Banned Books #11 What My Mother Doesn’t Know by Sonya Sones with Chrissi Reads‏

bannedbooks

What’s it all about?:

My name is Sophie.
This book is about me.
It tells
the heart-stoppingly riveting story
of my first love.
And also of my second.
And, okay, my third love, too.

It’s not that I’m boy crazy.
It’s just that even though
I’m almost fifteen
it’s like
my mind
and my body
and my heart
just don’t seem to be able to agree
on anything.

Logo designed by Luna’s Little Library

Welcome to our fifth book of 2015 and the eleventh book in our series of Banned/Challenged Books. We’ll be looking at why the book was challenged, how/if things have changed since the book was originally published and our own opinions on the book. This is what we’ll be reading for the rest of 2015 – the post will go out on the last Monday of each month so if you’d like to read along with us, you are more than welcome.

JUNE

Bridge To Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Chosen by : Beth

JULY

Detour for Emmy by Marilyn Reynolds

Chosen by : Chrissi

AUGUST

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

Chosen by : Beth

SEPTEMBER

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Chosen by: Chrissi

OCTOBER

Forever by Judy Blume

Chosen by : Beth

NOVEMBER

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

Chosen by : Chrissi

DECEMBER

Olive’s Ocean by Kevin Henkes

Chosen by: Beth

But back to this month….

What My Mother Doesn’t Know by Sonya Somes

First published: 2001In the Top Ten most frequently challenged books in 2011Chosen by: ChrissiReasons: nudity; offensive language; sexually explicit

Do you understand or agree with any of the reasons for the book being challenged when it was originally published?

BETH: Okay so we are on to our eleventh of the Banned Books in our series and this is one of the books where I really cannot understand why on earth it was challenged/banned. To me, it was very inoffensive and captured the teenage girl struggling with her raging emotions perfectly. Looking at the reasons for why it was banned I still don’t have a clue. I can’t recall any instance of nudity (perhaps there was but it was so mild I glossed over it) and don’t feel it was sexually explicit in the slightest.

CHRISSI: Not one tiny bit. It is ridiculous that this book has been challenged/banned. I was expecting to find something really offensive, but I certainly don’t think there was anything. There was a little bit of cheeky teenage behavior but it was so mild that it barely even registered! So no!

How about now?

BETH: This book was published fairly recently (2001) and I don’t think things have changed drastically since then so again, no I don’t see any reasons for it being challenged. Sophie is a typical teenager whose feelings are all over the place now she has discovered the wonder of boys. Trying to understand and work through those feelings I think is very important for teenagers today and I think this book speaks to them on a level they understand and can work with. Perhaps it is aimed more towards the female of the species and goes into quite a lot of detail about kissing but it’s a beautiful and unique take on first love.

CHRISSI: Not at all. It should be definitely promoted to teens in my eyes, because I think it’s a beautiful look at love from a teenager’s point of view. It was so easy to read and I think even those that aren’t keen on reading would get something from this book, and that’s totally what it should be promoting!

What did you think of this book?

BETH: I was surprised about how much I enjoyed this book actually. It’s presented in verse, which we also saw in Banned Book #9 Crank by Ellen Hopkins. I’m not sure exactly why, but I preferred this books style of writing compared to Crank which felt a bit disjointed at times. It sent me right back to being a teenager and how it felt when I thought I was in love. The author has captured the teenage voice amazingly and I think it will speak to many kids today.

CHRISSI: When Beth told me that this book was in verse, I have to admit, I was a little worried. I didn’t enjoy Crank which was in verse too, as much as I wanted to. However, this book had a totally different vibe to it and I very much enjoyed reading it. I flew through it in one sitting. I agree with Beth that the teenage voice has been captured wonderfully. This book is a perfect read for teenagers in love!

Would you recommend it?

BETH: But of course!

CHRISSI: Of course!

Beth’s personal star rating (out of 5):