In reading Spandel & Swoger I enjoyed thinking about the contrast between the two teachers. Mr. Graphite approaches learning in a very different way than Swoger. One can only imagine a series of Mr. Graphite's in Scott's education before Swoger took the time to work with him. All it took was to give him the latitude to write about what was most important in his life--passion. I thought that when she mentioned that he was involved in football he might have picked a sports subject, but no, it was his pets that he cared about enough to express himself.
At least the changes in Mr. Graphite's opened up his teaching style a little. I hope that after seeing positive results, he continued along this direction.
Tom Newkirk's reflection on censorship is interesting. This shows that there is no rhyme or reason to why certain books are targeted. All it takes it seems like is one outraged parent, and before long it is an emotional issue. I'll just put in my vote to ban MTV reality shows, not Catcher in the Rye.