DISTURBING book assigned to my son by his English teacher

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Lanolin

Lanolin

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#21
Dec 15, 2018
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#21
I remember a book assigned in high school called Lord of the Flies. I really hated that book. Why English teachers assigned that one is a mystery to me.

my thoughts are that high school students ought to be able to choose what they read. Teachers could give them a choice or a genre and then they can pick what they prefer. They could do it in groups. Nothing puts people off reading more than having assigned something nobody enjoys reading.

Thats also why I dont do book clubs where everyone is obligated to read what someone else has picked.
 
Lanolin

Lanolin

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#22
Dec 15, 2018
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#22
If I had known back then that 'Lord of the Flies' means Beezlebub or Satan in the Bible I wouldnt have touched it. Horrible book about bullying boys.
 
Angela53510

Angela53510

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#23
Jan 24, 2011
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#23
Lanolin said:
If I had known back then that 'Lord of the Flies' means Beezlebub or Satan in the Bible I wouldnt have touched it. Horrible book about bullying boys.
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Hubby and I just watched Lord of the Flies on TV. A very old black & white movie. I remember hating it in high school. But being an adult, it was a poignant commentary on the sinfulness of humans.

The young boys started out very proper, appointed a leader. But as the children failed to do their jobs and pursued their own interests, their "society" collapsed.

I think it reflects a very Christian worldview. We are all sinners, some people get saved, others die. It also showed the savagery in human beings, and our need for a saviour. It truly is a book that everyone is reflected in.

As for the OP's book, it doesn't sound like it has any redeeming qualities, and that it was written to upset teens. No clue how anyone could call it a worthy or classic for reading. Whereas Lord of the Flies delivers a very strong message on the nature of humans, and the fall of civilization.
 
K

Kojikun

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#24
Oct 5, 2018
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#24
JimGorch said:
Hello everyone.

My son recently brought home a book his English teacher assigned him to read, The Raw Materials of Futility.

To give some background, we are a Christian family and go to church every Sunday, I have raised my kids to believe in Jesus and it is important to me that they have their faith to lean on in times of emotional struggle.

My son is 13 and brought home this book, started reading it and came to me because it scared him. I started reading and was floored that a teacher would assign this to a very young teenager. The book is full of scenes depicting rape, child molestation, murder, cannibalism, and devil worship. The book actually GLORIFIES all of these things. Worst of all though is the blasphemy. The author mocks and insults God repeatedly throughout the book, and even rewrites parts of The Bible to make fun of it.

I’ve made a call to the principle and we are having a meeting tomorrow with the teacher, and they are all going to get a piece of my mind about who in the world could think this was appropriate reading to assign a 13 YEAR OLD.

Fellow Christian parents, mind what your kids are reading! There is so much negativity and filth out there right now trying to poison our kids minds against God and against the church. It’s UNREAL.
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Repulsive! 🤢🤦‍♂️ I used to work at a book store, there is lots of vile stuff out there.
 
Lanolin

Lanolin

Well-known member
#25
Dec 15, 2018
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#25
Angela53510 said:
Hubby and I just watched Lord of the Flies on TV. A very old black & white movie. I remember hating it in high school. But being an adult, it was a poignant commentary on the sinfulness of humans.

The young boys started out very proper, appointed a leader. But as the children failed to do their jobs and pursued their own interests, their "society" collapsed.

I think it reflects a very Christian worldview. We are all sinners, some people get saved, others die. It also showed the savagery in human beings, and our need for a saviour. It truly is a book that everyone is reflected in.

As for the OP's book, it doesn't sound like it has any redeeming qualities, and that it was written to upset teens. No clue how anyone could call it a worthy or classic for reading. Whereas Lord of the Flies delivers a very strong message on the nature of humans, and the fall of civilization.
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though its just boys though there werent any girls in the book. so not really a book 'everyone' is reflected in sorry.
Just depressing and not really something many teens really want to read.
 
Angela53510

Angela53510

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#26
Jan 24, 2011
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#26
Lanolin said:
though its just boys though there werent any girls in the book. so not really a book 'everyone' is reflected in sorry.
Just depressing and not really something many teens really want to read.
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I'm not really a post modern feminist. The "boys" in the movie were representative of the universal human being. After how I was tortured in junior high by a queen bee and her followers, you will never convince me that women are any different than men. We are all capable of sin and evil, without the restraining hand of God in our lives.

And that is scriptural! "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." We are all depraved, male and female!

Very representative of us all!
 
Lanolin

Lanolin

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#27
Dec 15, 2018
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#27
was just talking bout the book, not the movie. I dont remember seeing the movie.

