A Light in the Attic
Encyclopedia
A Light in the Attic is a collection of poems by the American poet, writer, and children's author Shel Silverstein
. It was first published by HarperCollins
in 1981. The poems for children are accompanied by illustrations also created by Shel Silverstein.
. The decision, however, was later reversed by an advisory committee of parents and teachers. Other complaints included the mention of supernatural
themes, including demons, devils, and ghosts.
Shel Silverstein
Sheldon Allan "Shel" Silverstein , was an American poet, singer-songwriter, musician, composer, cartoonist, screenwriter and author of children's books. He styled himself as Uncle Shelby in his children's books...
. It was first published by HarperCollins
HarperCollins
HarperCollins is a publishing company owned by News Corporation. It is the combination of the publishers William Collins, Sons and Co Ltd, a British company, and Harper & Row, an American company, itself the result of an earlier merger of Harper & Brothers and Row, Peterson & Company. The worldwide...
in 1981. The poems for children are accompanied by illustrations also created by Shel Silverstein.
Controversy
Attempts have been made to ban the book from some libraries, parents claiming that the poem "How Not To Have To Dry The Dishes" encourages messiness and disobedience. The poem "Little Abigail and the Beautiful Pony" led to more criticism for describing the death of a girl after her parents refuse to buy her a pony. This led the book to be banned by the Fruitland Park Elementary School in Lake County, FloridaLake County, Florida
Lake County is a county located in the state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 210,528. The Census Bureau estimated the population in 2008 to be 307,243. Its county seat is Tavares...
. The decision, however, was later reversed by an advisory committee of parents and teachers. Other complaints included the mention of supernatural
Supernatural
The supernatural or is that which is not subject to the laws of nature, or more figuratively, that which is said to exist above and beyond nature...
themes, including demons, devils, and ghosts.
Awards and nominations
- American: Best Graphic Illustrations
- Winner, 1984 William Allen White Children's Book AwardWilliam Allen White Children's Book AwardThe William Allen White Children's Book Award is an annual book award chosen by Kansas students. It was established by Ruth Garver Gagliardo in 1952, in memory of William Allen White and is administered by Emporia State University. It was the first statewide readers' choice book award in the United...
(KansasKansasKansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
) - Winner, 1983 Garden State Children's Book Award (New Jersey Library AssociationNew Jersey Library AssociationThe New Jersey Library Association is a library organization located in Trenton, New Jersey. It was established in 1890, and is the oldest library organization in the State of New Jersey. The NJLA began in 1890 with 39 members, and currently has over 1,600...
) - 1987 Garden State Children's Book Award Center for Children's Books (ClaremontClaremont, CaliforniaClaremont is a small affluent college town in eastern Los Angeles County, California, United States, about east of downtown Los Angeles at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. The population as of the 2010 census is 34,926. Claremont is known for its seven higher-education institutions, its...
, CACaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
) "Recognition of Merit" Award - ALA Notable Children’s Book
- School Library Journal Best dog
- Library of Congress Children’s Books
- Buckeye Shoestring Book Award (IllinoisIllinoisIllinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
)