Hello Readers

4/6/2012

Finally, an interactive blog!
Let me know what you're reading, what writing projects you're working on, what you're thinking. I'll do the same for you. Right now I'm reading Memories, Dreams, Reflections, by C. G. Jung, and Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. More about what I'm writing/thinking next time.

40 Comments

Amber

4/16/2012 01:02:23 am

Can you please, make a sequel to "But What About Me?" PLEASE!!!

Marilyn Reynolds link

4/16/2012 03:32:39 pm

I sometimes think about Erica, and wonder what might be going on in her life these days. But I have other writing projects that I'm working on and the likelihood of a sequel to "But What About Me" is slim. How do YOU think things went for Erica after she got to UCDavis?

Taylor

4/16/2012 07:55:26 am

I am doing a research paper for school about why your book Detour For Emmy was banned/challenged by some schools and libraries. I am not having much luck with finding information and i was wondering if you could help me with it and explain what the people had a problem with. It would be greatly appreciated. thanks :)

4/21/2012 08:24:38 am

Hi Taylor,

I'm back. Regarding attempts to ban "Detour for Emmy," or any books for that matter, I think parents and guardians have a right to guide the reading of their underage children according to their own family values. I don't think that right extends to all of the underage readers in a school or library population. To say that no one can have access to the book is a violation of readers' constitutional rights and is, in my opinion, unAmerican. I've written about this at length in my book "I Won't Read and You Can't Make Me: Reaching Reluctant Teen Readers." Your school or public librarian may be able to help you find that title.

Marilyn Reynolds link

3/9/2015 01:32:15 am

In answer to your request for information regarding "Detour for Emmy" challenges, I've copied an essay I wrote in that regard after one of the most heated challenges. That should help:

The Sin of Censorship, By Marilyn Reynolds

When my teen pregnancy novel, Detour for Emmy, turned up on the Top Ten Banned Books List for 2005, I whooped for joy. There it was, sandwiched between Chris Crutcher’s Whale Talk, and Sonya Sones’ What My Mother Doesn’t Know, on a list that also included books by J. D. Salinger, Judy Blume, and Robert Cormier. What great company I keep!
I rushed upstairs to share the news with my husband, Mike, then sent the equivalent of a cackling email to friends and family. Mike opened a better bottle of wine than our usual Two Buck Chuck, and we toasted my newfound fame.
I envisioned my book featured prominently in displays in libraries and bookstores across the nation during “Banned Books Week” in September. If every bookstore in all fifty states buys one copy for display, will I finally be able to upgrade my aged Volvo?
I visited the American Library Association’s Banned Books website and saw the 2004 banned books bracelet that featured the covers of the top six books for that year. Cool! If ALA keeps the bracelet idea, I can walk around with Emmy on my wrist and show off to cashiers at the supermarket, and to manicurists at the mall.

In spite of my advanced years, wisdom is not always the controlling factor in my first response to whatever comes along, so it was not until I awakened with my customary three A.M. ruminations that my better self pushed to the surface, dog paddling frantically through waves of pride, and greed, straining for a glimpse of the broader picture.
In the early morning darkness, curled close against Mike, lulled by the soft, steady snore of the schnauzer on the chaise, I think about the total list. What’s the deal with the morality police, anyway? At a time when we’re bombarded daily with reports of violence in the schools and on the streets, they’ve only attacked one book for violence, and that book is Captain Underpants, for the five to twelve-year old audience. The other nine books, Emmy included, made the list because of sexual content and/or offensive language. American children are sixteen times more likely than children in other industrialized nations to be murdered with a gun, and the book banners’ greatest fears are for sex and bad words?
The more I think about it, the angrier I get. Where do these limited, small-minded, ignorant, people get off, trying to keep books out of the hands of intellectually curious readers?
Afraid that the intensity of my anger might somehow be transmitted, body-to-body, I move away from my peacefully sleeping husband. Then my ruminations take a turn. Why am I the one awakened every morning around three by the spirit of the Grand Goddess of the Harmonic Universe always demanding that I consider carefully all disharmony in my life and in the world? Why can’t I be like Mike, or the dog, and sleep soundly through the whole night?
I glance at the clock. It is 3:43. In the past twelve hours or so I’ve committed four of the seven deadly sins: pride, greed, anger and envy. I wonder if I can get to the remaining three before daylight?
With a bit more prodding from my better self, I realize that I’ve fallen into the same trap as the would-be censors. In questioning how they can ban so much sex and so little violence, I’m putting my values above theirs. I could write a lengthy treatise on why my values are better for the world and everyone in it, but that’s not the point. Noam Chomsky said it best when he said, “If we don’t believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don’t believe in it at all.” It turns out, I do believe in freedom of expression, and that includes the expression of those who would ban books in general, and mine in particular.
Sin or not, I am proud of Detour for Emmy. Readers indicate that they connect with Emmy’s story in ways that offer insight and perspective on their own lives. They write:
“ . . . I just wanted to let you know that your books have led me into the world of reading. I started with Detour for Emmy, and now I’ve read all of your books . . . “

