Child called it?

ADX · 01-10-2009

I was reading recently about a book called A child called "it". In it there are several descriptions of child abuse and tells of one mans struggle for survival. The question i have for the members of blilzzforums is should this type of book be allowed to be read in public schools. It is now on some schools required reading list and if i knew that a ten year old was going to have to read the graphic content contained within i would not want that child to read that book. Also some have questioned the authenticity of the account at hand and therefore i would not want my child to read something that was supposed truth when it could have been exaggerated. Also it has been noted that when this author talks at public venues he can be very aggresive. so the question is should a book like this be mandatory reading?

H0teLVi0LeT · 01-10-2009

Rofl, I read that book in 3rd grade and nearly got suspended by the teacher or some shit. Like... I was supposed to get permission from my parents to do a book report on it or something but I ignored the teacher and just went ahead and read it by myself. Little old hag got all upset and made a big fuss over it.

I think this belongs in GD btw.

Offtopic: ADX, did you develop a workout program for yourself yet and stick to it? I'm not sure if it was you, but maybe it was... someone really wanted to change their social life around or something and needed to lose weight or something. If it wasn't you, I'm sorry for the misidentification bro.

DaveTheRave · 01-10-2009

I read that book. It was read during class in HS. It is sad in some parts

the.raven · 01-10-2009

why not?

InfestedRaynor · 01-10-2009

Wowee...I can believe maybe some of the stuff occurred to him...but no way all of it.

DemolitionSquid · 01-10-2009

All literature should be available to all, regardless of any status (such as age).

Blackspynx · 01-10-2009

I read it awhile back and it didn't disturb me. Perhaps he exaggerated, perhaps he didn't. What I took from the story isn't that he's a great man for having overcome the abuse of his mother, rather that it is possible to be a normal, functional, and successful member of society after recovering from things like that. He isn't wallowing in the terrible childhood he experienced, he's utilizing it and being productive.

The book shouldn't be banned, but parents should be informed of the content and the decision put in their hands. It's an intense book for a ten year-old, that is all.

Ben · 01-10-2009

Didn't DemolitionSquid write that book?

Pizza · 01-10-2009

If you don't like it, send your kid to private school.

DemolitionSquid · 01-10-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben

Didn't DemolitionSquid write that book?

My mommy loved me. So no.

Zura · 01-11-2009

Kids are exposed to the bible, which is much more graphic, violent and just dumb and usually served with indoctrination at younger ages than 10, so this book being read by 10 year old kids doesn't really bother me at all.

They'll probably read it, think about it for a second, then forget about it. Much better than being forced to go to church every Sunday and make the book part of your life.

It is also of my opinion that 10 year olds usually aren't that susceptible to violence and what not in books, movies, video games, etc. At least it didn't do anything bad to me when I was 10. Sheltering a child is even worse than not exposing them to reality or at least the truths of reality.

Lackey · 01-11-2009

Education is never improper at any age. If a child can comprehend the subject matter and is taught the proper lesson, then there is nothing to be concerned about.

As for the Op's comments; complete rubbish. Regardless of fact or fiction, if the book is serving as a precautionary tale, then let it be read. A story need not be true for it to have a positive impact. And what does it matter if the author is aggressive? Perhaps he's trying to shock people into reality. Stop pissing your pants every time someone gets passionate about something.

H0teLVi0LeT · 01-11-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lackey

Stop pissing your pants every time someone gets passionate about something.

Well said... very well said...

The Hawaiian · 01-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lackey

Education is never improper at any age. If a child can comprehend the subject matter and is taught the proper lesson, then there is nothing to be concerned about.

As for the Op's comments; complete rubbish. Regardless of fact or fiction, if the book is serving as a precautionary tale, then let it be read. A story need not be true for it to have a positive impact. And what does it matter if the author is aggressive? Perhaps he's trying to shock people into reality. Stop pissing your pants every time someone gets passionate about something.

So are you opposed to CNN showing images of dead soldiers returning from Afghanistan or Iraq? Or dead bodies in general?

Lackey · 01-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Hawaiian

So are you opposed to CNN showing images of dead soldiers returning from Afghanistan or Iraq? Or dead bodies in general?

Is there an educational benefit? I don't see one.

I think it would be far more beneficial to describe and perhaps even show footage of soldiers dying in battle. This is educational, even if it is perhaps distasteful. Showing bodies returning from overseas serves no purpose aside from shock value.