Fury is ranging across the nation as parents hold schools accountable for the books they have available for children to check out in the public libraries. As an involved parent who not only loves to read herself but whose daughter loves to read, I am totally for parents becoming engaged in the school system. To be truthful, just because we are educators (myself a 22-year veteran) does not mean we can just do whatever and teach whatever without some accountable to the people who entrusts us with their children eight hours a day. Saying that, parents should also be respectful and take the proper steps to show concern. What has recently happened in my school district has been somewhat discouraging. A few moms decided to submit a list of books of concern to the school board. This doesn’t bother me. What bothers me is that, to my knowledge, they never contacted any of the schools to discuss the issue. They went straight to social media to spread their cause then right to the school board meeting, creating a firestorm and division within my district. The proper course of action would have been to discuss this issue with each principal FIRST then possibly contact someone at district office. Also, did they even see if students were checking out these books. Honestly, I am not sure if these books are actually being asked for by the students. For them to take up this cause and spread the word, like they did, through social media only tells me they want to bring attention to themselves as if they are some kind of “hero.” Saying all this, some of the books they have questioned should be pulled like Toni Morrison’s books (see previous blog post). Other books, however, are not questionable at all, and that is from someone who is very conservative on book content. One particular book they are asking to be pulled SHOULD NOT be pulled at all! Actually, I told my own ninth grader she needed to read the book. I actually think ALL EDUCATORS should read this book. The book is Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.
Quick synopsis: An upcoming ninth grader goes to a party and drinks too much. She is later raped by a boy. The book does not say anything about a rape or party until towards the end. All you know is that she starts ninth grade with her old friend group hating her because of something else that happened that night (police came). The entire book takes you through the entire school year where she processes what happens. Her parents don’t understand why her grades are dropping, she has become depressed/reserved, she finds no engagement in school, she is angry (the list goes on and on). School treats her as if she is a problem…except one teacher who makes a connection with her. Towards the end of the book, she realizes that she is not at fault for what happened to her and decides to open up to her teacher and say she was raped.
First, let me say that any book that has rape should be “flagged.” I don’t think schools should pull any book that has rape unless the book is sexually graphic like Toni Morrison’s books. What I have issues with is not the library having the book but a teacher REQUIRING that book to be read (or even putting that book on a LIST of OPTIONAL books to read). Teachers do not know if there are students who were sexually assaulted as a child or recently, which is why anything with rape should be kept out of the CLASSROOM. Period. There are way too many other books that can be used to teach a theme instead of one with sex and rape.
Second, let’s talk about this book. The girl was raped. Yes. However, it does not give details of the rape. You just know that happened. THAT is the key point that makes this book different than some of the other books. There are no sexually graphic details.
Third, these moms making this book an issue (if they have even read the book) do not understand that this book can serve as a huge resource for any student who has experienced rape. The entire book details how this one student processed what happened to her. Although the book does not include her telling her parents, I believe that will be the steps taken once she tells her teacher what happened. If a girl was raped and doesn’t tell anyone, this book can be a tool that can help her process what happened.
Last, EVERY EDUCATOR should read this book. I can’t tell you how many times students have either changed in the year I taught him/her or a parent has discussed the change. I am not saying that change was due to rape; however, I am saying is that drastic changes don’t just happen without a driving factor. I fail at this all the time. I get so caught up in rules and grades and policy that I forget what the child may be going through.
There is a graphic novel of this book. I have it in my backpack to read. This post is only based on the novel.
I encourage everyone to stop debating this issue on “Facebook Madison Moms” page (whatever it is called) and actually read through these books yourself and have dialogue with your child. I don’t tell my child she can’t read a book. I discuss with her why I don’t think she’s mature enough to read a book. I know many parents don’t do this but maybe it is time that parents enter into these dialogues.
