ABFFE Defends Banned and Challenged Books Across America

The following incidents reflect cases in which ABFFE responded to book challenges or censorship, 2006-2007.

Miami-Dade County, FL
Vamos A Cuba by Alta Schreier (Heinemann) was banned in April 2006 by the Miami-Dade County School Board because a local parent complained that the book paints too favorable a picture of Cuba. The school board decided to ban the entire series of travel books, which are intended for children ages 4-8. ABFFE joined an amicus brief in support of the ACLU lawsuit opposing the school board’s decision. A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments in the case on June 6th. We are still awaiting a decision in this case.

Dover-Sherborn, MA
So Far from the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Kawashima Watkins (Harper) was challenged in Dover-Sherborn Middle School in December 2006 by parents who found its depiction of Koreans during World War II offensive, calling this work of fiction “historically inaccurate.” The challengers also sought to bar the author from visiting the school to meet with students, though her annual presentation had been an integral part of the sixth grade English Language Arts unit on “survival” for years. Partly in response to a letter from ABFFE, NCAC, and other free expression groups, the school board reversed a committee decision that had recommended removing the book. This incident was brought to our attention by Carol Chittenden of Eight Cousins Bookstore in Falmouth, MA.

Nationwide
The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron (Simon & Schuster)
The word “scrotum” in February made this year’s Newbery Award-winning novel the subject of controversy among authors and librarians across the country. Following a report in the New York Times, the story of Patron’s challenged book received national attention, and many school librarians have hesitated to purchase the book for their collections. Susan Patron is the Juvenile Materials Collection Manager at the Los Angeles Public Library and the author of five other books for children. In an interview with Patron, we asked her about the controversy over The Higher Power of Lucky and librarians’ role in defending the First Amendment. ABFFE and NCAC also disseminated information about book censorship and worked with publishers and others to build awareness and draw attention to the issue.

Howell, MI
Black Boy by Richard Wright (Harper), Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs (Macmillan), The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison (Penguin, Random House), Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut (Random House), and The Freedom Writers Diary by Erin Gruwell (Random House) were challenged in Howell High School in February 2007 for sexual themes and profanity by members of the Livingston Organization for Values in Education (LOVE) with assistance from the Michigan chapter of the American Family Association. ABFFE was joined by ten free expression groups in a letter to the school board urging them to keep the books. The school board voted 5-2 to retain all of them. Dissatisfied with this result, the AFA also assisted LOVE in filing a complaint with the State Attorney General and the U.S. Department of Justice, claiming that the books violate laws against child pornography and sexual abuse. The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan referred the matter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. However, federal, state, and local prosecutors alike declared the complaints to be without merit.

Missouri Valley, IA
In early March 2007, Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher (Random House) was challenged in tenth grade English classes at Missouri Valley High School by a local pastor who complained about the book’s “objectionable language.” Following a letter from ABFFE and NCAC, the book reconsideration committee recommended that the school board vote to keep the book, and the books were subsequently returned to classrooms.
 

Jacksonville, FL
Vegan Virgin Valentine by Carolyn Mackler (Candlewick) was challenged in Mandarin High School library in March 2007 for language some parents found objectionable. The challengers wanted, at minimum, parental permission to be required for students to check the book out of the library. Also in the Duval County Public Schools, parents challenged four books in the school library at LaVilla School for the Arts, a Jacksonville middle school. They objected to Lucky by Eddie de Oliveira (Scholastic), Beyond the Chocolate War by Robert Cormier (Random House), Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume (Random House), and Olive’s Ocean by Kevin Henkes (Harper). Most of the objections concerned the allegedly “offensive” language in the books. In the case of Lucky, the critics disliked the protagonist’s questioning of his own sexuality. ABFFE joined with NCAC and PEN American Center in writing letters to the school principal and Superintendent urging them to retain the books and to follow a thorough review policy.

Louisville, KY
Beloved by Toni Morrison (Penguin, Random House) was removed from Advanced Placement English classrooms at Eastern High School in Louisville, KY in March 2007 because some parents complained about the book’s racial and sexual content. Students were told to stop reading the book within 30 pages from the end of the novel, and class discussions were terminated. ABFFE and NCAC were joined by PEN American Center and the National Council of Teachers of English in protesting the book’s removal. We also worked with the local chapter of the ACLU and local activists. We have received no response to date.

