AUTHOR: Katherine Paterson
ISBN: 0064401847
Plot Summary: Jess Aarons, feeling neglected and misunderstood in his large, poor family, is befriended by Leslie, a new neighbor. Leslie encourages his drawing (which is ridiculed by everyone, including his teachers), and they create an imaginary, magical land in the woods near a creek. One day, Jess returns home to find that Leslie has been killed in an accident. The rest of the book tells how Jess deals with his loss.
Complaints: Occult/Satanism, violence.
Challenged in the Gettysburg, Pennsylvania public schools.
Solonor Says Ban It Because:When are you people going to learn that imagination and creativity are not the answers to life's problems? Besides, we don't want our kids to see this pain and suffering.
Links
Connecticut Residents Seek to Ban Two Newbery Medal Winners