The comparison between the use of jackass in this book and the use of the word scrotum in The Higher Power of Lucky is completely, utterly off- base. Scrotum is not a profane term--it is a body part. Jackass, however, is indeed a curse word--even if its original meaning is "donkey."

Sorry, but I disagree with the other comment. Scrotum is just as awful as jackass. Both of those profanities should be excised from all written material for children. We must save the children. Only after they reach age 18 can they be exposed to such filth. The children must be saved from filth.

I once had a kid tell me he found a bad word in a book of names: Dick I guess all books containing characters named Dick should be removed. In fact, I suppose that this remark includes profanity.

I think it's a lovely teachable moment about the English language but I have enough problems with parents already. I'll avoid it because I don't need the aggravation. I'll leave that to the public library.

A word is only profane when we attach that meaning to it. What about other words such as bitch for a female dog. You hear that word referenced in dog books and dog shows on television. A jackass is a donkey. When it is used as profanity, the speaker is using it incorrectly. Rather than censor books, we should be educating children and adults on how to speak correctly and respectfully. When everyone respects one another, you don't have anything to fear.

The children's dictionaries that I checked, contained the word "ass" with appropriate definitions regarding donkeys, and with a second definition indicating is use to identify a"silly or stupid person". Only one listed "jackass", and that contained a nearly identical entry. In addition, when adult dictionaries were consulted, the word "jackass" was not in any way associated with profanity. It may be impolite, or an insult, but not profanity. Those who argue against the book are projecting inaccurate interpretations upon the words, and thereby creating a problem where none should exist. Yes some children will react to the word, but what better teaching moment is there than one generated in the real world by real children. As librarians, we are ethical obligated to collect and provide works for our patrons, not be censors for them. Lets stop trying to shield children and start teaching them!

I love the website's note about commenting: "Comments that include profanity . . . or any other inappropriate material will be removed from the site." Uh oh. I think we're all in trouble, jackass.

:) Emily! It's not uncommon for primary students to point out "inappropriate" pictures in books. Books with art reproductions!!! Books about the human boday. There are so many standards of decency and filth. and one more thought: WHOSE job is it to protect children from filth?

Words are magical. Words are the world's best invention. For the sad woman above who talks of those two words as "hurting" children to see or say them, I hope you have nothing to do with the children of others. I feel sorry for your children. Teachers, parents, and librarians are their to help a child who doesn't understand. If I were to censor words, I would start with "war" and "guns" but history lovers and 2nd Amendment people wouldn't want that. If body parts, anything religious, violence, etc. etc. would be taken out, we would have very thin, boring books. For 30 years I got children excited about words and books. For all of those years parents thanked me often. Long live all jackasses. (Do these word haters want to censor the fables as well?)

Begging your pardon, but anyone who thinks the word 'jackass' is profanity or "filth" is not being reasonable. As others have pointed out, many words can be re-appropriated for a derogatory purpose. Someone can USE a tool, or BE a tool. It doesn't make "tool" a profanity, or filth, unless it's being used in that context. Granted, Smith's book is meant to be cheeky. But saying the book is "wrong", or that it should be banned from classrooms or libraries, is absurd. No parent has the right to dictate the curriculum for an entire class, or an entire school, of other people's children. My family doesn't celebrate Xmas. It does not mean I have the right to require schools to cancel all holiday-themed events or lessons. Teaching begins at home, folks.

I would just like to clarify my earlier comment: In The Higher Power of Lucky, the author was specifically referring to a dog's scrotum when she used that word. No one was calling anyone a scrotum, etc. In this book, the author is purposefully using the word "jackass" to mean "idiot/fool." As in, "you are a jackass." (Maybe "profanity" isn't the right term for the word "jackass," but it's certainly not a nice name to call someone, is my point.) All I'm saying is that there is a HUGE difference between those two things.

I think this book may be read on three levels. Small children will not understand the term jackass and as has been pointed out, they will think it is the proper name of the donkey. The parent/adult reading to the child will get the double-entendre, which is amusing. Older children who read it will probably appreciate the book for what it is--funny and a bit risque. I agree that parents and teachers can use this as a teachable moment about proper names and the scientific name of the donkey. In much of the world, donkeys are called asses, a direct derivation of the Latin name, and of course, a jack is a male donkey. As the author notes, his work is both cheeky and subversive. Having said all that, one of Smith's target audiences for this book is parents--and he is driving his point home well.

It would be nice if there were two versions, like they do with some songs on the radio--the G-rated and the other version. Perhaps, Mr. Smith could write both versions so more students could have the opportunity to enjoy the story.

