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Burned Compiled Form Responses
Burned Compiled Form Responses
Material Reviewed: Burned by Ellen Hopkins
Pervasive Vulgarity and Educational Suitability:
1. Is the material obscene, harmful, or pervasively vulgar?
0 Yes
5 No
Reviewer 1:
The abuse by her father is discussed, but never into detail. The same for her sexual experiences,
discussed but not with detail.
Reviewer 2:
Pg. 155 has one of the uses of profanity. I have taught at the middle school and high school level. The
description of the fight is realistic to that of a high school fight. It is not pervasively vulgar; it merely
depicts an unpleasant aspect of real high school life.
Reviewer 3:
No response
Reviewer 4:
I am thankful for the amazing and beautiful books that are available to my kids in the public library
and in their school library as I write up my review of the book BURNED by Ellen Hopkins for the
Denton ISD book reconsideration committee. This is a wonderful book written in prose and verse that
provides captivating visual imagery and beautiful storytelling. I highly recommend this book to all
levels of high school AND I would go so far as to say it should be required reading. As an Associate
Professor, parent, and education advocate who teaches classes on pedagogy and assessment I offer
below my educated opinion regarding the appropriateness of this book for Denton ISD students.
I have never read such a complete and creative narrative outlining the experience of a young woman
who deals with such a difficult and hard life, all the while she responds with a heart full of life, a
passion for justice and care for others, and independent fortitude. While she deals with strife and
despair, by the end of the novel, we are left as a reader wanting more, and wanting her to win in her
journey of life in the face of such adversity. This book belongs in the classroom and in the libraries of
Denton ISD.
This book follows a Mormon girl, hailing from an oppressive and abusive family, who is sent to live
with her aunt in Nevada where she falls in love and learns what it means to break free from those who
think differently from her. The author delivers the story through the main character's diary entries and
the words of the page dance and unfold in surprising shapes and pathways along the page. Every turn
p g p g p p y g p g y
of the page is a visual delight. Not only will the book captivate high school students with its riveting
story, but also in the creative use of space on the page. Students will be amazed by the way in which
the author breaks traditional formatting and visual rules of the page by writing in columns, circles, and
other imaginative formations. When students expereince new ways to tell stories they can become
imaginative about the ways in which they want to create, write, and tell their own stories. In many
ways the inventive and groundbreaking visual use of space in the book mirrors the main characters
breaking of boundaries set by her emotionally abusive and alcoholic father as she creates a new life in
the world.
All Denton ISD high school students should read this book. While the person who complained about
this book claims the pages should “line a hamster cage,” I contend the pages should be framed and
line a classroom wall. When students experience artistic and inventive ways of writing they are able to
imagine new ways to tell their own stories, and the main character Pattyn is an amazing role model.
Below are quotes that illustrate important understandings about the book and its productive and key
message for students:
Questioning the World ‐ Critical Thinking: Pg. 266 ‐ After her aunt teaches her to drive and about the
nuclear power tests that took place in the desert of Nevada and the damage they had on the
environment and people (an increase of cancer for those who lived in her aunt’s town), Pattyn thinks
about her world before falling asleep. “Ever since I’d been with Aunt J, I’d learned things — some like
driving, were incredible things that I’d thought I might never learn. Others were things I maybe didn’t
want to know — that made me question every little corner of my world, even the nooks I’d always felt
safe tucked into. Things like truth about the law, so easily warped to fit the circumstances; like
government, not necessarily representative of those who had created – the people it was meant to
serve; like patriotism; the necessity of war, the wisdom of weapons of mass destruction.” The reader
understands that not only is Pattyn finding a new way in the world, but she is also learning that not
everything is as it was presented to her in her sheltered life. The reader learns that asking questions
from multiple perspectives is important.
Questioning Her Role as a Woman – The main character is often made to care for her 6 younger
sisters and is not allowed to play with kids her age or have fun outside of her house. It is often
explained to her that she is preparing for her role as a wife and mother as her religion dictates.
