Acceleration

Acceleration is one book with which I was totally immersed. I read the story in one sitting because I did not want to put it down. I was eager to see what sort of morbid things would be revealed in the journal, how Duncan would figure out the journal author’s identity, and whether or not he would be able to intervene before it was too late. I seldom read books fitting into the mystery/suspense genres, so this was a positive experience for me leading me to want to seek out more literature of this type. I can see why this books of this type would appeal to adolescents. According to Lesesne (2006), this genre is one of the most popular for grades 4-8. She recommends incorporating this genre into student reading as it appeals to boys and girls alike. I wonder though, if schools would approve of this book being recommended to or shared with students. The subject matter and Rodent’s history are pretty disturbing and violence. I have not checked to see if this book is on any “book ban list,” but it would not surprise me if it were—there are some pretty morbid ideas being presented. Having said this, I am in favor of this book being shared with adolescents.

For fun, let’s assume for a minute that schools will have an issue with teachers presenting this book to students due to the violence and the disturbing behavior of the mysterious journal author. My challenge to the schools would be to show me how the subject matter in this book differs from that of other more “classic” works such as Shakespearean plays. Adolescents read about teenagers committing suicide in Romeo and Juliet, incestuous love in Hamlet, and detailed descriptions of murders in just about any Shakespearean play to which I have ever been exposed. The violence is there, but it makes for an exciting (albeit disturbing) story. These types of stories are where the concept of “escapism” comes into effect. Furthermore, neither the author of, nor the protagonist in, Acceleration are promoting this type of abhorrent behavior. This type of behavior must be stopped and Duncan feels himself to be the one to stop it. How many times does Shakespeare advocate for the cessation of violent behavior?