Get a life, people. What a "teachable moment" you've lost for animal similes "wise as an owl" "sly as a fox" "stubborn as a mule". OMG, do you really think that kids who play video games and watch movies (even G and PG) do not have exposure to WORDS much more potent than this? Better to lead them through a laugh than to ignore this beautiful and timely book that teaches LOVE for reading.

I noticed that the charming book trailer released by Macmillan stopped just before the final word. I guess Macmillan didn't feel very comfortable with the word either. More than a mild swear, I object to the snippy competition between computers and books. Frankly I don't see too many kids picking this book over a computer.

I thought the book was hysterical. Once again, it is the parent's responsibility to censor their child's reading, not mine. There are many worse things that I have heard children call each other than "jackass." This is an extension of the current mentality that has TV anchors refusing to say the word "whore" because it is a "dirty word." Are we going to take out every word in every book that is objectionable to anyone? there won't be much left. I have to say that I grew up on Mad Magazine and the Three Stooges both of which had much borderline material, and all I got from it was an understanding of humor, slapstick, and satire. This book falls into that genre. Don't we have worse things to worry about?

I guess you guys won't be going to see Jackass 3D.

As a middle school teacher, and a teen librarian in a public library - and in two very different demographics - I don't see the problem with the word Jackass at all. If it can be the name of a movie, and a tv show, which most kids will at least see a commercial for, it's not like they haven't heard the word before. I read it to my 6th graders and they LOVED it. And I loved seeing them giggle when I read the word, like they were a part of something a little risque at school while reading - yes - A BOOK. It's a cute read - for the right audience. If you don't like it, that's fine, there's so much out there that won't challenge your sensibilities; but realize that it's a word that is very prevalent in their world already (Jackass 3D just came out in theaters!), it's nothing new to them.

I think Kathy Noble's comment sums it up. The word is funny, the double meaning and lessons about the English language could be enlightening to students, but most teachers have enough on their plates juggling the demands of parents and school districts to also take this one on. And Lane Smith could have realized that when naming his character. It's not the same as Lucky's "scrotum". Jackass is a word kids could get in trouble saying if referring to a person instead of a donkey. Scrotum is the proper name of a body part, and preferable to other terms kids are more than familiar with. I'm all for freedom of expression, but authors have to take age-appropriateness into account as well. If this was a character in a middle grade novel, I don't think there'd be nearly as much fuss. Six and seven year olds, however, will see this as an opportunity to yell "It's a swing, jackass" across the playground. I think the book has a right to exist and be available in stores and public libraries, but I completely understand if teachers want to take a pass.

I do hope Kristin here is joking. Scrotum is NOT a profanity. It's a perfectly acceptable name for a body part. Would you rather she use "balls" or "nuts?" Using that logic, "breast" would be profane, correct? Not to mention "nipples," which is how most animals feed their babies. Why is it not okay to teach children the proper names for things that they have attached to their own bodies? Ridiculous!

I couldn't wait to read this to my fourth graders on the first day of school. I revolved my whole day around it. It lead to a great discussion about the appropriate times and uses of language. If we expect our students to misinterpret our lessons and our parents to overreact; what does that say about our expectations for our community. During our summer book group for boys I read Lane Smith's book to both the kids and their parents. Regardless of their individual opinions of the language they were all very happy with the message, and more importantly, that their children were telling their friends, "You have to read..." during baseball practice. It's our responsibility to prepare our students for their future. Language is something these student will most likely encounter on a daily basis for the rest of their lives. The more we fail to address it in an educational setting, the more irrelevant we will become. We have a responsibility to read our students books with the word jackass in it.

Oh my, much to do about nothing!! I love Lane Smith's book and his explanation about letting kids feel a little bit naughty when the word shows up and the instantaeous opportunity to teach them something is right on. Saving kids from "filth" will ultimately get them dirty and into trouble eventually. And avoiding it to the public library because of aggravation is just lazy. Sorry!!

Yikes! Since when is "jackass" a curse word? It's the correct name for a male donkey. It's also an epithet for a person who's being dense or stupid. In both senses the word is used properly here. Jackass may be rude and cheeky, but it sure isn't a curse like $#^@ or !)^%. And "scrotum" is the proper term for a specific body part. I, for one, advocate teaching children all the correct terms and avoiding the cute, safe euphemisms (peepee and the like). Or do you completely avoid the issue and just pretend those parts don't exist? Exposure to words and their correct meanings/usages takes away much of their power to shock or offend. "Only after they reach age 18 can they be exposed to such filth." (That's hilarious by the way.... I hope you are with your children 24/7.) 18 is way too late. If they aren't educated before then, they'll spend their whole lives being horrified.

