Children's Novel On New York Attack Causes Stir
Parent Wants 'Hijacking Of Manhattan' Pulled From Library
POSTED: 4:04 p.m. EDT September 25, 2001
JACKSONVILLE -- It's a book that's been sold to some grade school students for years, but the title -- "Maximum Boy and the Hijacking of Manhattan" -- and some striking similarities to the attack on New York have some parents wanting the book removed from libraries and book club lists.
"It evokes emotion in people and we're very emotional right now," Lone Star's Elementary School principal Marilyn Myrick said.
Myrick said that one parent complained about the book, which features a boy with super powers who saves the day after an evil doctor tows the island out to sea.
It's obviously a work of fiction published several months ago, but the landmark World Trade Center towers are on the cover and the book's title is eerily similar to real-world events.
Despite this story's happy ending, some parents still believe that it is inappropriate. But others told Channel 4's Dan Evans that as long as they're sitting down and reading with their child, it can actually be therapeutic.
"We'd be there with children, explaining it to them as we went," parent Jerry Catone said. "In a way, it could be an aid to the parent in showing the kids what's going on."
Educators at Lone Star said they wish every parent would take the time to sit down and be aware of what their children are reading, no matter what title they're flipping through.
Myrick said that she plans to tell parents about the book, and counsel them to look at the book before they allow their children to read it.
The Jacksonville Public Library also has the book in its catalog. They've received one complaint, but no one filed the necessary papers to have it pulled from the shelves.
Copyright 2003 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
"It evokes emotion in people and we're very emotional right now," Lone Star's Elementary School principal Marilyn Myrick said.
Myrick said that one parent complained about the book, which features a boy with super powers who saves the day after an evil doctor tows the island out to sea.
It's obviously a work of fiction published several months ago, but the landmark World Trade Center towers are on the cover and the book's title is eerily similar to real-world events.
Despite this story's happy ending, some parents still believe that it is inappropriate. But others told Channel 4's Dan Evans that as long as they're sitting down and reading with their child, it can actually be therapeutic.
"We'd be there with children, explaining it to them as we went," parent Jerry Catone said. "In a way, it could be an aid to the parent in showing the kids what's going on."
Educators at Lone Star said they wish every parent would take the time to sit down and be aware of what their children are reading, no matter what title they're flipping through.
Myrick said that she plans to tell parents about the book, and counsel them to look at the book before they allow their children to read it.
The Jacksonville Public Library also has the book in its catalog. They've received one complaint, but no one filed the necessary papers to have it pulled from the shelves. Copyright 2003 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