Continually she must care for the children, especially when her mother has been beaten by her
alcoholic father. For example, she is told she cannot learn to drive unless her future husband teaches
her and repeatedly she begins to understand how unhappy her mother is even in the mother’s silence
and inability to stand up for herself. With this realization, Pattyn begins to question and think about
the kind of future she wants for herself Pg 24 She asks her mother why do you keep having baby
the kind of future she wants for herself. Pg. 24 – She asks her mother, why do you keep having baby
after baby, and her mother replies, “...she put baby Davie in my arms. Pattyn, she said, it’s a woman’s
role. I decided if it was my role, I’d rather disappear.” The reader understands that Pattyn has the
capacity to live outside the confines of her upbringing. This is an important idea for readers to
understand and translate to their own lives if they have the desire to change how they will live in the
world.
Realizing her Ideas and Words are Valuable: The book Burned begins with her teacher giving her a
blank journal. Pg. 15 – the teacher says, “Decorate it with your words, she said. And don’t be afraid of
what goes inside.” Pattyn is given permission to honor her ideas and words as valuable, and in that
way, the reader is given the message that even in a world where you, your words, and your ideas do
not feel valued, you are important and so are your ideas. This is a message we want all students to
understand.
Reconciling God’s Love: While Pattyn’s family taught her that God’s will and love were harsh and
derived from a place of punishment, Pattyn begins to define and understand her own concept of God
while experiencing authentic and kind love from Ethan and her aunt. She works to welcome this
unconditional love into her life and then hopes that this kind of love can be possible from God, one
she hopes is very different from the God presented to her in her family's religion. Pg. 364 – “I hope
God respects how I feel about Ethan. Because I love him more than anything, even life itself.” She
continues her desire to please God, but over time develops her own empowering religious beliefs. This
message is important for students who come from a religious background.
Finding One’s Voice in the World ‐ Individualism: The book ends with the main character sitting alone
after her boyfriend has died, she has run away from home, and she has had a miscarriage. While this is
sad, her state is as it is because of her father’s violence, not Pattyn’s making. The reader understands
that while she has been dealt a difficult turn of events, really all she desires is to be loved by her
family, however being accepted by them is not worth the degradation or violence required in order to
return home. She is powerful, she is an individual, and she will make her way in the world. Pg: 530 –
She states, “Soul searching, I know that I will never squeeze into such a common mold. Brain racing, I
struggle to reach a decision. God, wherever He is, only knows which way I’ll go.”
This book overall presents the story of a girl who pushes against her family’s restrictive religion and
her family's abusive and oppressive rules, and she starts to make her own decisions in the world.
Pattyn is strong, resilient, and continually chooses right over wrong. She stands up for her abused
mother and sister, and reports her father to the church regarding his physical abuse and drinking only
to be told she is lying, and thus she ends up planning her way out. It is important for students to learn
what it means to find one’s voice and forge their path in the world — a true American dream and
value. By following Pattyn’s story the reader is able to empathize with a person their age who survives
against many odds and for readers who find similarities between Pattyn’s story to their own life, they
will find solace in being understood in their pain and will experience Pattyn’s courage as their own.
In conclusion of my assessment, it is important to speak to the complainant’s statement that the book
is vulgar and inappropriate. Any depiction or insinuation of sex or a sexual experience in this book is
not vulgar or explicit in any way and instead is presented to the reader with beautiful imagery about
the main character’s sexuality and falling in love. If any reader finds it “pornographic” this would be
solely based on their own interpretation and projection. The person who complained about this book
is misguided in what vulgarity and inappropriate writing on sexual encounters look like. All depictions
of teens kissing, groping, or engaging in intercourse are artistic and vague, tasteful, and
developmentally age‐appropriate.
Additionally, it is important to point out that Pattyn’s first encounter with a boy, before she moves to
Nevada with her aunt, is not authentically kind and honest – the boy is not a good choice and is not in
love with Pattyn. However, once she meets Ethan, she learns what an appropriate and consensual
kind relationship can be. Further, since the author presents Pattyn as age‐appropriately exploring who
she is as a person and her attraction to boys, teen readers can learn how to discern the difference
between kind and unkind romantic relationships, as well as coercion and consent in relationships. This
Reviewer 5:
Since I don't have the book in front of me, I cannot be exact of the page numbers; however, as a
reader, I feel that this book has merit and the author writes about real events that happened in the
lives of teens.
