NotAcceptable

McGraw is trying, now!!! The only thing unsettling about this book is the rampant racism and terrible diction. I don‘t know how much more of this I can take.
#EloiseMcGraw #TheMoorchild #NotAcceptable

TheBookHippie “ The story is saturated with the atmosphere of the Middle Ages in the British Isles, with fascinating details of setting. Rich characters, well-paced action, and themes of belonging, societal prejudice against outsiders, empathy and self-sacrificial love, all bring a poignant depth to the storytelling. The one piece which does not stand up well to time is the denigrating stereotype of gypsies. “ That‘s the review I found it! 4y

Bookwomble The Westminster government in the UK is trying to bring in a policing bill which, as well as making protests which cause "significant annoyance" subject to a 10 year jail sentence (rape gets a 5 year sentence), will also make the lifestyle of gypsies, Romanies and travellers basically illegal. Prejudice and discrimination still a significant issue here. 4y

GingerAntics @Bookwomble wow, protesting so that it annoys people (sort of the point, to make people pay attention) is a greater crime than rape. Wow. Just wow. Never mind that “significant annoyance” is totally subjective and law based on someone‘s feelings is ridiculous. So basically, you‘re no longer going to live in a modern, free society. 4y

Bookwomble @GingerAntics There is resistance from sections of Parliament, organisations & at grass roots. My profession has 2 main membership bodies: the biggest says it will strike off those arrested in any protest, the other (of which, thankfully, I am a member) OKs peaceful protest & says it will support those so arrested. Really, there should be no issue about protesting in a democracy, but the last few years have been weird both on sides of the Atlantic 4y

GingerAntics @Bookwomble it sure has. Hopefully that doesn‘t become law at all. 4y

10 likes5 comments

GingerAntics

The Moorchild | Eloise McGraw

This is the description of Saaski, and all the moor folk, actually. This is the description of otherness, depicted as wrong in this book. How is this okay? I get that this book was written in 96, but surely this wasn‘t okay in 96. I get why this was never in my school‘s library.
#EloiseMcGraw #TheMoorchild #NotAcceptable #racism #prejudice #bigotry

TheBookHippie It was- it‘s why they pulled it. However the story resonated with children who didn‘t feel they belonged anywhere so much we kept copies. I think the author got asked why the description I wish I could remember 😬 I didn‘t catch it until the 2000s 🤦🏽‍♀️also interesting hearing why the kids like the book it‘s very real to them. They keep it with them. (edited) 4y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie there better be some real redemption at the end, because right now, I get why my school didn‘t have this book. We weren‘t allowed to have modern books that depicted unchecked prejudice like this. Mark Twain was a teaching moment (as it should be), but this never would have flown. 4y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics it‘s interesting hearing kids discuss it -they absolutely love the read. It‘s a real not a fake story. I get the same reaction to books on bullies, they like Blubber-also banned- because it‘s real. No happy ending. I‘m not sure if it‘s because life is actually never ending issues and they want to read that, or they feel seen. Great discussion book. 4y

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GingerAntics @TheBookHippie I wouldn‘t give this to kids without it being a discussion book. The fact the parents allow the bullying and then blame Saaski for it, the rampant racial undertones... this has to be a discussion piece. This town, including her parents, best get its comeuppance at the end. I just don‘t see any other way for this story to be redeemed at this point. 4y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics One girl I mentored still has this book from 1998 ish? when we read it she says it makes her see it is. She liked the real, I don‘t ever read books without as a group so it‘s a different experience but this one has been a legendary favorite. They do however hate Tom Sawyer! 4y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics I‘ll look for the crazy bully book we were supposed to read for curriculum -I‘d love your input- the kids were so mad they hated it. It was sugary sweet in my opinion in the ending. I think maybe this book is real to them. They don‘t feel alone. (edited) 4y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie Twain is REALLY slow paced. I constantly just want to tell him to get bloody well on with it already. 4y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I can‘t do Twain either we struggle through Huck Finn every year with massive Oreos 🤣✊🏼 4y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie I grew up watching Tom and Huck, and other movies based on those two books. I was quite disappointed when I tried reading the books. 4y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics trust me hauling out the movies occurs to me every year🤣😬 4y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie sorry (not sorry) Twain, the movies are way better. I just got to the part where Saaski gets kicked and mobbed. At least she didn‘t get in trouble for getting hurt by other kids. 4y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics I have an actual curriculum thing for the book -questions, food and discussion points I found in an old read it eat it Bookclub book!! I‘ll take pictures and post it! 4y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie mine has discussion questions in the back. The food sounds interesting. 4y

8 likes13 comments

GingerAntics

The Moorchild | Eloise McGraw

Wow. No words. (Quite pleased my phone struggles with the word “gypsy.” I sure hope I‘m not teaching it that word by discussing this book.)
#EloiseMcGraw #TheMoorchild #NotAcceptable

GingerAntics And gypsies are “all thieving rascals.” Sweet sanity. 4y

Exbrarian I'm often surprised at how many people don't know that Gypsy is a slur. I certainly didn't know in the 90's. 4y

GingerAntics @Exbrarian true, that word was common enough then. Maybe not really common, but no one batted an eyelash at it. 4y

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Exbrarian Oh, I had an actual problem with a large family of them coming to the record store I worked at specifically with the intent to steal. I caught them in the act on 3 occasions. We only had 3 employees and they would engage every employee while the rest of them stole. It was infuriating. They were never charged with anything, but I lost my job for fighting with them. I'm still not fond of that group, but I won't hold an entire people accountable. 4y

Exbrarian Additionally, there are several restaurants in the south that have Gypsy in the name. Few consider it a slur. 4y

GingerAntics @Exbrarian the south is interesting in regard to slurs. They love their confederate monuments. They lost, but apparently those are the only acceptable participation trophies. 4y

6 likes6 comments

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