Harford County, MD
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier (Random House) was banned in Harford County Schools in April 2007 for offensive language, sexual content, and references to homosexuality. Following complaints from some parents, the Superintendent had the book removed from the ninth grade Social Studies curriculum. ABFFE and five other free expression groups wrote a letter protesting this decision. We are awaiting a response from the school district.

Wilton, CT
ABFFE joined over thirty prominent members of the Dramatists Guild, NCAC, and other free speech advocates in opposing the banning of Voices in Conflict, a student play about Iraq. The Wilton High School principal cancelled the show due to questions of political balance and context. According to the Superintendent’s press release, the school objected to the students’ use of media sources and personal letters and the fact that the students themselves play the roles of the soldiers whose lives they aim to portray. The students have been welcomed at public theaters in Connecticut and New York, where their performances have been repeatedly sold out. Each performance is followed by a “talk back” between actors and audience members.  Click here to view a short film about the play.

Fargo, ND
Finding Laura Buggs and Until They Bring the Streetcars Back, both by Stanley Gordon West (both Lexington-Marshall Publishing) were challenged in May 2007 for use in the Fargo public schools because of one parent’s objections to violence and sexual content. The complaining parent demanded that the school district ban the books despite district policy explicitly stating that only parents with children in classes assigned to read the books may file formal complaints; her child was not assigned to read either of the books. ABFFE and NCAC sent a letter to the Superintendent and book reconsideration committee, who decided to retain the books.

Bentonville, AR
The Whole Lesbian Sex Book by Felice Newman (Cleis Press) was removed from circulation in the Bentonville Public Library in May 2007 following a complaint and threats of a lawsuit brought by a Bentonville resident who alleged that his sons were harmed after they accidentally came across the book in the library. ABFFE and NCAC were joined by a number of free speech groups and groups supporting sexuality research and education in protesting the book’s removal.

Bartlesville, OK
The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson (Penguin) was removed from circulation in the school library at Bartlesville Mid-High in May 2007.  The book was removed following complaints from one parent about homosexual themes and underage drinking in the book in the book.  ABFFE and NCAC sent a letter to the Superintendent and Board of Education protesting the book's removal.

Brookwood, AL
Sandpiper by Ellen Wittlinger (Simon & Schuster) was challenged at Brookwood High School by a student and her grandmother who object to the book's sexual content and have requested that the book be removed from the High School library.  ABFFE and NCAC protested the challenges; click here to read the joint letter.  The book was reviewed by a committee who recommended that the school board vote to keep the book.  The board voted to retain the book, but it will consider revisions to its policies for selection of library materials.  Click here to read the local news update.

Kanawha County, WV
Two novels by Pat Conroy, The Prince of Tides and Beach Music (both Random House), have been challenged for use in the Advanced Placement English curriculum at Nitro High School because some parents object to graphic violence including sexual violence in the books.  The books were pulled from classrooms, and many students have protested the books' removal.  ABFFE and NCAC sent a letter to the school board, who referred the matter to a book review committee; click here to read the joint letter.  In addition, Pat Conroy wrote a letter to the local newspaper, the Charleston Gazette, which has been covering the controversy.  Following the review committee's vote in favor of Beach Music, the book was returned to classrooms.  The Prince of Tides is still under review.  The school board is also considering a proposal to institute a rating system for books; ABFFE and five other free speech groups oppose rating books.

Tuscola, TX
The Child of God by Cormac McCarthy (Random House) has been removed from Jim Ned High School and cancelled from the school library’s order list following complaints by parents of one student, who also filed an official complaint against a teacher with the local sheriff.  The book was included in an optional reading list from which students chose books to read for a class assignment.  One student’s parents objected to violence, sexual themes, including sexual violence, and profanity in the book.  They met with the school principal and their daughter’s English teacher.  Dissatisfied, they registered an official complaint with the sheriff’s office, charging the teacher with providing material “harmful to minors” to their daughter under Texas Penal Code 43.24.  The teacher was placed on paid administrative leave in early October, and the investigation is ongoing.  Click here for the latest local news.

