Writings of Tamora Pierce
February 18th, 2007The concept of censoring the reading material of one’s middle schooler rarely seems to move beyond trashing Harry Potter in many circles. This is a problem. Parents ought to be aware of what their children are reading and be prepared to discuss it with them.
If I were a parent, I would probably allow my children to read Harry Potter. I would not allow them to read some of Philip Pullman’s books. I haven’t decided what I would do about Tamora Pierce.
I have read 12 of her novels, all of which are set in the same fantasy world. (The “Protector of the Small” series was particularly enjoyable.) In each of the quartets of novels, the heroine makes a different choice when it comes to marriage. One sleeps with several men before marrying. Another is afraid of committment and chooses to settle down with her guy without marrying him. A third decides to put such decisions off indefinitely. This pattern of strong women making decisions regardless of moral implications only dawned on me slowly. Why the pattern? I also noticed a dedication to a couple of women who were “strong businesswomen long before women’s liberation.” Finally, I found a page at the back of one of the books advertising Pierce’s website and a website dedicated to female heroes in the real world. Did Tamora Pierce have some type of feminist agenda here?
I was disturbed by other elements as well. For example, there was a scene where one of the young women defended herself from a creature who was prepared to rape her. I thought it was a rather powerful (though short) scene. I think the purpose of the scene may be to show the unfairness of the creative work of the gods in the story. But was that really necessary? Why mention the word “rape” at all in a book aimed at twelve-year-olds? I was ready to conclude that Tamora Pierce wrote with an agenda and that I did not like that agenda. But before ruthlessly turning my vast readership against her, I went to her website, particularly this part.
I thought Tamora Pierce had some good things to say. She is writing with an agenda, but what she describes of it is something I can understand. She wants to portray certain aspects of medieval history (as she sees it…I do not know enough history to agree or disagree with some of her statements) and stand against violence.
So, now what? I will probably read more of her books someday. I am unlikely to discourage any middle school student from reading them. It is likely to be awhile before I am forced to make any decision regarding the reading material of any child of mine. I will encourage parents to look at what their kids are reading, particularly if the parent tells me Harry Potter is evil…
There is a link on Tamora Pierce’s site to an interview with her, Phillip Pullman, and Christopher Paolini (Eragaon). It is fascinating if you are interested in writing.
I am interested in your comments on the fact that the word “rape” appeared in children’s bibles back in the 1600’s.
That reminds me of Esther…the NIV has Xerxes using the word “molest” in chapter 7. When I read the Spanish version the other day the verb used was “violar”- to rape.
I guess that the Bible is the least offensive place for such a word to appear in a children’s book. The chances are good that the parents will deal with this rather than, say, the Sunday School teacher.
I’m not sure I’d want a four-year-old of mine dealing with the concept of rape? Is the mind of a four-year-old ready to handle such an idea?
At the very least I would want them to know what “be fruitful and multiply” and “Adam lay with his wife Eve” meant before embarking on such a discussion. In watered-down format, of course.
Now it’s my turn to want to hear your response…
Why did you change from discussing twelve-year-olds to four-year-olds?