Selection criteria as per board policy EFB:
1. Does the book have the potential to enrich and support the curriculum, taking into
consideration students’ varied interests, abilities, learning styles, and maturity levels?
3 Yes
0 No
2 Not applicable/not observed
Reviewer 1:
No response
Reviewer 2:
I feel like the girl’s troubled home life might resonate with some students who also face similar
struggles at home.
Reviewer 3:
I am unfamiliar with the intricacies of elementary and secondary education curricula. However, I can
make some assumptions about the intent for balanced mastery of various subjects to prepare youth
for further study. Given those assumptions, the book Burned may support understanding adversity
and resilience.
Reviewer 4:
No response
Reviewer 5:
I'm sure that there are students across the nation who can relate to the character and this book, in my
opinion, speaks for those who don't have a voice.
2. Does the book have the potential to stimulate growth in factual knowledge, enjoyment of
reading, literary appreciation, aesthetic values, and societal standards?
4 Yes
0 No
1 Not applicable/not observed
Reviewer 1:
No response
Reviewer 2:
I do think her work is enjoyable to read. Some students who are struggling readers, can read the
novel in verse faster because of the spacing on the page.
Reviewer 3:
The book, in itself, is a coming‐of‐age story of rather unfortunate experiences that are all too common
in contemporary society. The book is written in verse. It is expertly crafted as a story of a young girl
and her experiences. The book is thought‐provoking and creates emotion tension in the reader.
Reviewer 4:
No response
Reviewer 5:
The way that it is written in verse and the author's ability to use many figurative language devices and
carry the involvement of the reader in the story is significant to the role of Hopkins' talent as a writer
and the engagement that occurs as a reader.
3. Does the book support the development of a balanced collection presenting multiple
viewpoints related to controversial issues to foster critical thinking skills and encourage
discussion based on rational analysis?
5 Yes
0 No
0 Not applicable/not observed
Reviewer 1:
The book presents multiple viewpoints on the Mormon religion as well as what a person should
expect as acceptable behaviors from others.
Reviewer 2:
I feel like there were multiple viewpoints presented in the book. Pattyn’s aunt was a very supportive
adult who helped Pattyn.
Reviewer 3:
I would only recommend this book to youth in high school. There are challenging topics, including
domestic violence, sexual situations, and challenging the norms of religion. The topics presented in
the book are indeed controversial, but of situations that are indeed factual and corporeal.
Reviewer 4:
No response
Reviewer 5:
It is a work of fiction; however, these are issues that surround real lives ‐ many teens live through all
kinds of abuse and like I stated earlier, Hopkins gives them a voice to be heard.
4. Does the book contribute to a collection that represents many ethnic, religious, and
cultural groups and their contributions to the national heritage and world community?
3 Yes
1 No
1 Not applicable/not observed
Reviewer 1:
No response
Reviewer 2:
I think in that she thought through and questioned her belief system, yes it gave insight into her
particular religious group.
Reviewer 3:
The answer to this question is yes and no. It does not directly address culture or ethnicity, yet it does
describe disenfranchisement and vulnerability.
Reviewer 4:
No response
Reviewer 5:
Though we do not like to think of religious groups as being controlling in a negative way, Hopkins does
state that the book itself is a work of fiction, but that she had a friend growing who experienced
similar situations regarding a Mormon upbringing. See Hopkins' quote below:
I want my readers to know I am not anti‐religion. In fact, I go to church (I happen to be Lutheran)
regularly, and even sing in the choir. However, every religion can be home to extremists. Pattyn’s
family is an extreme (not to mention dysfunctional) example of the LDS faith. I do know fine
Mormons, with a strong focus on family that I respect.
Truly, I didn’t start out to write Burned about any religion, but about a girl who winds up in a
Columbine‐type situation. I needed to bring her to a place where that was the only option she could
consider. As I wrote the character, she happened to resemble a Mormon girl who I knew. I once
visited her apartment. She and her boyfriend had stockpiled weapons and explosives against the
coming “End of Times” forewarned by her church. The character of Pattyn von Stratten was likely born
on that visit.
That said, Burned is a work of fiction. Pattyn is damaged not by her religion, but by her father. I give
reasons for her father being the way he is. They involve war. His own upbringing. His own damaged
past. In the face of his abuse, Pattyn begins to question her place in the world. And her religion is a big
part of her world.