“ . . . This book encourages me to not get pregnant at a young age because when I pretend I’m Emmy I realize . . .she had to change her plan and goals of life. I wouldn’t want that to happen to me . . .”

“ . . . your book has inspired me to keep my legs closed.”

“ . . . I’m a sixteen-year old mother and Emmy’s story helped me realize I can make a good life for me and my baby. Thank you.”

My hope is that every censorship attempt produces results similar to those in a grandmother’s attempt to ban Detour for Emmy from a middle school in Granb

6/24/2018 02:56:08 pm

I enjoyed reading your books! I especially loved the erotica part. ;-) As a member of the LGBTQIA community, I believe in honesty and free speech. I started reading 'Places I never Meant to Be', edited by Judy Blume. That has some great information about the National Coalition Against Censorship.

Marilyn Reynolds link

4/16/2012 03:35:32 pm

Hi Taylor,

The very short version is that some of those who complained thought there was too much sex in the book and also that the story glorified teen pregnancy and dysfunctional families. I'm very short on time right now, but can send you a more complete answer sometime over the weekend. Okay?

Denesha

4/18/2012 09:41:05 pm

I was wondering.. In "Shut Up!" I noticed that he never got a chance to talk to jenna about there relationship.... Why did it end the way it did ? what was your train of thought on that ?

Marilyn Reynolds link

4/21/2012 08:34:37 am

Mario realized that Jenna was more interested in high school social life than she was in him. He'd done the right thing in taking care of things with Eddie and if she couldn't understand that, well maybe she wasn''t that much of a loss.

landrie pierce

4/19/2012 05:16:24 am

i love you we should hook up

landrie pierce

4/19/2012 05:30:35 am

i meant to say i love your books and the hook up i meant to say hook up i wanted to tlk to you about my relationship

Marilyn Reynolds link

4/21/2012 08:36:26 am

Thanks for the clarification. I'm glad you've connected with my books.

bibi pinales

5/11/2012 04:10:10 am

"Detour for Emmy"
This book touch me is a sad/happy story and also a challenge for poor emmy but I love the book what inspired you to write the book? Is there goibg to be a second book for dentour for emmy that you plan to write?????????

Marilyn Reynolds link

5/11/2012 05:07:02 am

I was inspired to write this book because I often had pregnant teens in my English classes at an alternative high school and I couldn't find books that dealt with teen pregnancy in a realistic way. There won't be a sequel to "Detour for Emmy," but she is a character in "Love Rules."

Empress

5/22/2012 11:39:46 am

Is Emmy Morrison a real person or a made up person? I totally fell inlove with this book. Also the characters in "if you loved me" novel?

