GJSHS book reviews » Nonfiction

Parental Advisory: Music Censorship in America by Eric Nuzum

Christina Brownell — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 13:59:50 +0000

Although it’s not on the cutting edge of the print medium, Parental Advisory: Music Censorship in America (published in 2001) is still a great read. I’m impressed with Eric Nuzum’s research and writing style. The general focus of the book concerns the history of music censorship in the United States, how the “Parental Advisory: Explicit Content” sticker came into being, and why the music industry caved into demands from outside groups such as the PRMC to start using such a sticker.

Unbeknownst to many, music censorship is nothing new: it’s been around for over a hundred years here in the USA. From early attempts in this century to limit the influence of African-American music on the white middle class, to our grandparents’ generation trying to eliminate rock and roll and its immoral tribal beats, there has always been an attempt to curtail what the general public is listening to. In recent years, the heat has been on groups such as Marilyn Manson, Madonna, and pretty much any rap group in general, but ironically, the same people who are pushing for censorship now listened to music that their parents objected to as well: musicians such as Chuck Berry, the Doors, and Elvis.

Please do yourself a favor and check out the book if you get a chance. It’s divided into chapters that focus on various censorship issues such as religion, sex, drugs, politics, etc… It’s a fairly fast read and although it doesn’t reveal any revolutionary ideas or newly released CIA documents, it does bring together some interesting information in a coherent and interest grabbing fashion.

Mr. Condon – English teacher

True Stories of D-Day by Henry Brook

Christina Brownell — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 13:54:36 +0000

June 6, 1944 the allies storm onto Normandy beach hoping to invade Europe. Canadians and British as well as the Americans try to take the beach of Normandy from the Germans. The beach is broken up into 5 sections: Utah and Omaha for the Americans, Gold and Sword for the British, and Juno for the Canadians. This epic battle was one of the most astonishing and fatal battles of World War Two and in U.S. history. It talks about the beach landings and of the paratroopers behind the front lines, as well as rangers that had been sent over night to creep over the cliffs and take out the enemy gunner emplacements. They faced machine gun fire, mortar fire, snipers, artillery and much, much more, as well as bad weather. This is a book of unforgettable journeys of brave young men. I rate this book a five out of five stars because of its epic journeys and brave men that astonished the world.

Chris K. – 8th grade

Electric Dreams by Caroline Kettlewell

Christina Brownell — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 18:56:17 +0000

The book says “Sometimes your students are the only ones crazy enough to believe in you.” I say “it was great to read about believing in students!” Anyone want to build a car?

Electric Dreams takes place in a poor rural North Carolina High School where beating all the odds, both a young and a veteran teacher, and a diverse group of students work to build an Electric car in about 6 months. The student’s go from “ ya, sure teach! Are you crazy” attitude to competing in the Electric Car Grand Prix. This is no model car, like my students are building, it’s a real, drive yourself to school kind of car! You guys want to move up in size!

Mrs. LeTellier – Science Teacher

True Stories of the Second World War by Paul Dowswell

Christina Brownell — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 18:52:54 +0000

If you like books about the past war and true stories, this is the book for you. The book tells about many true and interesting true stories about World War Two from many different sides. There are stories told by the Americans, Germans, The Soviet Union, the French and British armies. There are stories about secret war weapons, astonishing women war pilots, battles fought on top and bottom of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, also the German U-boats that were terrorizing the Gulf of Mexico, and duels between lone snipers. I would rate this book four out of five stars because of its amazing true stories that just want to keep you reading. I hope that you read this book because it is amazing.

Chris K.- 8th grade