For the record, “Word Nerd” (you can read an excerpt on this blog) is a tender story about a 12-year-old boy who lost his father before he was born, and lives with his well-meaning but overprotective mother (I am not going to point out the obvious ironies here). He’s an outcast, a self-described nerd who is bullied at school. But Ambrose (the protagonist) is a glass-half-full kid, and during the course of the novel he manages to find a community at the local Scrabble Club, with the help of his rather messed-up upstairs neighbour. The two men (one 12, one 25) help each other in unique and meaningful ways. Cosmo becomes an unlikely father figure or older brother to Ambrose, and Ambrose helps heal some of Cosmo’s deep wounds – and helps him find love in the process. It is not a book about “boners” (which Ambrose mentions as one of the many things he’d be able to talk about with his dad if he were still alive), and the few references in the book to his burgeoning sexuality are within context, and, I believe, incredibly true and real. To think that our children aren’t having these thoughts, or know this language, by the age of 12, is to live with one’s head in the sand.
But that is just my opinion, and everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. I have no qualms about that. However I am deeply disappointed that my book has temporarily been pulled from the shelves at Franklin Road School.
Censorship has been around forever, and will continue to be. In its own tiny way, “Word Nerd” joins the ranks of books like “The Catcher in the Rye,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and any of the “Harry Potter” series (and any of Judy Blume’s books – and she’s my idol). You can click on any of the links to see the controversy that surrounded all of these books. I know, how dare I put my book into such lofty company! But it’s the same issues, different day.
Did silly season start already? I didn’t get the memo. Hey everyone it’s silly season!
Censorship never ceases to amaze me. As a teacher-librarian I am deeply saddened at the staff of Franklin Road School for not fighting for intellectual freedom and standing up in defense of such a fantastic novel, a Red Maple nominee no less. What saddens me most is that they have probably not even read the book and fallen in love with the young, quirky Ambrose.
Beth McEwen
Teacher-Librarian and Red Maple Selection Chair
King George P.S.
Guelph, ON
A clarification with regards to Word Nerd at Franklin Road – Word Nerd has NOT been removed from the shelf at Franklin Road School…the teacher-librarian told the reporter from the Spectator that she would be pulling the book when the student returned it (he wanted to finish the book, by the way), so that she could read the book. She had not had a chance to read Word Nerd before it began circulating. All the schools with Grade 7 and 8 in HWDSB received a set of Red Maple books for their collection. The book will remain in circulation unless there is an official challenge and then the process will begin.
Marilyn Legault
Acting Head-Librarian
HWDSB
It is surprising that “Word Nerd” is receiving such negative attention because of the reference to a “boner” This book has an intended audience of students 13 and older and let’s face it, “boners” are part of their everyday humour. More surprisingly however, is the fact that this book has not received negative attention for the attempted murder of an anaphylactic student when a group of boys slip a peanut into his sandwich.
Anaphylaxis is a growing concern and should never be seen or portrayed as anything other than serious. It is after all, a life threatening allergy. The boys in this story receive a light sentence of cafeteria duty after Ambrose has an anaphylactic reaction after they put the peanut in his sandwich. This was an attempted murder and the whole situation was dealt with too lightly. If the author’s intention was to bring some attention to anaphylaxis, then it was not well thought out. I am disappointed with Ms Nielsen’s ambivilant portrayal of anaphylactic allergies.
Having anaphylaxis, I found this book to be potentially dangerous. If this lands in the wrong hands, it could give a student the idea to do it themselves to an anaphylactic student at his or her school. After all, in the book, the boys did not get suspended and the main character did not actually die.
School is supposed to be a “peanut aware” or “peanut free” place where students with anaphylaxis should not have to worry about attempts on their lives. If a school librarian has to put this on a shelf, considerable consideration should be taken before deciding where to put it in the library.
In my opinion, much more serious outcomes can occur from reading “Word Nerd” other than learning about “boners”.
Thank you Marilyn for clarifying the outcome at Franklin Road school. I’m so glad to hear that, contrary to what the newspaper article claimed, the book hasn’t been removed from the library shelves. I too am also so glad that the boy wanted to finish the book – I hope he renewed it!
Beth McEwen