Empress

5/22/2012 11:40:10 am

Hello Marilyn Reynolds.
I think I'm seriously your biggest fan. I really do love your books. You truly inspire me. I didn't really like to read books, last time I liked reading books was in 6th grade, I am a senior, almost graduating.. My teacher introduced us to your book "detour for emmy". I fell inlove with it. I even did a project about the book in my english class, and also daily summary reports for my english class as well. I can relate to the characters feelings. Once I was done reading detour for emmy, which it made me cry a bit, I read all your books that was available in my school. After detour for emmy, I read Baby help, No more sad good bye, Too soon for Jeff, beyond dreams, If you loved me (my 2nd favorite book), literally cried while reading it and currently reading Love Rules. And still searching for more books from you. I wish you still wrote books because I am really interested in reading your books. Most of your books has a certain limited amount of pages, 200-something, and I can finish it literally in ONE DAY. You really inspired me. You are the best author.

If you reply, that would be great. I hope you're reading this.
Always, your inspired fan,
Empress

Empress

5/23/2012 10:47:34 am

I am so glad that you replied. I do hope this is the REAL Marilyn Reynolds. You are definitely my favorite author. I actually have read all your books already. Literally, all of it. I just got finished with Love Rules yesterday and noticed the character Emmy. I was just wondering, is Emmy a real person? Like I know how theres a picture of her in the cover, but I always wanted to know if that was her real name, and what age would she be now? Do you still keep intouch with students that inspired you to write it?
You're the best. Literally. I love how your books makes me have to PAUSE FOR A MINUTE OR TWO, just to cry about the chapter and relate it to my life.
Your biggest fan,
Empress

Marilyn Reynolds link

5/25/2012 10:09:41 am

Yes, this is the real Marilyn Reynolds. Emmy is a made-up character, though in some ways she feels real to me because she's been important to a lot of readers. If Emmy were real she would probably be around thirty-three years old. Rosie would be about seventeen.

Justin Chrisman

9/22/2013 12:55:29 pm

I loved Detour for Emmy and I also read To Soon for Jeff. They are great books and I don't see any reason to ban them. Even as a male they really capture ones attention and give a realistic view of teen pregnancy.

Anne

5/23/2012 12:33:29 pm

Please update us with more of your upcomming books and also life with new posts here in this website! I love Marilyn Reynolds!!!!

Marilyn Reynolds link

5/25/2012 10:32:15 am

Thank you! I followed your advice.

Empress

5/26/2012 03:19:00 am

If emmy was a made up character, those pictures of "rosie" & "emmy" in the hard-cover books, was just random people right?

I love you marilyn reynolds!! I hope you stay healthy, beautiful, and wonderful & will always be passionate about writing :)

Marilyn Reynolds link

5/27/2012 07:48:09 am

The picture of Emmy on the cover was a picture of the cover artist's daughter. It didn't look much like my idea of how Emmy would look. "Detour for Emmy" now has a new cover which I like much better.

Thank you for holding such positive hopes for me.

Destiny Campbell

11/19/2012 12:50:12 am

I love your book and need some information of your book of why it is banned, for a school project !

Marilyn Reynolds link

11/19/2012 04:12:20 am

Dear Destiny,

I'm attaching information that I think will give you what you need. If not, let me know what else will help.

If you're unable to open this, email me directly at m.m.reynolds.me.com

Marilyn

/Users/marilynreynolds/Desktop/Censorship, Detour for Emmy, 11:12.pdf

Marilyn Reynolds link

11/19/2012 04:12:30 am

Marilyn Reynolds link

11/19/2012 04:12:49 am

Mya

9/30/2013 12:52:01 am

I am doing a research project for school. Who when where and why was detour for Emmy banned?

11/19/2013 10:46:20 am

hi marilyn. i just read "Detour for Emmy" i've got to say that was one of the best books i have ever read. its so realistic i want to know more! so much more. its so exciting! and the way art and emmy acted was so real. i actually thought this was real for a moment. who is the girl on the cover of the book by the way? (if its not emmy) i've also read "Telling" but thoes are the only two we have at my schools library. but you are a true inspiration to me.

Marilyn Reynolds link

11/19/2013 12:11:00 pm

Hi Cynthia,

Thanks so much for your positive comments about my books. I appreciate hearing from you, and hope you can find a way to read the others. Do you have a public library nearby?

