"scrotum" a bad word: silly bs from librarians

darkcrow

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/153619/single_word_causes_uproar_in_childrens.html

Single Word Causes Uproar in Children's Book
By Mike McQuillian

February 17, 2007
Contact me Click to rate content Currently 3.50/5 1 2 3 4 5 3.5 out of 5

---

Adjust font: It's rare to hear the word "scrotum," in polite conversation. Seeing it on the first page of a children's book has some parents and teachers up in arms.

On the first page of The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron, this year's recipient of the Newbery Medal, Lucky Trimble, a scrappy ten-year-old orphan, hears the word through a hole in the wall. This happens when another character s explaining that a rattlesnake bit his dog on the scrotum.

Some school librarians, after hearing about the word being in The Higher Power of Lucky," have vowed to ban the book from their libraries. This has reopened the debate over what is acceptable for children to read.

Many teachers and school librarians have used the internet to weigh in on this issue. It has been a hot topic on dozens of literary blogs and social networking sites. Authors, teachers and school librarians have been forced to take sides in this battle over a book for children. All over the country librarians are debating their role when selecting (or censoring, as some say) literature for children.

Dana Nilsson, a teacher and librarian in Durango Colorado, had this to say about The Higher Power of Lucky": "This book included what I call a Howard Stern-type shock treatment just to see how far they could push the envelope, but they didn't have the children in mind."

A handful of school libraries in the South, West, and Northeast have already taken the book off of their shelves. Many more have indicated that they may do the same.

This topic has dominated conversation among librarians for the past ten days, ever since The Higher Power of Lucky was shipped to schools from the publisher.

Pat Scales, who at one time chaired the Newbery Award committee would be blatant censorship. When asked about the controversy she said "The people who are reacting to that word are not reading the book as a whole. That's what censors do - they pick out words and don't look at the total merit of the book."

Something like this would go unnoticed in most novels, but winning the Newbery Medal brings a huge amount of attention to a children's book. Libraries and bookstores order more of these books than most novels, and they are read out loud to children in schools.

The debate over The Higher Power of Lucky will likely go on for quite some time. The line between protecting our children and censorship has long been an issue, and probably will be for years to come.

Source:

"Children's Book Stirs Battle With Single Word"( http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/18/books/18newb.html?_r=1&oref=slogin)

Skitch Patterson

im willing to bet the school "librarians" are actually just teachers who distribute books, not actually librarians.... Very rarely do librarians push for any sort of censorship

norm

Scrotum
Scrotum
Just another sack of skin

Scrotum
Scrotum
Something to keep you testes in

Sgriggly, scraggly
Covered with hair
What would you do
If it wasn't there

Scrotum
Scrotum
Just another sack of skin

FinsburyParkCarrots

someone should give them the sac.

Pearl Jam and toast

Liberals did this? Cmoonnnnnnnn. The conservative crowd does this shit just as much as the liberals. It's not about political affiliation it's about wrinkled old senile government officials. "Back in my day you couldn't write scrotum in a book..." :rolleyes:

JaneNY

It is a freakin' body part, and that's the correct name. Anyone who grew up with brothers has probably heard this word by the time they were 3 for god sake.

baraka

I had to comment on this before heading out.......How silly. Scrotum is the proper medical term. It is used all the time clinically. What would they prefer...............'nut sack'?

Pearl Jam and toast

baraka wrote:

I had to comment on this before heading out.......How silly. Scrotum is the proper medical term. It is used all the time clinically. What would they prefer...............'nut sack'?

coin purse.

catefrances

i am constantly correcting my youngest daughter when she talks about her rude parts. i tell her they're not rude, they're just 'private'.

Scubascott

I love the word scrotum. There's something innately funny about it. Just try to say it five times fast without smiling.

When I lived in college we named one of the fresher boys Scrotum. It stuck instantly. He's been known by that name ever since.

macgyver06

''Myyyyyyyyyyyy Scrooottummm'''' -Cheech

Pearl Jam and toast

macgyver06 wrote:

''Myyyyyyyyyyyy Scrooottummm'''' -Cheech

"Beaaaaaannnneeerrrrrrr"

bubbamackdaddy69

darkcrow wrote:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/153619/single_word_causes_uproar_in_childrens.html

Single Word Causes Uproar in Children's Book
By Mike McQuillian

February 17, 2007
Contact me Click to rate content Currently 3.50/5 1 2 3 4 5 3.5 out of 5

---

Adjust font: It's rare to hear the word "scrotum," in polite conversation. Seeing it on the first page of a children's book has some parents and teachers up in arms.

On the first page of The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron, this year's recipient of the Newbery Medal, Lucky Trimble, a scrappy ten-year-old orphan, hears the word through a hole in the wall. This happens when another character s explaining that a rattlesnake bit his dog on the scrotum.

Some school librarians, after hearing about the word being in The Higher Power of Lucky," have vowed to ban the book from their libraries. This has reopened the debate over what is acceptable for children to read.

Many teachers and school librarians have used the internet to weigh in on this issue. It has been a hot topic on dozens of literary blogs and social networking sites. Authors, teachers and school librarians have been forced to take sides in this battle over a book for children. All over the country librarians are debating their role when selecting (or censoring, as some say) literature for children.

Dana Nilsson, a teacher and librarian in Durango Colorado, had this to say about The Higher Power of Lucky": "This book included what I call a Howard Stern-type shock treatment just to see how far they could push the envelope, but they didn't have the children in mind."

A handful of school libraries in the South, West, and Northeast have already taken the book off of their shelves. Many more have indicated that they may do the same.

This topic has dominated conversation among librarians for the past ten days, ever since The Higher Power of Lucky was shipped to schools from the publisher.

Pat Scales, who at one time chaired the Newbery Award committee would be blatant censorship. When asked about the controversy she said "The people who are reacting to that word are not reading the book as a whole. That's what censors do - they pick out words and don't look at the total merit of the book."

Something like this would go unnoticed in most novels, but winning the Newbery Medal brings a huge amount of attention to a children's book. Libraries and bookstores order more of these books than most novels, and they are read out loud to children in schools.

The debate over The Higher Power of Lucky will likely go on for quite some time. The line between protecting our children and censorship has long been an issue, and probably will be for years to come.

Source:

"Children's Book Stirs Battle With Single Word"( http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/18/books/18newb.html?_r=1&oref=slogin)

Man our society is so uptight...it's a friggin word and proper english as a matter of fact..meh...whatever...