Well now. I wouldn't necessarily want my eight year old to read "A day in the life" or any other thing written at that level. Orwell was at least a later junior high read for me. I thought "1984" to be a lot more relevant to me in 1970! I have to echo Tim in PA's concern. Parents with children in a school system should be able to filter what their children read at school. Tax payer's dollars. I am thoroughly convinced that there are plenty of books for children to read that don't make a political or religious point at all and yet demonstrate positive, inspirational and moral values. At home the reading material may be up for discussion, a private matter. See there were no books banned, burned or any other thing. Simply regulated.