Quinn

12/26/2013 04:16:52 am

Marilyn,
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVED Detour for Emmy. I was just wondering if Emmy is a made up character, whose picture is that?
Thanks.

Marilyn Reynolds link

12/28/2013 01:36:07 am

Hi Quinn,

Emmy is a made up character. The picture on the cover is nothing like what I imagined Emmy to look like. The cover artist had his daughter's school picture sitting on his desk, slapped it on the cover, and sent it off to the printer. "Detour for Emmy" now has a new cover, without the picture. I like the new cover better.

Quinn

3/22/2014 03:50:43 pm

Oh thanks for replying. I just read "Shut Up" and it was SO GOOD. What I love about your books is that they are so realistic like in Detour for Emmy, she and Art were like clearly living in the moment without really thinking of the consequences. And in Shut Up, Mario could only do so much to protect his brother. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE keep writing these AWESOME books, because I am gonna read every single one.

2/11/2014 05:33:51 am

Emily

5/29/2014 06:23:52 am

Hi Marilyn,
I'm Emily and have recently read Detour for Emmy (go figure right?). Anywho, i was wondering if yo could give me some insight on the reason(s) Emmy was banned and from what schools? Thank you ever so much :)

Marilyn Reynolds link

5/30/2014 05:20:01 am

Hi Emily,

The complaints about "Detour for Emmy" generally focus on sections of the book that deal with sex. I have even been accused of being a pornographer. Other complaints have stated that the book promotes teen pregnancy, undermines family values, etc., etc. Demands that "Emmy" be removed from school libraries and classrooms usually come from people who have not read the book. Also, in school districts where there is a coherent book challenge policy in place, the book generally remains available to readers.

I support a parent's right to monitor their son's or daughter's reading material, but not a parent's right to monitor everyone else's son's or daughter's reading material.

Thanks for asking. Keep reading.

Marilyn Reynolds

Marilyn Reynolds link

5/30/2014 05:39:33 am

P.S. One of the major challenges was at a middle school in Garland, Texas, another middle school in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and a district in Arizona. Except for the Arizona challenge, these schools kept "Detour for Emmy" on the shelves.

Felin

3/8/2015 12:25:56 pm

Hello!

I am doing a project for school and am in the need of some information about "Detour for Emmy". It is difficult to find a decient summary of the book anywhere online and I dont have the money to purchase. How does the book end? Also what was the original publisher? Did you think this book would have been challenged?

Also, side note, I love the idea of this book! I can't wait to read it when I get the chance. I applaud you for writing about a different lifestyle and a different family dynamic.

Thank you for bring some more diversity into the world of books!

Katie Snook

3/16/2018 09:13:40 am

Hi! I am doing a project for my English class. I choose to read If You Loved Me. I was wondering if this was an actual true story. What do you think would be different about this story if a man wrote it?

7/15/2018 04:28:47 pm

I just got done reading Love Rules. It was such a moving story, very heartbreaking. I know it's unfortunate that we can't always fight every legal battle even when we have reason to do so, either because of the way our country was founded or because we cannot afford lawyers. There's a piece released in 2012 by Stephen Schwartz called Testimony, which was taken from texts from the It Gets Better Project. It sums up the good, the bad, and the ugly all into one hundred seventeen measures.
Also, are you able to publish new editions of books or eBooks that have already been released? If so, perhaps you might like to consider focusing on including individuals who are gender non-binary, and use more gender-inclusive language, even though conservative grammarists might say that using 'they' as a singular pronoun is not proper English. Still, I believe that the people who lived here long before the European explorers had come were able to identify with any gender, and there wouldn't be any stereotyping. Their languages would most likely have singular gender-neutral pronouns.
We need to start educating those about using this when speaking about hypothetical persons in a general sense.True, homosexuality got most of the attention during the latter half of the twentieth century, and now transgender and gender-nonconforming issues are starting to take on a firmer grip.
I attached my slef-hosted blog if you are interested in following it. :-)

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