 WHALE TALK -- Letters about Fowlerville, Michigan challenge. Misc. authors Adult Completed Read an Excerpt Many people showed their support for WHALE TALK in spite of the board's fearful decision. Read those letters here. Excerpt Letters from (and about) Fowlerville September 29, 2003 Dear Mr. Crutcher, I am a senior at Fowlerville High School and I am in one of the lucky classes that was able to read and finish your book before it was pulled by our school board. As you know there has been some controversy surrounding Whale Talk and I would like to apologize. I can speak on behalf of 99% of the students at Fowlerville High when I say that Whale Talk was truly amazing and inspirational. It is very unfair and extremely unconstitutional for one parent to try and dictate to other parents on what their children can or cannot read. If only this parent knew what an impact this book has made on some of our lives, maybe he or she wouldn\'t have tried to have it banned. I believe that this parent is ignorant for trying to do such a thing without fully understanding the important messages you were trying to convey. It is ironic that this same foolish ignorance can be found in characters like Rich Marshal. Many of the students here at Fowlerville hope that Whale Talk will not be removed and will continue supporting it until the decision is made. It would be a true crime if future students did not have this important educational tool in our school system. Thank you, Anonymous Senior September 29, 2003 Mr. Crutcher, I just want you to know that i am a student at Fowlerville High School and i totally disagree with whoever said anything about the book whale talk. I personally found it inspirational and you the author it was like the book was heart felt and took alot of time. I know from experience that trying to write a story well mine wasnt long at all but i do know that it takes talent and time lots of time to write something like that. From whale talk that is one of my favorite books now and it was amazing. Not everyone at the Fowlerville High think wrong about your book. I just remember my English teacher telling my class that we were going to read a book and it was called whale talk and all i could think of is oh yea. I dont like reading but i am very glad that i did. You should make a second book, Whale Talk 2. I would read it any time and any where. And i know soon when i go to a book store that i am going to get whale talk. My grandma didnt like it cause of all of the cussing in it, but that is high school and things in the book do go on in high school. I would like to thank you for your time and i just want you to know i think the school is wrong for banning your book. Have a nice day or whatever. C.L. September 30, 2003 While I believe that Whale Talk is a great book (it is used in many of the English classrooms in my high school), the bigger issue to me is the fact that a parent believes that she should be able to make the decision to have a book removed simply because she does not approve of the content. How arrogant!! She may decide what her child may read, but she does not have the right to choose the books that other children may read. That is left to THEIR parents to decide. ~PammC September 30, 2003 Whale Talk is a great book. It is high time we debunk the myth that "Sports is God". Sports programs do a myriad of harms to schools and students. It is also high time that society takes a look at child abuse issues. Whale Talk treats these subjects very well. Rebecca Evans Oxford, OH October 1, 2003 It is important that we focus on the positives of Whale Talk and learn its valuable lessons. This parent against the book truly feels that he/she is doing the right thing. Let us remember not to attack her stance while supporting the book. I was able to teach the novel to my College Prep English classes, and the majority of the students loved the message. In my five years of teaching, I have NEVER seen so much discussion, reflection, analysis, connection, and critical thinking when it comes to a book--classical or contemporary. Students are actually voicing that they want to be better people; they want to stop judging people on the outside because it's too difficult to really know what's going on in the inside. Students are happy to be more aware of their surroundings, especially prior to going off to college. Although we will never "speak whale," let us try our best to understand and care for one another as human beings. I would ask my students and anyone who reads the book and understands its message to support the book, its content, its value, and its use without attacking those who disagree with it. FHS English Teacher and Crutcher Fan, Mrs. S October 1, 2003 We were fortunate to host Chris Crutcher last year at our school. Our school, Hillside Middle School, is an urban school with 592 students. Chris spent two and ½ days talking to each of our 8th grade English classes and 4 of our 7th grade classes. Chris discussed with the students how he turns real life events into fiction. The topic of language used by some of the characters was questioned by some students. Chris responded with a sample from his experience as a therapist. One very young child used profane language. Chris explained to the students why the child used the language. The words were commonly flung at her at home. When with others she put it out there as who she had been told she is. In one student's thank you letter to Chris, she addressed his explanation for the use of strong language in his books. She thanked him for showing her not to judge people by the language they use. Last week was Banned Book Week. Nation wide librarians celebrate our role in providing great literature to our patrons. Literature that may reflect a view conflicting with one's beliefs. I discussed with our students some of the books that have been challenged across the United States. Two of Crutcher's books (Athletic Shorts and Running Loose) are among the 100 most challenged books in the U.S. Both of those books are in our library. Athletic Shorts was the number one book circulated last year from our collection. During orientation this fall, I used Athletic Shorts as an example when showing the students how to search a title entry in our on-line catalog. As I pulled the title up I discovered that all 10 copies were checked out. This was during the second week of school. It is great to see students reading books, exploring our diverse world through literature, and questioning what is right and what is wrong through their books. The point is, students and parents need to realize that we live in a diverse world. Ideas and beliefs are as different as the people who populate our world. We need to have the opportunity to explore people and their beliefs. Not allowing our students that opportunity is a disservice to them and to our communities. If we have not learned since Columbine, that we need to understand each other and help each other, then we will continue to live in a society that suffers from hate, racism, and fear. I urge your Board of Education to support the use of Whale Talk in your English curriculum. Cheryl Barber Librarian Hillside Middle School Kalamazoo, Michigan |
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