Bedford County schools reviewing challenge policy after recent book removal(s).

From newsadvance.com:

Since school started this year, two books were removed from libraries at Liberty High and Thomas Jefferson Elementary schools following complaints from parents.

The first book, "The Making of Dr. Truelove," by Derrick Barnes was removed for sexual content, said Victor Gosnell, director of technology and media. The second book, "Totally Joe," by James Howe, about a homosexual middle-school boy, was removed for not being age-appropriate, he said.

The school system may decide to allow "Totally Joe" in middle schools, he said.

Comments

[Miriam]

I have to say that I do think Totally Joe is an odd choice for an elementary school. The students are primarily ages 5-10, with a relative few turning 11 by the end of fifth grade. How many of those kids are going to be interested in reading a book that's in large part about a boy's relationship with his first boyfriend? It's much more appropriate in a middle school. I was happy to see that the school system is open to considering moving it there, rather than just deciding it isn't appropriate for any of their students.