Soul-searching for kids: US documentary divides viewers
The News Review:
- Soul-searching for kids: US documentary divides viewers
- Banned book focus of library program, talks
- The clubbing of books
- From A London Times Correspondent
Soul-searching for kids: US documentary divides viewers
The Age – Sep 30, 2006
With other children as young as six, the three were enlisted byMs Fischer as Christian soldiers in the service of God, as theyweep, speak in tongues, collapse and writhe on the floor, and findthe power of enlightenment. One of the beliefs that make the Ring of Fire camp, at thewonderfully named Devil’s Lake in North Dakota, distinct is MsFischer’s faith in the supernatural powers of children. At one stage she warns the children against Harry Potter, as ifmagicians really exist. Warlocks, she says sternly, are enemies ofGod. If Harry Potter had been around in the time of the OldTestament, he would have been put to death. In another incident, a cardboard cut-out of President GeorgeBush is put before the children and they are asked to pray forhim. Ms Fischer frequently uses war terminology but says it’s about aspiritual warfare, not one with weapons… At one stage she warns the children against Harry Potter, as ifmagicians really exist. Warlocks, she says sternly, are enemies ofGod. If Harry Potter had been around in the time of the OldTestament, he would have been put to death. In another incident, a cardboard cut-out of President GeorgeBush is put before the children and they are asked to pray forhim. Ms Fischer frequently uses war terminology but says it’s about aspiritual warfare, not one with weapons. She says: “Christians do believe they are in a cultural war forthe lives and souls of people worldwide, and particularly for theminds and hearts of our children and youth. “Children are sponges who eat up anything spiritual that hassignificance to them.
Banned book focus of library program, talks
Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal – Sep 30, 2006
“Each of these, and many, many others, at one point were banned. Some were targeted for perceived foul language, others for perceived racism. “‘Harry Potter’ is the top one because people feel it endorses witchcraft,” said Jan Willis, Lee County Library director. “We know how many kids enjoy a love of reading because of the ‘Harry Potter’ series. It’s a shame people want to keep kids from discovering the joy of reading by banning ‘Harry Potter. ‘ “That series stays on the library shelves, he said, because “it’s important for people to have a choice to read what they want to and make up their minds. “The library is highlighting banned books… “”But when I tell them ‘Huckleberry Finn’ is on the list, they’re amazed,” Manning said. “They think all banned books are bad. If you ask the kids, they say, ‘Yeah, Harry Potter. “Mark Twains’ classic “Huckleberry Finn” once was banned because of alleged racism. Another children’s book, “Captain Underpants,” by Dav Pilkey, was banned because someone thought it had an “anti-family bias. “John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice And Men” was banned because of bad language, and people thought the “Goosebumps” series by R.
The clubbing of books
NEWS.com.au – Sep 30, 2006
We’re publishing an amazing story of a journalist working under the Taliban (The Punishment of Virtue by Sarah Chayes)," she says. "In a way it’s wonderful that people want to understand their world more and try to grasp why things happen. "
But what of the next generation? Are they the computer-addicted, book-allergic types the book-is-dead theorists forsee? The popularity of book series such as Harry Potter, Andy Griffiths and fairy books have increased readership in younger readers, according to observers in the industry. Whether the reading hook lodges deep enough to keep them addicted remains to be seen. In 2000 the Centre of Youth Literature conducted a national research project investigating the reading habits of young Australians. They found that 74 per cent of all 10-18-year-olds say they like reading, and 64 per cent report wanting to read more. Seamus Brown, a Melbourne IT analyst, keen reader and e-book technology fan, says young readers hold the key to the e-book generation.
From A London Times Correspondent
NEWS.com.au – Sep 30, 2006
She says that while she has been "putting my heart and soul into writing my book", she hasn’t really wanted to read anyone else, and after "the crime happened" she was particularly selective. Self-protective? "Yes, and so were my friends. They bought me Harry Potter and things like that, and a colleague gave me a book of quotes which I found helpful. "
To help with bereavement? "More general. A Little Book of Courage and Strength, and that helped me and I took it to the trial with me. And also things that people had written to me – some were prayers and some were just cards with thoughts.