COMMENTS AND RESPONSES FROM PERRY
Monday, December 3, 2007
--Perry
Dear Perry,
HERO: BANNED IN HAWAII!
Well at least at our Middle School.
I'm the 8th grade teacher who wrote you a while back all excited that
we're reading your book.
As it turns out, even after my "opt-out" letters went home (mentioning
the mature subject matter and language) and after we read three
chapters, two vocal parents (twice as many as it usually takes) found
out that the "mature subject matter" was homosexual in nature and
started squeaking their wheels. The principal caved after I revealed
my scheme to turn all of the 8th grade students gay.
However, the principal allowed me to keep the novels in my classroom
library--as opposed to teaching the book. I'm not the first to say it,
but if you want to get kids to read something, tell them they can't.
After a brief lesson on the history of banned books, my 25 copies have
been flying off the shelf. Some students are also saying that their
parents bought their own copies and are reading it along with them.
All is not lost as my wife, at the high school, ordered her own set and
is reading your fine book along with her 11th grade guidance
class--(who love it).
Again, please consider visiting us if you ever come to the Big Island
for vacation or anything. There are many students here who would like
to meet and speak to you, and many more adults who need to hear what
you have to say.
If you want copies of any of the letters the parents wrote to our
principal, let me know, and I'll send them your way. Pretty
unbelievable stuff really.
Best Regards (and nice People Mag. spread),
Christopher Michaelis
Language Arts
Kohala Middle School
Kapaau, HI 96755
(look us up--and visit!)
Dear Christopher,
What a shock to receive your e-mail! Thank you and your wife for
being such great advocates of HERO and its message. I wish I'd had
teachers like you two when I was in Middle School. If you ask me,
both the school and the students are very lucky to have such devoted
teachers working with them.
I will have to plan a surfing safari in Hawaii, in which case I will
definitely look you up. Lots of glassy, long, long rights, I hope...
Sorry to hear the book was banned, but sometimes, believe it or not,
as you noted that's the best way to whet someone's appetite for a
great read. Thanks again for keeping me posted. Please let me and
publishers know if we can do anything to help. I wouldn't want either
of you to get in trouble for doing such a great job, even it ruffles a
few feathers along the way (the truth has an interesting way of doing
that sometimes...). Hyperion worked very hard to put together an
excellent teachers guide, which is posted on this site, if anyone is
interested.
All the best,
Perry
Monday, December 3, 2007
HERO: BANNED in Hawaii
Check out this e-mail from two wonderfully dedicated teachers in Hawaii. Apparently, HERO has been banned! Please let me know if this is happening anywhere else. I've alerted my publishers and we're happy to offer our help to all teachers.--Perry
Dear Perry,
HERO: BANNED IN HAWAII!
Well at least at our Middle School.
I'm the 8th grade teacher who wrote you a while back all excited that
we're reading your book.
As it turns out, even after my "opt-out" letters went home (mentioning
the mature subject matter and language) and after we read three
chapters, two vocal parents (twice as many as it usually takes) found
out that the "mature subject matter" was homosexual in nature and
started squeaking their wheels. The principal caved after I revealed
my scheme to turn all of the 8th grade students gay.
However, the principal allowed me to keep the novels in my classroom
library--as opposed to teaching the book. I'm not the first to say it,
but if you want to get kids to read something, tell them they can't.
After a brief lesson on the history of banned books, my 25 copies have
been flying off the shelf. Some students are also saying that their
parents bought their own copies and are reading it along with them.
All is not lost as my wife, at the high school, ordered her own set and
is reading your fine book along with her 11th grade guidance
class--(who love it).
Again, please consider visiting us if you ever come to the Big Island
for vacation or anything. There are many students here who would like
to meet and speak to you, and many more adults who need to hear what
you have to say.
If you want copies of any of the letters the parents wrote to our
principal, let me know, and I'll send them your way. Pretty
unbelievable stuff really.
Best Regards (and nice People Mag. spread),
Christopher Michaelis
Language Arts
Kohala Middle School
Kapaau, HI 96755
(look us up--and visit!)
Dear Christopher,
What a shock to receive your e-mail! Thank you and your wife for
being such great advocates of HERO and its message. I wish I'd had
teachers like you two when I was in Middle School. If you ask me,
both the school and the students are very lucky to have such devoted
teachers working with them.
I will have to plan a surfing safari in Hawaii, in which case I will
definitely look you up. Lots of glassy, long, long rights, I hope...
Sorry to hear the book was banned, but sometimes, believe it or not,
as you noted that's the best way to whet someone's appetite for a
great read. Thanks again for keeping me posted. Please let me and
publishers know if we can do anything to help. I wouldn't want either
of you to get in trouble for doing such a great job, even it ruffles a
few feathers along the way (the truth has an interesting way of doing
that sometimes...). Hyperion worked very hard to put together an
excellent teachers guide, which is posted on this site, if anyone is
interested.
All the best,
Perry
posted by Perry at
7:42 PM
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