COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Author Chris Crutcher knows a thing or two about the angst of teenagers, having been a counselor for many years, and witnessed first hand poverty, prejudice, and abusive families. He has turned those experiences of “teenagers under fire,” into 14 books, all of which attest to the strength and the hearts of young people.
Chris Crutcher also knows about having his books removed from the shelves for their content. Over the years, several of his works, including his latest, Angry Management, which was removed, but eventually returned to Kershaw County School Libraries. “Sometimes tough stories are told in tough language,” says Crutcher as a reason that his writings sometimes raise eyebrows. This book, like many of Chrutcher's other works was returned to shelves after a careful review.
Crutcher says that the books are based on real children that he has come to know over the years, although the names and specific incidents are altered to protect the real kids that inspired them.
Crutcher, who lives on the west coast, is in town Thursday to raise awareness of Banned Book Week, which kicks off next week. Each year, Banned Book Week sees hundreds of libraries and book stories, drawing attention to the problem of censorship around the country.
Crutcher will be speaking, and taking part in a round table discussion about censorship and book banning Thursday at 6:30 pm at the Richland County Public Library.
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