Places I Never Meant To Be: Original Stories by Censored Writers [Paperback]

Judy Blume (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2001

"What effect does [the climate of censorship] have on a writer?....It's chilling.

It's easy to become discouraged, to second-guess everything you write. There seemed to be no one to stand up to the censors....so I began to speak out about my experiences. And once I did, I found that I wasn't as alone as I'd thought."

-- from Judy Blume's introduction to Places I Never Meant to Be

Judy Blume is not alone: Many of today's most distinguished authors of books for young people have found their work censored or challenged. Eleven of them have contributed original stories to this collection. Along with a story written by the late Norma Klein when she was a student at Barnard College, they comprise a stunning literary achievement as well as a battle cry against censorship.

Contributors

David Klass

Norma Klein

Julius Lester

Chris Lynch

Harry Mazer

Norma Fox Mazer

Walter Dean Myers

Katherine Paterson

Susan Beth Pfeffer

Rachel Vail

Jacqueline Woodson

Paul Zindel

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In this provocative collection, Judy Blume, the censors' favorite target, assembles an all-star cast of young adult writers who have themselves felt the pain of censorship. Each contributes an original short story and some highly quotable observations on their own experiences and feelings when under attack. "Where once I went to my writing without a backward glance," writes Norma Fox Mazer, "now I sometimes have to consciously clear my mind of those shadowy censorious presences." The entries range from Jacqueline Woodson's ironic story of a neighborhood's casual acceptance of arson, to Harry Mazer's touching tale of a tough kid redeemed by a little boy's adoration. Two stories are especially intriguing to connoisseurs of teen fiction: Chris Lynch's "Lie, No Lie"--a selection that appears not to have made the cut for his novel Whitechurch--in which Pauly sets his friend up for embarrassment in a gay bath house; and the late Norma Klein's "Something Which Is Non-Existent," a previously unpublished story written in 1959 when this much-censored author was in college. Other stories by Katherine Paterson, Rachel Vail, Julius Lester, Walter Dean Myers, Susan Beth Pfeffer, Paul Zindel, Norma Fox Mazer, and David Klass contribute to this showcase of stellar talent. (Ages 11 to 16) --Patty Campbell --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Blume introduces 12 stories by distinguished yet sometimes censored writers, including Julius Lester, Katherine Paterson and Walter Dean Myers. Ages 12-up. (June)n

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse (June 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689842589
• ISBN-13: 978-0689842580
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #277,924 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From a "grown up" point of view, June 2, 2001

By 

S. Budiansky (Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Places I Never Meant To Be: Original Stories by Censored Writers (Hardcover)

I am 26 years old, but I love kids books still and an old favorite is Judy Blume. I have read every word that she has ever printed that I can get my hands on. So when I came across this book, I bought it immediately, especially when I saw names like Norma Klein, another favorite of mine, Julius Lester, a professor of mine at the University of Massachusetts, Walter Dean Myers, Katherine Paterson and others that I used to love to read. All of these stories are engaging and thought provoking and I really believe any lover of fiction, who believes in educating children and not sheltering them, should read this book.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Startling Wakeup Call, August 3, 2000

By 

"rookie2k" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Places I Never Meant To Be: Original Stories by Censored Writers (Hardcover)

Censorship has been plaguing our society for years. I haven't been ignorant to it, but some of the issues that the authors of the stories in this book discussed hit very close to home with me. They help reinforce that censorship can be a very ugly thing that, in some cases, is a worse fate than silencing an author altogether, for it often attacks their judgment and self-esteem. A wonderful read, it's also important to note that all royalties produced from the sale of this book go straight to the National Coalition Against Censorship.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, June 13, 2002

By 

John Gallagher (Amesbury, Ma. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Places I Never Meant To Be: Original Stories by Censored Writers (Paperback)

I could not put this book down! This kept me up and reading threw the night. Within this book, authors tell their stories, of why there book was banned, what their thoughts were, and it makes you ask yourself, "Was it necessary for this book to have been banned"? Authors like Judy Blume, David Klass, and Norma Klein all join together to express their feelings in the fight against National Censorship. These authors are all apart of the National Coalition Against Censorship. In this book, it gives you a brief summary of their thoughts and experiences with censorship. Then there is a chapter or two, on one of their own books. It really opens your eyes to the world of censorship.