Customer Reviews

The Year They Burned the Books

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When I first read some reviews of this book, I thought maybe Garden had taken on too many subjects for one novel. Reading it, however, I started to think that its themes are unified and that it is showing a whole system of the ways people are silenced by oppressive groups. The closet takes many forms, and the kids' inability to speak about who they are - for fear of being physically hurt - is mirrored in the censoring of information about sex and the censoring of commentary about the censorship itself. The novel is thought-provoking about social issues as well as moving in its portrayal of individuals finding their voices. If I'm picky, I could say that some of the dialogue sounded too written to me, and I really dislike the book's cover. But I read it in a few hours, and I feel richer for it. I am going to use it in my YA Literature class.

Could there be anything else in this book? Censorship, homophobia, the religious right, sexuality, suicide--I can't think of a book that attempts to tackle so many issues at once. Not that Garden doesn't handle all of the issues well. I am particularly impressed with how she works in a minor physical altercation--a level of homophobia not seen in her earlier novels, and, I suspect, a reaction to the homocide of Matthew Shepard the same year. This novel raises many questions and is a must read for gay and straight teenagers.

THE YEAR THEY BURNED THE BOOKS is another wonderful novel by Nancy Garden. It is somewhat different than Annie on My Mind and Good Moon Rising in that the main focus isn't on a relationship, but instead is about what happens when a group of conservatives try to censor the school health curriculum, as well as the newspaper. It is another coming out story, and the wonderfully portrayed characters provide a vivid and realistic picture of what it is like to be young and gay, and to have to fight for what you believe in. Anyone concerned with issues of censorship should definitely read this book, whatever side of the issue they are on. It is eye-opening, and heart-opening.

"The Year They Burned the Books" was one of the most realistic and eye-opening books I have ever read. Jamie, the main character in Ms. Garden's wonderful novel, struggles with the how, when and if of coming out of the closet. At the same time, the school board is voting to re-evaluate the school's sex-ed material, stressing abstience and showing pre-marital sex and homosexuality as being immoral and anti-God. Jamie is the editor-in-chief of her school's newspaper, and through the paper, she fights with her first amendmet right to make her point heard in the midst of all the chaos and divided opinions. This is an excellent book, showing how the differences in people's thoughts on morality can split them apart.

Book burning and censorship are things that should be addressed more often in schools. It is sad that only a few volumes are in print that zero in on the topic. "The Year They Burned the Books" is one of the best. I only wish the author had done more to develop the antagonists. As vile as Nancy Garden painted them, the reality of people like that is much worse. Our young people are mature enough to know that not all adults will defend their rights to think and read. Any child who has searched a school library in vain for a book they really needed to read knows this. Even in major cities like New York, even in enlightened schools, libraries do not stock books on their shelves that address every student's need. The solution that the young people in this book created for themselves should be an inspiration for students in every school. This is one book which should be available for any student who wants to stand up for his or her right to have ideas.

Author Nancy Garden has received critical acclaim for her work, including the American Library Association's Margaret A. Edwards Award for her lifetime contribution in writing for young adults.

Garden is no stranger to the issues presented in this book. First, she understands what is to be gay youth. Secondly, she knows what it is to be the target of censorship. Her book _Annie on my Mind_ was burned on the steps of the Kansas City School Board building (1993) and removed from the shelves in Olathe, Kansas.

Although printed 6 years ago, it feels as though it were ripped from today's headlines. Homophobia is rampant and using hatred and/or fear of homosexuals is perfectly acceptable in today's political climate. Recently an Alabama state legislator introduced a bill to bar the use of state funds "for the purchase of textbooks or library materials that sanction, recognize, foster, or promote homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle." The bill would also remove items already in libraries and prohibit theatrical productions at state-funded institutions of such classics as Tennessee Williams's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof or the appearance of classroom speakers who discuss homosexuality as an alternative lifestyle.

In today's political climate I recommend everyone read _The Year they Burned Books_ for a look at the affects of censorship. It's an easy, yet thought provoking read. This is one fictional story that is relevant today.

Jamie is a high school student in a small New England town, and she is the editor of her high school's newspaper. She thinks she may be gay. One of her best friends, Terry, thinks that he may be gay also. They don't want to tell anyone else, though, for fear of being targeted more by bullies in their class.

The school year starts with controversy--the nurse's office has implemented a program to distribute condoms to students who go to the nurse's office for them once a week. Jamie writes an editorial for the paper in support of the condom distribution, and the school paper and its advisor are attacked for it.

Then things go really downhill. A woman with a hidden agenda is elected to the school board, on the campaign promise that she will help people in this community return to values and morals. When she is elected to the school board, she starts a very conservative religion-based group. Their mission is to remove from the school's curriculum any mention of anything except abstinence as a method of birth control. She argues that the schools should be teaching that sex before marriage is morally wrong. This woman also wants removed from all libraries and all curricula any mention of homosexuality, especially if it is presented as simply an alternative lifestyle, instead of something evil and wrong.

Jamie's life is in turmoil. She feels as though she can't admit she is gay when the environment in her town has turned to violently against homosexuality. She feels bad for her friend Terry, who is trying to have a relationship with another student, Ernie, who is desperately trying to repress the fact that he is gay, for fear of what will happen when people find out. Jamie is attracted to a new girl at school, but can't figure out if this girl is gay or not. To make matters worse, Jamie's old best friend, Nomi, is a member of a church group that states without exception that homosexuality is wrong. Jamie is stuck in the middle of the controversy. Will she stay true to herself?

This was a really compelling story of what it is like to be gay in high school these days. I liked that the main characters, despite all of the stuff going on around them, were strong and at peace with themselves and their sexuality. The story was complex and didn't really have easy solutions, which is realistic for these issues today.

I literally just finished reading this book,and i thought it was amazing.As a teenager in a small town, I could relate to the characters,especially Jamie. This book was so interesting I couldn't even put it down!I recommend this book to absolutley anyone, and especially to teenagers.It's by far my favorite book ever!

Good book on the startling nature of homophobia, especially for younger readers (grades 8-11)

This was a very controversial book. My teacher lent it to me because I was doing a project on censorship and this book was about censorship. I have read other books by Garden, and this one definitely lived up to my standards. I think that Jamie had tremendous courage to do everything that she did, and she could be used as a role model for many people. For people who want to know what the book was about, I'll tell you. When Jamie wrote an editorial on condoms for her school newspaper, it started off a chain of controversial events. The woman running for the board of education was against everything Jamie stood for. This book was very good. I think that people should read it because it might help them see the other side of things.