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Original poster

11 YO DD1 told not to bring Twilight book into school again because it's 'unchristian'

313 replies

AgentZigzag · 23/01/2012 10:24

DD1s teacher from last year asked her what she was reading at playtime on Friday, DD1 told her it was 'New Moon' which we'd bought her for her birthday in December.

The teacher hurried off and had quiet words with the teacher taking her class this year, they both came back and said she wasn't in trouble, but they didn't want her to bring the book in again to school because it's at odds with the christian values of the school (it's C of E).

The teacher said she'd read the first Twilight book and it's fine if her mum and dad think it's OK for her to read it, but she didn't think it was for little girls and they'd 'get into trouble if anyone saw her reading it' (DD thought the trouble would be from the vicar, although I find this hard to believe).

There are a few things I feel a bit uncomfortable about -

-this teacher had asked DD what she was reading a few times when DD took in the first Twilight book in, and just smiled and said nothing.

-they're actively encouraged to read Harry Potter books, and if you're banning Twilight because it's 'unchristian' then shouldn't that go for HP as well, and anything else with fantasy characters in? So no more fairies or Father Christmas then.

-DD was reading it at playtime, so nothing to do with lessons. Are they expecting her to spread dissent on what the Evil books are about or something?

-I feel they're somehow insinuating we're being unchristian letting her read them, although I couldn't care less about them judging me on my religious views, it annoys me because it seems a bit of a random rule when she's gone all the way through the school and no other judgments on our christian values have been mentioned.

I'm pretty much hands off when it comes to school, letting them get on with their job and do what they ask of me re homework etc. So I'm not planning on storming down there to confront them or anything, but this has really got on my wick and I'm posting to try and sort out what I think about it really.

Am I being unreasonable?

OP posts:
CuntWorm · 23/01/2012 10:53

Young adult is 11/12+

Jackie Collins - is hardly for that audience

Its a different catogory and the comparison doesn't make much sense

cory · 23/01/2012 10:55

I suppose Marigold has a point: a school can make decisions about what is not allowed on school premises, quite regardless of what individual parents would allow outside. There might be parents who were happy to have their older children read Playboy mags, but even a secondary school teacher would confiscate those. I am happy for dd to paint her face outside of school but accept that the school has its own take on that. So I'll retract my last post, having thought about it.

As long as the rules are clearly defined and not arising out of ignorance. I still think discussing the book would be a better way to go than bannning it.

squeakytoy · 23/01/2012 10:56

I would say it isnt suitable material for a child to be sat reading at junior school playtime.

Completely different for a girl to be reading at break-time at high school though.

Do kids at junior school really sit and read? I was and still am an avid book reader, but at playtime I was running around with my friends and chatting.

Red2011 · 23/01/2012 10:56

It is work of fiction. I don't see what their problem is...

I find it very frustrating when people make judgements on what is christian and what is not in terms of reading material.

I haven't read it but would have no issues if when DD is older she wants to read it.

Incidentally, I wonder how the school would feel if she were to take in a copy of 'The Amber Spyglass?' The author has been very clear that he is a staunch atheist.

NormanTebbit · 23/01/2012 10:57

I think they should have a mass burning in the playground.

squeakytoy · 23/01/2012 10:57

Young adult is 11/12+

This is a child at junior school. In my opinion that is not an adult by any stretch of the imagination.

I would say a young adult is 16-24

Kayano · 23/01/2012 10:58

I love Pullman Grin

SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 23/01/2012 10:58

Why would you give Twilight books to an 11yo? As others have said, it's vile, sexist and a steaming pile of shite. I read 3 books, hoping that at some point, it might improve and start to redeem itself! It didn't. Dd is a sensible mature 12, but she is no way emotionally equipped to sort through the shite, and work out what is good or bad!

bemybebe · 23/01/2012 10:59

Faith schools do try to indoctrinate and should be banned.

