[ISLMA-Share] Elem. book challenge (from the principal)

[Email list for the Illinois School Library Media Association]

Hi, all!

Happy Day of Silence. In a sadly ironic twist, I have a book challenge
question for you about a Stonewall Award Winning book.

A friend of mine has a fourth grade daughter who decided to read George by
Alex Gino for her fourth quarter independent read. Her teacher vetoed it,
saying it was inappropriate (even though it's in the library at her school
and it's at her reading/grade level). My friend had a meeting with the
principal and the teacher yesterday. Prior to the meeting, she talked with
the author and the Office of Intellectual Freedom, and they gave her some
talking points. She took in copies of all the starred reviews (Kirkus,
SLJ, Publishers Weekly). The teacher and principal wouldn't budge and said
they didn't want to deal with any parents who might possibly call and
complain about the content (it's about a kid who is labeled a boy, but
feels they are a girl and wants to try out for the part of Charlotte in
Charlotte's Web).

She has asked me not to reveal the school, but I can tell you that it's in
a well-regarded elementary district in the Western Suburbs.

My question for the collective mind- what are her next steps here? I am
livid on her daughter's behalf, but I also understand that my friend is
concerned about making waves when her daughter will be at the school for
two more years.

TIA!

~Kelly


**********************
Kelly McGorray Roberts
Head Librarian, Glenbard East High School
Ph: 630-424-6693
Tw: @roberts_reads





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