5. Does the book contribute to a collection that provides a wide range of background
information that will enable students to make intelligent decisions in their daily lives?
4 Yes
0 No
1 Not applicable/not observed
Reviewer 1:
No response
Reviewer 2:
I think as a reader I questioned some of Pattyn’s choices. I wanted her to make different decisions, so
I think that reading about some one who makes choices I would counsel against is one way to learn
how to make better choices for myself.
Reviewer 3:
There are many lessons learned within the verse of the book. There are few stories related to many
subjects within what I assume to be in the curriculum, yet, many stories related to the experience of
life, maturation, resilience and more.
Reviewer 4:
No response
Reviewer 5:
Somewhat in experiences in a social manner ‐ most certainly emotional and self control regarding
relationships.
6. Does the book demonstrate literary merit, quality, value, and significance?
5 Yes
0 No
0 Not applicable/not observed
Reviewer 1:
No response
Reviewer 2:
The main character is compelling. She is grappling with issues that many students struggle with, and
she felt authentic. I would consider that literary merit, quality and value.
Reviewer 3:
Literary merit, art, yes. All literature has merit and is art. I cannot imagine a society without art, so I
find this book significant. Will it appeal to every reader or every critic? Probably not, yet that does
not equate to a state of no value.
Reviewer 4:
No response
Reviewer 5:
I already addressed this above.
7. Does the book include accurate and authentic factual content from authoritative sources?
1 Yes
1 No
3 Not applicable/not observed
Reviewer 1:
No response
Reviewer 2:
No response
Reviewer 3:
No response
Reviewer 4:
No response
Reviewer 5:
It is a work of fiction.
8. Does the book have a high degree of potential user appeal and interest?
5 Yes
0 No
0 Not applicable/not observed
Reviewer 1:
No response
Reviewer 2:
I think students would read it and enjoy the genre.
Reviewer 3:
I absolutely believe this book will appeal to young readers.
Reviewer 4:
No response
Reviewer 5:
I believe that teens would connect to this in many ways with regards to the social aspect and some,
unfortunately live lives of abuse.
9. Do you believe this material is educationally suitable for the grade levels to which it is
available?
5 Yes
0 No
Committee recommendation:
How should this title be made available to Denton ISD Students?
4 This material should be available in its current state of circulation
1 This material should be moved up a level (elementary to middle or middle to
high)
0 This material should be available to students, but only with parent permission
0 This title should be removed from Denton ISD libraries
Additional thoughts:
Reviewer 1:
No response
Reviewer 2:
I can see that some of the themes and topics presented in this book are hard. They aren’t fun and
there are no easy solutions for Pattyn. I think reading realistic fiction gives students a low risk way to
explore ideas and situations that they may find difficult and overwhelming. I believe books like this
one are important for two very different reasons‐ a student may have no real life connections and
thus may gain insight into the challenges others face, or the novel may be more of a mirror than
anyone knows and a student may feel a little less alone. If we take away books that challenge
students to think about people and conflicts that may make them (or the adults) uncomfortable, then
we are denying them that opportunity to learn and grow through reading a wide range of fiction.
Reviewer 3:
I have carefully reviewed the Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials submitted
challenging Burned. While I wholeheartedly respect any individual's perspective and beliefs about
books or other art forms, I argue that when there is a call to remove the consumption of that art from
others, the challenge must be justified with logical and sound data. Unfortunately, I find the
challenges to this book to lack substantive grounds. The claims are not backed by warrant and
therefore absent of qualifier or rebuttal. There is a question regarding material substitution in which
the challenger indicates the book should be replaced with "classical literature." There may be a lack of
exposure, an incomplete understanding, or an unacceptable, reckless disregard of inference within
classical literature by this complainant. Or, this complainant's perspective was formed through similar
endeavors resultant from censorship.
Reviewer 4:
No response
Reviewer 5:
This book is fine in rotation, as it is a work of fiction and is written in verse which is a genre that
students find appealing these days. High schoolers have much knowledge beyond the concerns of this
book with Snapchat, Instagram, and tiktok, all of which in my opinion, add far more challenges and
harm than a book. My question: How many parents are watching and monitoring students' social
media?