use the same term in my current job on a regular basis. In fact, I went to a presentation on it today.

[paper-crystals.livejournal.com]

If the parents don't want the children to read the book then don't take it out. If the librarians don't want to read the book out loud and explain what a scrotum is then they should read Goodnight Moon. But there is no reason not to order the book. I mean, the libraries order Roald Dahl books all the time and I don't understand why anyone thinks that the books that he wrote are intended for young children. But the books are still read. Thus I beleive the librarians should get over it.