Speak loudly

I wasn't planning to post today, since I have actual paying work to do (yay!). But I had to draw your attention to this. Many of you will already know about it, as it was all over the twitterverse and blogosphere yesterday, but some of you may not.

 A crazy book-banning types named Wesley Scroggins (yes, really) has written an article in which he talks about SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson. Now, I love LHA. LOVE HER. I wrote about that love here. SPEAK is one of my top ten YA books of all time. And this Scroggins chap calls it 'filth'. He thinks that high school students should not be exposed to such books. He even goes to far as to equate rape with pornograpy, which is so twisted I can't even begin to get my head around it. Please read Laurie's blog post about it all here.

People like this man really, really scare me. He's a professor, for crying out loud. A supposedly educated man! I've no idea what he kind of books he'd like to see young people read, but I'm pretty sure I don't want to find out. We can't let this book-banning madness win. We just can't.

So, please go and find out more on the blogosphere. There are some pretty inspiring posts out there. Try this one for starters. If you haven't already, please read SPEAK. And if you happen to be a school librarian, please please please make sure there is a copy of SPEAK on your shelves. A student of yours might need to read it - if only to know that they're not alone.

The genius of Laurie Halse Anderson

If there are any YA fans out there who haven't yet discovered the complete and utter genius that is LHA, I'd suggest you get discovering right this second. Seriously, stop reading this blog post and run to your local book shop. OK, OK, you can have a quick cup of tea first, but promise me you'll do it soooooon.

I think Laurie's books are big over in the States (if anyone could confirm this, I'd be interested to know), but as far as I'm concerned, she deserves recognition and popularity everywhere.  All over the world, nay, the universe. She is THAT good.

For starters, I'd recommend SPEAK and WINTERGIRLS. Both books tackle serious issues, but I'd never categorize them as issues books. The writing is simply gorgeous. Laurie also writes brilliant historical YA (I'm dying to get my hands on a copy of CHAINS), AND picture books. That's a whole lot of talent wrapped up in one writer lady.

If any of you do read (or have read) any of Laurie's books, I'd love to hear your thoughts.