It didnt make much of an impression on me, since it was a bunch of priveliged british boys who had no clue how to survive on an island. Wasnt even that realistic because most of us reading the book actually came from pacific islands lol
 
Angela53510

Angela53510

Senior Member
#28
Jan 24, 2011
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#28
Lanolin said:
was just talking bout the book, not the movie. I dont remember seeing the movie.

It didnt make much of an impression on me, since it was a bunch of priveliged british boys who had no clue how to survive on an island. Wasnt even that realistic because most of us reading the book actually came from pacific islands lol
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The movie followed the book quite closely, from what I remembered. Funny how my best friend (a doctor) and I were so deeply affected by the book. Maybe you need to read the book again, and now that you are older and more educated, you will be able to see the universal themes of the book that run through it! Instead of immaturely dismissing it as a book about British boys.

I suppose you feel the same about 1984? Talk about a life changing book. I read it in high school in the 1960's. The writing style still knocks me over. As for the themes, you can't get closer to today than that book.
 
Lanolin

Lanolin

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#29
Dec 15, 2018
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#29
Hatchet is probably a better book by Gary Paulsen in terms of being more realistic.
Though it also is a bit of a drag to read since the writing style is so repetitive.

animal farm is a better than 1984 I feel, in terms of being enjoyable and affecting. Though all Orwells books are interesting he also couldnt see past his own privelige at times.
Pilgrims progresss I would recommend as life changing and inspiring.

Most teens would read a dystopia like Divergent, or Hunger Games. Though personally I couldnt get through Hunger Games at least its representative.
 
Lanolin

Lanolin

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#30
Dec 15, 2018
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#30
Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood is another one, though I preferred Cats Eye if you want to read about females bullying each other.

Lord of the Rings is also very good, though the Hobbit is an easier entree into the world of Middle Earth.
 
Lanolin

Lanolin

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#31
Dec 15, 2018
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#31
When you are a teen generally you dont read books for huge themes. You dont have the insight that an adult might have because you just dont have the experience.

Thats why what teachers think is a good book usually isnt lol
 
Lanolin

Lanolin

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#32
Dec 15, 2018
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#32
The Crucible by arthur Miller was also another play that was required reading, It was kinda boring. Im sure it was a big deal about witchcraft, back in the day with depraved people, but..also meh for a teen to read. Macbeth was slightly better.

Harry Potter was the one that engaged everyone, with themes of good and evil, cos it had a (flawed) hero that you could relate to. what teen relates to a bunch of puritans hating each other in the 1600s?
 
G

Graceguy

Member
#33
Sep 15, 2019
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#33
JimGorch said:
Hello everyone.

My son recently brought home a book his English teacher assigned him to read, The Raw Materials of Futility.

To give some background, we are a Christian family and go to church every Sunday, I have raised my kids to believe in Jesus and it is important to me that they have their faith to lean on in times of emotional struggle.

My son is 13 and brought home this book, started reading it and came to me because it scared him. I started reading and was floored that a teacher would assign this to a very young teenager. The book is full of scenes depicting rape, child molestation, murder, cannibalism, and devil worship. The book actually GLORIFIES all of these things. Worst of all though is the blasphemy. The author mocks and insults God repeatedly throughout the book, and even rewrites parts of The Bible to make fun of it.

I’ve made a call to the principle and we are having a meeting tomorrow with the teacher, and they are all going to get a piece of my mind about who in the world could think this was appropriate reading to assign a 13 YEAR OLD.

Fellow Christian parents, mind what your kids are reading! There is so much negativity and filth out there right now trying to poison our kids minds against God and against the church. It’s UNREAL.
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Do what you’ve decided to do. You have a right to express your views and support your boy.
 
Lanolin

Lanolin

Well-known member
#34
Dec 15, 2018
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#34
consider some alternative books to read, dont just complain to the school and not suggest something else. Teachers dont often have time as remember they are not just teaching YOUR child.
 
Lanolin

Lanolin

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#35
Dec 15, 2018
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#35
for 13 year old, I would consider something like The Wonder by Rj Palaccio which is quite a touching story and been popular with readers.

but also theres non fiction, I dont know why more teachers dont consider that genre.
Diary of Anne Frank

Young readers editions of memoirs eg Born a Crime by Trevor Noah (has a strong faith message)
 
Lisamn

Lisamn

Active member
#36
Dec 29, 2020
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#36
JimGorch said:
I’ve made a call to the principle and we are having a meeting tomorrow with the teacher, and they are all going to get a piece of my mind about who in the world could think this was appropriate reading to assign a 13 YEAR OLD.

Fellow Christian parents, mind what your kids are reading! There is so much negativity and filth out there right now trying to poison our kids minds against God and against the church. It’s UNREAL.
Click to expand...
What happened when you met with the principal?
 
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