NormanTebbit · 23/01/2012 10:59

Send her in with The God Delusion instead

NormanTebbit · 23/01/2012 11:00

Oh yes Philip Pullman - ideal!

GetOrfMoiiLand · 23/01/2012 11:00

Apropos of nothing, I remember taking Lace by Shirley Conran into school (year 7) and reading all the naughty bits with my friends.

I think Twilight is utterly trite shite, but I am astonished at the teachers banning it. Surely they should know that banning a book is a sure fire way of ensuring that the whole school will end up reading it.

cory · 23/01/2012 11:01

the term "young adult" is a publishers' term, referring to what the rest of us would call "older children" or "teenagers"

it has nothing to do with the actual onset of adulthood and everything to do with the difficulty of making older children buy books if they suspect there is anything even remotely un-cool about the practice

GetOrfMoiiLand · 23/01/2012 11:01

yy to His Dark Materials. Send her in with that, it is positively blasphemous.

Kayano · 23/01/2012 11:02

They didn't 'ban' it really though...
They just said can you read that at home...

Probably to stop the plague of shit

squeakytoy · 23/01/2012 11:04

I think Twilight is utterly trite shite, but I am astonished at the teachers banning it. Surely they should know that banning a book is a sure fire way of ensuring that the whole school will end up reading it

I honestly think it would be far too boring for most junior school kids. I tried watching the films, as my 40yr old friend is hooked on both the books and the films, and I thought it was absolute shite.

MerryMarigold · 23/01/2012 11:06

I expect the school would have no problem with Philp Pullman. It's brilliant!

Hullygully · 23/01/2012 11:07

Really

Really?

Really?

Original poster
AgentZigzag · 23/01/2012 11:07

Interesting it's written by a Mormon niz, I didn't know that.

'I think they should have a mass burning in the playground.'

That's exactly what ran through my mind Norm Grin

With regards it not being OK at primary, is there that much difference between now and September? Given secondary is a different school and this school can do what it likes on the premises, I'm just left wondering where is the defining line over reading matter and who decides it? Like Worra said about other religions, what would they say about her taking the Koran in to read?

OP posts:
GetOrfMoiiLand · 23/01/2012 11:09

Yes, Phillip Pullmn is brilliant, but if the teachers are going to pleat their cardigan hems at the thought of the ungodliness of books, Phillip Pullman should be on their shitlist.

squeakytoy · 23/01/2012 11:09

Yes I would say there is a big difference between primary and high school. For a start at high school there would be a lot less intervention from the teachers, and the pupils would not be the average age of 8.

sieglinde · 23/01/2012 11:23

Grin 'Harry Potter does not set an emotionally abusive and all-encompassing relationship up as being a good thing which should be aspired to.'

Grin Grin I don't know - have always seen Ron and Hermione in just that light. Smart witches, foolish choices.

Agree about Pullman, but maybe teachers haven't read them? Bit challenging, perhaps?

SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 23/01/2012 11:29

Those who say that faith schools indoctrinate...
Surely if you send your child to a faith school, you expect them to be taught religion from the point of view of that faith?? how is that indoctrination? And why send your child there if you don't want them to learn about that religion and their values??

MerryMarigold · 23/01/2012 11:30

Getorf, I think the ungodliness of Philip P is a bit too subtle for 11yr olds to spot (I struggled to spot it myself, just thoroughly enjoyed the books), whereas losing virginity, committing suicide etc. is fairly obvious! I think they were probably talking about moral standards of Twilight rather than 'anti-Christian' stance.

kelly2000 · 23/01/2012 11:30

I do not see how it is unchristian, it even talks about one of the vampires beliveing in God. - the writer is a mormon.

However, I do not think the book i suitable for someone younger than twelve.
It is also a badly written teenage version of the Ann Rice books, that seems to imply that girls are owned by their boyrfriends, and that sinking into a self harming depression after a break up is a reasonable thing to do, and can only be fixed by ex accepting you again, rather than accepting yourself. I cannot see hermione sinking into depression waiting for Ron to take her back.