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Apparently, I may be inappropriate. According to this article, a school board in Florida is discussing whether or not Just Listen should be on their library shelves. This isn't the first time my books have been challenged, but why does it always kind of surprise me? In more pleasant news, my editor is fantastic. Not just because she's great at what she does, knows perfectly how to deal with all my varying neuroses, and is more fun to have dinner with than just about anyone. But also because for Christmas, she sent me this: The Complete My So Called Life series on DVD. *squeals* Does she know me, or what? I am so excited I can hardly stand it. I can watch them ALL from start to finish. See Claire Danes as Angela! Jared Leto before he got kind of scary! And slow down that one where he takes her hand in the hallway down to the exact moment, and make it LAAAAST. I am such a dork, I know. But this is one of my favorites shows ever, one of the best shows ever period. You know how I'm spending my free time over the holidays. I don't think Sasha's too young for a Jordan Catalano crush, is she? The only thing that would make this a better day is if I'd discovered the Sex and the City movie trailer online. Hmmmmm.... have a good day, everyone!  |
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On December 12th, 2007 05:59 pm (UTC), (Anonymous) commented: good stuff Love love love My So-Called Life! It's an amazing show. Also, thanks for sharing the trailer. Can't wait for May! Monique |
On December 12th, 2007 07:54 pm (UTC), (Anonymous) commented: Just Listen is my favorite book by you. Top 3 in my favorite books period. Have a great holiday. :) |
On December 12th, 2007 09:21 pm (UTC), (Anonymous) commented: graphic passage? are you kidding me? people these days are ridiculous. it's either one extreme or another- suicide bombings are politically correct, but sexual abuse? of course not! i'm a seventeen year old, and "just listen" is one of my favorite books. don't let people like that get you down. |
On December 12th, 2007 11:08 pm (UTC), (Anonymous) commented: Oh, Geez. JUST LISTEN is incredibly inspirational. It's powerful and wonderfully written (Huffah! Cheers to you!). I don't understand why some people insist on reading everything their children read to make sure it's appropriate. Why don't they raise them right and trust them instead?? My mom is wonderful. We're best friends, and I'm thirteen years old. I respect others, am responsible, and do what's right. I read constantly. She doesn't read everything I do. She just trusts that I'm not going to read NICK AND NORAH'S INFINATE PLAYLIST and start cursing all the time. Furthermore, I don't think that she'd ban JUST LISTEN even if she read it. First of all, it brings up important issues. It's not like you wouldn't see a similar, true story in SEVENTEEN. (Unless these parents aren't letting their children subscribe to SEVENTEEN either, which wouldn't surprise me....) Besides, anyone who is going to get a bad message from JUST LISTEN probably wouldn't have even picked it up in the first place if these parents hadn't brought it up. JUST LISTEN could be salvation for someone in Annabel's position. And Owen is sa-woon worthy. You can't go wrong here! These board members should move on to something more important. I live in a pretty decent area, but last year, a kid got arrested for growing marijuana in his BEDROOM, and this year, another kid got arrested for smoking pot on the bus, in the seat behind the bus driver (...?). Both were in my grade. Now, call me crazy, but I think when you could be potentially saving the life of a student, banning books isn't important. This school board is obviously just trying to look productive. I think that encouraging even just one potential drop out to graduate high school and go on to college and make something out of their lives is more worth it than banning yet another book. So Sarah, don't fret. Anyone logical wouldn't think JUST LISTEN should be banned. You've written a story about a serious issue. Of course some idiot will challenge it. But just know that somewhere, some girl in the same position as Annabel will read it and get help, and that will make it worth it. -Haley, a Sarah Fan through and through! |
On December 13th, 2007 12:08 am (UTC), (Anonymous) commented: MSCL I just got the box set for Hannukah! I don't have the N, so this is my only way to join the cult! ALso - A challenged book is always a sign that something's going right |
On December 13th, 2007 01:46 am (UTC), (Anonymous) commented: THANK YOU SARAH!! Dear Sarah Dessen, I know you receive more letters and e-mails then you can ever read. But I am asking that you please take the time to read this one. My Name is Autumn. For my twelfth birthday I went to Chicago on vacation. My grandmother and I went into a bookstore. I was looking around there was one book that jumped out at me. It was someone like you. I spent the last bit of spending money I had on that book. For the next two days I spent my vacation reading your book. It captivated me and from that moment I was hooked. I am not 18 and in my freshman year of college and I have now read every one of your books. You are an amazing writer and your books have touched me in so many ways. I wanted to thank you for creating my love for literature! Every character is buried in my soul and I am truly thankful. Through every journey of my life, one of your books has been in hand. When I graduate from college I want to be a teacher, and trust me no child will be banned from reading your books!! Thank you! |
On December 13th, 2007 01:48 am (UTC), (Anonymous) commented: Hey. Hey Sarah! Whats going on? not much here. just thought I'd leave you a message. Well, currently i am reading This Lullaby, and let me tell you that i have been reading the book i have been looking for all my life. It is really great. and i can Really and Truly relate to Remy. My mother went through marriages just like Remy's mother had. Not as many, but i can really understand how she feels. If This Lullaby `ever went on to the big screen i would love to be Remy. (put a good word in for me) ha-ha Keep up the good work. Talk to ya later! XOXO Sammie lil_dakota_gurl@yahoo.com P.S. The School boards dont know what they are talking about. The librarian at my school even said she liked reading your books. We even have our own book case with many many copies of your books. |
On December 13th, 2007 03:53 am (UTC), (Anonymous) commented: Hillsborough County Please email me at Montolino@aol.com concerning your book Just Listen. I have spoken to the ACLU and I think a statement from you that I could send to the Superintendent and school board members might wake them up to common sense. You could describe why you wrote Just Listen, whether young girls have written you about the book, etc. What happened last night was an irate parent read a passage out of your book concerning a rape, and she wants the book taken out of all school libraries in our county. I have contacted the American Library Association and the Florida Library Association, and they say if action is taken they are willing to come out in support of your book. And ironically, if action is taken and they ban your book, it will probably cause an increase in sales. The Superintendent was vague in what she planned to do, but she acted like this is something she plans to handle and she implied she would contact the state and I feel she implied that she would work to get your book off some teen reading list for the state. Now the kicker: our Superintendent is a former Reading Resource teacher. Could you write up a defense of your book and how it has helped young girls, and send it to me to read at a future school board meeting? I am a school librarian, by the way. |
On December 13th, 2007 04:02 am (UTC), (Anonymous) commented: Hey, you should take it as a compliment that your book has been challenged---all the best books are! : ) |
the executive producer of "my so-called life" will have a new series called quarter life coming to NBC this spring. as of now, it's been written like a video blog of a twenty-something starting her first job. i believe this is the NPR page with the interview i first heard about this - as someone who was oblivious to "my so-called life" the first time around, i highly enjoyed the interview. :) just thought i would share in case you were interested. know how you love good TV! |