#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #TheGirlWhoLovedTomGordon by Stephen King #BookSky I found the novel The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon on a list of books removed from Florida's Clay County school district shelves, grades 9-12. As you were reading, did you see any reason that would justify the removal? - ThreadSky

retired-librarian.bsky.social • 18 days ago

#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #TheGirlWhoLovedTomGordon by Stephen King #BookSky

I found the novel The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon on a list of books removed from Florida's Clay County school district shelves, grades 9-12. As you were reading, did you see any reason that would justify the removal?

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barond.bsky.social•18 days ago

Only 2 weak possibilities I could think of -
Larry McFarland’s apatheist views on God,
or
The “graphic” description of what Mazzerole would do to Trisha.
I don’t find either evidence enough for banning, but these are different times.

saranomee.bsky.social•17 days ago

None. With every page, I kept asking why it was banned?

rosiestiorraandmom.bsky.social•15 days ago

Nothing to justify banning IMHO. As former middle school teacher I loved reading aloud to the kids. I would have had no problem reading this in June to the 8th graders esp since we live in rural New England and the Red Sox are a favorite in our area. Connections galore!!! ⚾️

michaelastackpole.bsky.social•18 days ago

Not a one.

Great book, and the King book I recommend often for those who aren't sure they will like his work because they don't like horror.

evebaby24.bsky.social•8 days ago

Just finished reading the book A few people make a great point regarding the various discussions of God, in which the Christian fundamentalist notion of God is absent. Possible reason for banning in Bible Belt.

pauly1982.bsky.social•14 days ago

I don't believe in banning books so there is no justification. If they think they are protecting children by removing these titles, they are wrong. Children need to learn about the world and the only way is through reading/ books et. al. By banning you are dooming them to ignorance.

haghoney.bsky.social•18 days ago

I read it when I was young, maybe 12 or so. I don’t remember much about it except a vague memory of a supernatural element to the plot, like a lot of King. A lot of books that reference magic get removed.

morrigan6.bsky.social•18 days ago

Not one valid reason. Clay Co. is stubbornly regressive, so the phrase “God of the Lost” probably did it. You know, screeching about “false idols” and such. 🙄

thesjadventures.bsky.social•13 days ago

I had to google why it had been banned earlier today as I had no idea reading it. I really enjoyed the book. I didn’t like the baseball theme but was fascinated by her journey through the woods and wondering if she would survive.

jen-bookfreedom.bsky.social•18 days ago

I’m a bit behind schedule but I read The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon ages ago and have no idea why it would be banned! But then again, I have no idea why any books should be. Starting to re-read it for the #BannedBookSkyClub

china-m.bsky.social•17 days ago

Delving deeper into the pissible natures of G-d might upset some people, and they might not want to let their kids question their version of organized religion.

Also, 9-year-olds dropping the f-bomb - but that's just plain silly.

china-m.bsky.social•17 days ago

POSSIBLE (auto-correct just messed with me!)

winecave.bsky.social•18 days ago

King is very vocal here on BlueSky against the current administration.

thorbee.bsky.social•8 days ago

Absolutely zero idea of why this isn’t accessible to high schoolers. Yes, sex was mentioned once. But in a very glossed over way. No detail. Any high schooler should be able to handle that.

hearmeroar11.bsky.social•15 days ago

None, none at all. I actually looked it up after I was done because I couldn't think of any reason it was banned. What I found said it was due to 'potential sexual situations'. Obviously, there were none, so they banned it without reading it. Seems it's just because it's King...

retired-librarian.bsky.social•15 days ago

It seemed like a batch removal in Florida, so everything Stephen King. I assumed it was the assumption of horror in everything he's written but haven't delved further yet.

librarymary.bsky.social•18 days ago

There was a lot of, in my opinion, reasonable and natural questioning of God, and other forms of spirituality discussed. And swear words? Nothing in it was inappropriate for teenagers IMO. The idea is laughable compared to what most of them are getting on their/ their friends’ phones anyway.

phunkinpunk.bsky.social•18 days ago

Strong women are a threat; Trisha demonstrated everything MAGA hates: intelligence, resilience, agency, and persistence. And having her favorite baseball player be Black? Heaven forfend.

rosiestiorraandmom.bsky.social•15 days ago

🎯
I asked my husband about Tom and he showed me his picture. That was my immediate thought as well.

kairybee.bsky.social•18 days ago

My guess is that the “God of the Lost” is a smidge too close to paganism for a certain subset of Christianity.

kairybee.bsky.social•18 days ago

Jk, turns out the state of Florida low-key hates Stephen King…

https://www.newsweek.com/stephen-king-books-banned-florida-full-list-1947910

julie-cooper.bsky.social•18 days ago

Wow! I suspect they're targeting King more for his politics than for his books. On Writing is a work of nonfiction. What possible justification would there be to ban that one?

jen-bookfreedom.bsky.social•18 days ago

On Writing is an accessible masterpiece! Or it used to be accessible. I agree. Why on earth would anyone ban this book? Do Floridians want to avoid teaching their kids how to become and whether to become writers? It has to be political because King calls out this kind of bull!

morrigan6.bsky.social•18 days ago

It’s not low key.

me-shell.bsky.social•18 days ago

I read it I can't think of any reason

tornadobunnyaurora.bsky.social•18 days ago

I didn’t see anything that would have justified removal . I feel like I related to the main character , and her rooting for a pitcher on the Red Sox. At 11, I was a huge Roger Clemens fan . Kids of all ages swear .. maybe people got upset about the f-bomb??

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