Published April 3, 2018__________
Awards: 2018 Booklist Editors' Choice Pick, 2019 Alex Award from the YALSA Adult Books for Young Adults Task Force
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For Mike Muñoz, a young Chicano living in Washington State, life has been a whole lot of waiting for something to happen. Not too many years out of high school and still doing menial work—and just fired from his latest gig as a lawn boy on a landscaping crew—he knows that he's got to be the one to shake things up if he's ever going to change his life. But how? In this funny, angry, touching, and ultimately deeply inspiring novel, bestselling author Jonathan Evison takes the reader into the heart and mind of a young man on a journey to discover himself, a search to find the secret to achieving the American dream of happiness and prosperity. That's the birthright for all Americans, isn't it? If so, then what is Mike Muñoz's problem? Though he tries time and again to get his foot on the first rung of that ladder to success, he can't seem to get a break. But then things start to change for Mike, and after a raucous, jarring, and challenging trip, he finds he can finally see the future and his place in it. And it's looking really good. Lawn Boy is an important, entertaining, and completely winning novel about social class distinctions, about overcoming cultural discrimination, and about standing up for oneself. (Source: goodreads)
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I read this one as it is a commonly banned book. I can see why parents are uncomfortable with this book, though I do not support it being banned. There are more than 100 F words and numerous references to the sucking of d*ck.
There were some really solid morals to this story and the levels in which the main character learned them were believable and well done. I do think it could have been done without the overabundance of cursing and d*ck references.
Let kids read within age appropriate guidelines, and have open discussions with them about the topics included. This is not one I'd recommend to my own kids, yet if they read it, we would have a lot to discuss.
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Why this book was banned:
Sexual activities including molestation. As mentioned above, mention of sucking body parts. Molestation I must have missed, unless they are considering two boys of the same age (4th grade) having a sexual experience together "molestation". I think that's "exploration". I'm not saying it's appropriate, but it's not to the level described.
Sexual nudity. There is discussion of body parts including nipples.
Racially charged commentary. There are Mexican characters, the main character and friends of the main character, who are treated with disdain and injustices. There are also negative comments made of gay people.
Profanity and derogatory terms. As stated above - a lot. Mostly the F word, more than 50 S word, lots of the A word, and common use of the term "d*ck". "F*g/F*ggot" are used frequently as well. There are other derogatory terms for body parts, and one use of the C word.
Alcohol and drug use. I think there was one reference to a side character smoking pot. Several references to alcohol.
