Commentary; Posted: 9/5/07
Book challenges Scandia students to think
Carol A. Amundson
Guest Columnist
I would like to comment about the articles on the Forest Lake School Board’s decision and letters in this week’s Commentary section. With the school year starting soon, I believe that it is important to support our teachers and defend their guidance of our kids.
According to Laurie Causey, “...long gone are standards of decency, integrity, excellence and accountability. I do know 5th graders and mine deserved better.”
She certainly has a very different view of the book and her son’s classroom than I do.
I read “The Giver” after my daughter, also a 5th grader in the same class as Mrs. Causey’s son, had already read it. I was impressed that their teacher was reading books that challenge kids to think.
What better example of excellence than a Newberry Medal Winner – the award given for excellence in children’s literature?
Having volunteered in the classroom, I believe the parents objecting to Lois Lowrey’s books are vastly underestimating their children! This is a bright group of students poised on the brink of adolescence and adulthood.
What better time to read about censorship, self-direction and personal choice under the direction of a skilled educator? The book teaches the very integrity and accountability that Laurie Causey says is lacking in our schools through the decisions made by the main character.
I’m not sure that decency can be taught without showing the problems caused by lack of decency and compassion in a society lacking choice.
This award winning book, as well as others by the same author, is recommended reading in 5th grade classes around the country. It is also a frequently challenged book, because it isn’t comfortable reading.
The Giver is about the concept of choice. The people in the book live in a world where adhering to rigid rules is normal — all unhappy or negative thoughts are kept from them.
The main character is forced to confront the bad things that happen behind the scenes in his society to keep people comfortable.
How he chooses to deal with this is very thought provoking. It is perfect for children just learning how to make informed decisions in a world that is becoming more complex every day.
Interestingly enough, the parents who complain about “The Giver” are complaining because their children are being exposed to disturbing ideas (just like the theme of the book.)
I can sympathize with parents wanting to protect kids as long as possible.
Our world is a frightening place. Pretending that there are no bad things by only reading cheerful books defeats the purpose of education.
In Grade 5, our kids are learning about WWII and the Holocaust.
A book about a world where choice has been taken away and reality distorted certainly fits with that subject very well.
I have spoken to many students who read “The Giver” in school. It is a book that they remember beyond the classroom, enjoyed reading at the time and often read again.
As far as the school board apologizing to Mrs. Causey, I feel they went too far. This book wasn’t part of the curriculum; it was read during the open reading time when teachers read books appropriate with the grade level of the kids.
Rather than apologizing to a few parents, the board should be apologizing to the teacher and others like her.
The board should have immediately supported the decision by the review board and the professionals we hire to educate our children rather than giving Mrs. Causey an additional forum for her fears.
The writer lives in Scandia.
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