I think it is a teachable moment about the English language as well. My problem is keeping a straight face. I think this book is hysterical and timely. We are we so hung up on using the technical names! Jackass is not a curse word. It is the politically correct term. By the way all this hoopla and the number one movie is called is called Jackass! Where are our priorities.

Nancy, The most effective form of censorship is when they get you to do it to yourself.

I'll go with the theory that it is subversive. Therefore the most unlikely (or reluctant) readers will want it. That makes it a winner in my opinion.

I think there are so many more important things to think about than the use of the word "jackass". Is anyone aware of what basic cable broadcasts? Additionally, let me point out that when reading aloud tone is everything, as in much of life it's really not what you say, but how you say that matters.

I love it! I have it on my list to buy my grandkids for Christmas. Thanks for a good laugh, Mr. Smith.

And his next book will have characters: Peter, Dick, and Pussy who will go to Buttleiker Public School in Condemtown, MA.

I loved the book and focused on the fact that in today's technology and especially in the future, this is a real issue! As a teacher and parent, I know kids know more than you think. They say things around their friends that you, as a parent, may be shocked about! Some may even say "My kid would never say such a thing". Be realistic, they know more than you want them to and "sheltering" them from such simple things will only make them want it more! Everything is a teachable moment, the good thing is you can choose to make the teachable moment good or bad. Boy are we in trouble if we take all books with something questionable off the shelves. Dust will remain. Thank goodness for our freedoms!!

I like the concept of this book, I like the art, I like the story, and I like the humor. I like it on many levels, and I can't use it in my school. Sad, but true. Our patrons are conservative and jackass is a swearword. Not just a swearword, but the central word of the story. I know it's not done and I'm committing the cardinal sin of librarianship, but I whited out "jack" so sue me.

I meant to say I whited out "ass" so it says "It's a book, Jack."

"It's a book, jackass" sounds like namecalling and seems harsh though I have no objection to the naming in the style of the fable. I wanted to not mind it but I confess to a gut negative reaction when those words came out of my mouth.

Really - scrotun is profanity? Really? So that means words like "brain" and "breast" and "kidney" are profanity too? Do we honestly need to save children from this "filth" until age 18???? Wow - imagine trying to get into a premed college course without ever seeing that kind of "filth"!

Has society lost all common sense? In today's world where kids are watching all manner of horror films and violence, and yes, inappropriate-for-their-age-sex scenes, we're going to worry that the words "jackass" and "scrotum" are going to corrupt them? I agree with those who say it is a good time for a language lesson. I have kids tell me all the time not to use words such as hate and murder. They need to know that words are just words. Used appropriately, they help us communicate clearly. Some we don't say in front of Grandma or our teacher, and we need to be aware of the power of words to hurt and cause damage, but we shouldn't forbid them in every context. Better to teach a child not to call a person a scrotum (or any other name) and to use the word correctly, rather than that the word itself is bad. What's next? Racism is a word to describe something really "bad", so we're going to get rid of the word?

Did William Steig's book SHREK create such controversy? "You jabbering jackass!"

I agree with Kathy Noble. It is a wonderfully teachable moment! I was an elementary librarian for 34 years and have been retired for 11 years. I would use it in conjunction with the dictionary, encyclopedia, and books which bring plays on words FIRST! I would, probably not use it with kindergarten or first grade, but, by second I think they would understand and thoroughly enjoy it. I might not put it in the general collection simply because of the flack I might receive from some parents, but would leave it up to parents to decide if they want it in their personal collection. It would be terrible to censor this wonderful little book because of this one thing! Kids with love it!

Kristin, Jackass isn't a curse word. It means a donkey or a foolish person. Look it up in the dictionary. It's no worse than calling someone an idiot or a jerk. I would say it's not exactly a nice thing to say, but it's not on the same lines as swearing or cursing.

The use of "jackass" in this book and the word "scrotum" in The Higher Power of Lucky are two totally seperate issues. If you know anything about the human body, the scrotum is a BODY part. The word "jackass" would be a derogatory slang name against someone. If I buy this book for my school library, it will be for group read, with my older 5th/6th grade students. And I would also talk about the use of the word. OR- I will simply omit it verbally, haven't decided yet. We do need to remember that as library folks we represent freedom of speech, and if people consider the word jackass filth, what's next- ban art books because of nudity? If kids choose to repeat slang, that's another teachable moment. A good reminder- banned books week is coming soon!!!

I don't think that 'jackass' is a particularly strong word. It's merely slang.

Keep the great books coming Mr. Smith!! The funny part is the more the "conservative" people complain the more your book will get read. I love that kind of irony.