This is week is Banned Book Awareness Week and I'm participating in a Blog Tour hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. In my humble opinion, there should be no such thing as a banned book. It is up to the individual to decide whether they want to read it or not. For younger people, it is up to the parents to decide what is appropriate for their children. A school, library or any other institution should not be making those decisions for us. After all, and according to the Bill of Rights, we live in a VERY free country.
The book I chose for this week is The Color of Earth by Kim Dong Hwa. It is a Korean graphic novel about a mother finding love and a daughter discovering herself. When I decided to participate in BBAW, I wanted to read something totally different from what I normally read. And that I did! I have never read a graphic novel before and this book was listed as No. 2 on the 2011 Banned Book List. The Color of Earth is a beautiful story and I loved every page. This is simply a story about a little girl asking questions about her body and becoming a young woman. As a mother of two young daughters, I would want them to read this book at the appropriate age, probably 13 years old; that is how old Ehwa is at the end of the book. I thought the author depicted a young girl's journey to womanhood beautifully with the use of rain and flowers. I loved the illustrations and imagery used throughout the book.
Why has this book been banned? The American Library Association lists the following reasons: nudity, sex education, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group. There is some nudity but it isn't explicit or indecent. I don't think it is sexually explicit at all. However, I would recommend that this book be read for children over the age of 13.
This book is the first in a trilogy with others entitled, The Color of Water and The Color of Heaven. I just ordered them and I can't wait to read them! I highly recommend reading this trilogy. Plus, I loved this book so much that I want YOU to have it! Enter into my giveaway and it can be yours!
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I love your post - and I LOVE LOVE that by reading this you went on and ordered the next two in the series!
ReplyDeleteThank you for being a part of banned books week and bringing to my attention a book I knew nothing about but now want to read it!
Of course I filled out raffle copter after I commented so missed your question... my favorite banned books are The Harry Potter books. I could read then.... every year. They are my comfort reads.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite banned book has to be To Kill a Mockingbird :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for reviewing this book! It sounds delightful and I would love to win a copy! I think my kids would really enjoy this one.
looks and sounds like a beautiful story - you recommend it as suitable for those 13 and over, I'm wondering at what age it is deemed to be inappropriate for.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite banned book is probably All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque as though I personally would never condone the banning of any book a part of me (a very small part) can sort of understand why the government of the time did so.
I love the Harry Potter books too.
ReplyDeleteI am always so surprised to read that a book has been challenged or banned, and then reviews are found that reflect the writing is beautiful, the subject matter is timeless, etc. It always makes me wonder about those challenging a book, you know? This sounds like a book I would love to read and share with my family. I'll definitely check this out!
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting choice that I haven't heard of before. Thanks for sharing.
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