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

[Email list for the Illinois School Library Media Association]

Zowie. That is really depressing. Obviously I support the book being in the
school library, but even if it loses that ground, to deny a kid's
independent reading choice that is advocated by a parent seems really off.
If there is a formal process in place for reconsideration, mom needs to
hold the school's feet to the fire and make them follow the entirety of the
process. (I am pretty sure a challenge policy doesn't usually say the
teacher and the principal will collude together to decide the outcome.)

Barring any formal process, newspapers love these stories...just saying.

Leah Krippner
Librarian, Harlem High School
I am currently reading *A World Without You* by Beth Revis

On Fri, Apr 15, 2016 at 7:59 AM, Email list for the Illinois School Library
Media Association <islma at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:

> 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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-- 
This email was sent by a staff member of Harlem Consolidated School 
District 122.
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