A teacher in Washington State has formally challenged two books in the libraries of the Prosser School District.

From the Yakima Herald:

Richard Korb, a social studies teacher at Prosser High School, has formally challenged the books for depictions of child abuse and profanity and what he says is the promotion of homosexuality.

It’s the first time in at least eight years that books have been formally challenged in the Prosser School District, said Mary Snitily, assistant superintendent.

Korb was unavailable to discuss the challenges but a flier signed by him and forwarded to the Yakima Herald-Republic said he wants the books banned. It does not mention simply restricting them to certain ages.

The two books in questions are Dave Pelzer's A Child Called It and Amy Ignatow's The Popularity Papers. Unsurprisingly, Pelzer's book is being challenged due to the child abuse & profanity. Ignatow's book, however, is being challenged for "promotion of the homosexual agenda". Because, you know, depicting a character with two fathers—acknowledging that such families exist in our world—is promoting an agenda. 

I would go on, but I think I'm coming down with the plague* and I just don't have the energy. So, like that time that Buffy was going off into battle and wasn't in the right mindframe to come up with a quip: think of something pithy and intelligent and wise, and just imagine that I said it.

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*Aaaaaaaaaaaaaag.

Comments

[Paige Y.]

I once had a teacher challenge one of the books in my library. It was called The Period Book -- I guess middle school students shouldn't learn about their bodies as they are changing. Because it was a colleague, I took it personally -- she was questioning my judgement as to what went in my classroom (because the library is my classroom).

[Robin]

I'd like to challenge my copy of The Popularity Papers for falling apart during it's first checkout...but otherwise, great book!

Some people. Depicting reality is not promoting an agenda.

[Leila]

@Paige: Yeah, that was an aspect of the story that occurred to me when I read the news article -- that a challenge originating from within the school itself must cause so much tension in the ranks. And I can totally see why you'd take it personally, and that it would be hard (for me, at least!) to separate the personal/professional in that case. YUCK!

@Robin: ARG! When I was still at the public library, we had SO much trouble with the adult hardback bestsellers. They fell apart after, like, five checkouts!