Westhampton Beach, NY
The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult (Simon & Schuster) and Cradle and All by James Patterson (Hachette) were challenged by some parents who object to sexual content in the books and requested that they be removed from the ninth grade optional reading list at Westhampton Beach High School.  Terry Lucas of The Open Book bookstore in Westhampton Beach, NY was one of four people who spoke in support of the books at the school board’s initial meeting on the challenges; parents opposing the books had gathered over 75 signatures on their side.  Terry wrote a letter to the school board, and ABFFE helped her to assemble a petition in support of the books and gave her talking points and assisted with plans for her store's banned book "Read-In."  ABFFE and NCAC sent a letter to the school board in support of the books.  The board voted 4-3 to remove the books from the optional reading list, although they will remain available in the library.  In a recent press release, ABFFE and NCAC condemned the board's decision. Click here to read the press release.

Winchester, KY
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman (Random House) was challenged by parents and some local Christian leaders who believed it to be anti-Christian.  The school board appointed a review committee to read the book and make recommendations to the board.  ABFFE and NCAC sent letters to the committee and the school board in support of the book.  Click here to read more.

Tuscaloosa, AL
Sandpiper by Ellen Wittlinger (Simon & Schuster) was challenged at Brookwood High School by a student and her grandmother who objected to the book's sexual content.  The student refused to return the book to the school library.  A review committee recommended that the book be retained in school libraries.  ABFFE and NCAC sent a letter to the school board in support of the book; click here to read the letter.  The board voted to keep Sandpiper, but it is considering policies to prevent potentially "offensive" material from being included in library collections.

Smithfield, NC
How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez (Penguin) was removed from Johnston County Schools following challenges by a few parents who objected to sexual themes in the book.  Although their daughter was offered an alternative assignment, the parents continued to press for the book's removal.  A review committee recommended that the book be kept in school classrooms and libraries, but a district committee decided to ban it.  In addition, the district is using lists of challenged books to "weed out" potentially offensive materials.  ABFFE, NCAC, and PEN American Center sent a letter to the school board condemning both decisions.  Click here to read the letter.

Tampa, FL
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen (Penguin) was challenged in Armwood High School by a few parents who objected to the book's sexual themes and language and requested that it be removed from the school library.  ABFFE and NCAC sent a letter to the Tampa Tribune and the Hillsborough County School Board in support of the book.  A review committee of teachers, parents, and students voted unanimously to keep the book in the library.  Click here to read the letter.

Appomattox, VA
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (Penguin) was challenged in January 2008 at Appomattox High School by a parent who objected to graphic language in the book.  Though her son was given an alternative Steinbeck book to read, the parent still believes the book is inappropriate for other students and asked that it be removed altogether from the 10^th grade English curriculum.  A committee is reviewing the book and will make recommendations to the Board of Education.  We wrote a letter to the review committee opposing the challenges.

Lehigh Acres, FL
The Amazing Bone by William Steig (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) was challenged at Sunshine Elementary School in February 2008 by a parent who objected to a scene in the book in which robbers try to steal from the main character (a pig) and brandish pistols and a dagger.  The parent wanted the book removed from the library.  ABFFE and NCAC worked with the school principal and provided informational resources on the First Amendment in schools to the school’s book review committee.  In an interview with a local TV station, we emphasized the importance of protecting all parents’ First Amendment rights to decide what their children may read.  The review committee voted on February 8^th to keep The Amazing Bone in the school, and school officials are working with the parent to accommodate the family individually.

Indianapolis, IN
The Freedom Writers Diary by Erin Gruwell (Random House) was removed from English 11 classes at Perry Meridian High School in February 2008 while students were in the process of reading it.  No formal complaint process against the book was initiated, students’ parents had signed permission slips indicating their approval of the book’s use, and the book is freely available in the high school library.  ABFFE and NCAC were joined by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) in sending a letter to the school board opposing the book’s removal.