Rating:  Summary: Parents: Read this first Review: I have a 7 year old daughter who reads constantly. I try to read one or two books by the author before I let her read the author's work, particularly with modern books. I have read several Sachar books and I have been pleased. Although this book is meant for an older audience, I'm sure many younger children, like my daughter, will pick it up unknowingly. (She wanted a more challenging book) I was disappointed with the constant use of vulgar language throughout the book. The story line is riviting and very thoughtful but the language is highly inappropriate for children. Children imitate art... parents, read it first.
Rating:  Summary: Why must you use vulgarity to put over your point? Review: I have always enjoyed every book that Louis Sacher has ever written since the beginning of the Wayside School books. He has been able to make children and adults laugh at improbable situations that if one is a teacher, one sees everyday. Because of his name, children will take his books off the shelf and read them. After reading it,this book concerns me. In all of his other books, Sacher has never used any profanity or vulgar language. His books have been ones that teachers could safely read to a group of children without worry - until now. His use of such words as pissants and assholes as a greeting of these characters is showing a lack of originality in using the English language. As a teacher these are words that though they may be used in the home are not allowed at school. Why? Because they are in school to elevate their control of the English language not to have it validated that these are words that are okay to use. This story is so good and is one that I would readily have read to a fifth or sixth grade class. The conflicts that David, the main character, goes through as to what is really mean and not so mean are tender and real. Why did Sacher feel the need to mess it up with the constant return to inappropriate language? Yes, as a teacher, I can read a book outloud and remove the language but what if a child likes the book and reads the real language of the book. I am tired of the excuse that "this is how children talk today" for the reasoning behind this kind of terminlogy. If there is no model for something better then one will never know any better. That is what "good literature" is to achieve. I believe that any literature should try to achieve this goal even when it is juvenile humorous literature.
Rating:  Summary: Not annoyed by the language Review: I have enjoyed all the Sachar books. This one ventures into controvesial language and behavior and nervous parents and teachers will worry that children will use this language inappropriately. I read this book to my seven year old and not only did he love it, but he found the discussion of such controversial subjects very thought provoking. There is a lengthy discussion between friends and parents about giving somebody the finger. What it means, how context influences meaning, who is aware or unaware of its meaning. I don't know where else kids are going to find such thoughtful and provocative discussions. Certainly not from parents and teachers. Thank goodness for Louis and his brave publisher. This book connects to kids in a dramatic and moving way, and best of all shows that reading can be a real key into understanding and thinking. Kudos to Sachar!!!
Rating:  Summary: Louis sachar writes another great book Review: I love Louis Sachar's books. He is one of the most intelligent, funny writers of today. His books have great plots are written for every ability level. This book is great whether you are old or young because an older person can pick up on his deeper meanings. I would recommend this book to anyone.
Rating:  Summary: I love it! Review: I loved this book, even though it did have swearing in it that dosn't make it bad. I love all of louis sachars books because of the way he writes. He's so funny and you never have a clue what will happen next!
Rating:  Summary: The Boy Who Lost His Face Review: I particually enjoyed this book. I have read two other books by Louis Sachar (Holes and There's a boy in the girl's bathroom)and this was probabally the best. Louis Sachar is a very good author.This book was funny and realistic. A normal school is very like the one in the story. The language is what people about twelve would use. There is a twist to the story which I enjoyed. I would strongly reccomend this book.
Rating:  Summary: Excellent book with wide appeal Review: I picked up a copy of "The Boy Who Lost His Face" because I quite enjoyed Sachar's other books (specifically, "Holes" was brilliant). This ended up being one of his finest works, insightful and funny. The book does use 'naughty' language at parts, but it is used to aid the story (for example, the main character and his father ponder over why certain acts are considered vulgar, and others aren't)... and it's nothing you won't see on prime-time television.
Rating:  Summary: A very good, funny book Review: I recently read this book and I liked it a lot. There are a bunch of swears in it, but hey, that's how normal kids their age usually talk anyway. It is a book about a kid, David, who everyone says is totally uncool. When he tries to become cool by helping steal a "witch's" cane, she puts a "curse" on him. Now it seems he can't do anything right. He spills things left and right, he walks into class with his fly unzipped, and his pants keep falling down. He goes to the "witch's" house to see how he can get rid of the curse. He finds out, but how will he be able to pull off what the "witch" wants him to do? A book full of imaginative writing, suspense, and a surprise ending. I would reccomend this book to ages 10-up. Not for people who don't like swearing.
Rating:  Summary: Beautiful. Review: I remember being amazingly touched by this book (and yes, parents, mortified by the language). In a world riddled with the ho-hum "Great Literature" college reading I now am privy to, this book still ranks as one of my favorite reads. A silly premise blossoms into a very funny, touching book about conscience, goodness, and most notably, self-sabotage. It's ridiculous enough to appeal to the MTV blink-of-an-eye attention spans of the preteen demographic, but just real enough to be remembered when you're, oh, say, 19 years old. Louis Sachar's writing is tinged with genius. I knew it when I was 11, and I know it now.
Rating:  Summary: This book is the reason that kids love Louis Sachar Review: I remember discovering this book in my 5th grade classroom library. It was a big, secret hit because it had SWEARING in it, which of course my friends and I thought was hilarious. But it was hilarious because it was in a BOOK, in the school library no less. God knows we knew the words already, and we certainly knew how to use them. For a while it was fun to just remember the pages with the dirty words and giggle over them, but eventually I decided to sit down and actually READ the book. And it made a big enough impact on me that I still remember it now, eight years later. Louis Sachar must remember middle school better than most of his peers, because he writes about how it is. Middle school students adore his books because they're accurate; kids know when they're being talked down to. Middle schoolers, yes, even your precious 9-12 year olds, know how to swear, know how to fight, and know how to flip off old ladies. Kids are not nice, not in the least, and at least Louis Sachar can write a book that they can relate to. It's pointless to suggest that a book aimed at this age group should be held responsible for upholding any grand morality. When you're 12, you really don't care. But if it's a book that kids will want to read, that teaches how to stand up for yourself and appreciate the friends you have, well... isn't that the point?
|