Herald on Sunday - By Lynley Bilby
Sunday June 30, 2013
Helen Le Heron (left) and Anne Cooper in their Hamilton bookstore. Photo / Stephen Barker
Ted Dawe's Into the River has polarised the literary community after claiming top prize in the annual New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards. At least one well-regarded book store is refusing to stock it.
The author makes no apology for the racy content, saying the story needs to be told, even if it risks upsetting parents and booksellers.
In a rare move, award organisers last week sent "explicit content" stickers to all booksellers to warn potential buyers.
The 2013 Kiwi Kids' Good Book Guide lists the book's target age as 13 years and over. But one nationwide book chain has advised store managers the book is suitable only for children over 15 years.
The book uses expletives including the c-word, depicts drug use and sex scenes, including one where a baby mimics sounds of intercourse. The Herald on Sunday has decided not to print extracts as they would offend some readers.
Full article (including book excerpt)
2 comments:
It won't be anything that kids today will have seen lots of times on their computers.
In response to Geoff's comment.
I have three daughters (15, 11, 6) and while they have access to the internet they are responsible with it, and it is definitely NOT something my kids have seen 'lots of times'
I would hope parents (like myself) are responsible enough to somewhat screen (you have to allow for some freedoms) what their kids watch, read, and Google!
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