[LM_NET] Dear America

[Marci Mathers <mediamarci@HOTMAIL.COM>]

I have parent angry over what she claims to be "inappropriate" material in a 
library book, specifically a book in the Dear America series "When Will this 
Cruel War End?"

The parent objects to the writer refering to African slaves as feeble 
minded.  I should mention that the student-reader in question is in the 3rd 
grade, but was able to pass the "five-finger" test, so I didn't see a 
problem with letting her taking the book.

I have not read this particular book, so I do not know if this reference has 
been taken out of context, if the writer undergoes some sort of Epiphany to 
come to a more "correct" way of thinking, or something else.  I do know the 
series is well regarded.

History is sometimes ugly.  It is almost never politically correct.  I did 
not purchase this book, it came from Follett as part of our opening day 
collection, but the librarian in me says let it stay!  I need some advice 
from the more seasoned members of this group to arm myself for what is 
coming.

By the way, no, our district does NOT have a challenged book policy.  I 
would hate to start pulling books off the shelves because one or two parents 
have a bee in their bonnets.  I could eventually end up with a naked 
library!

Now what?



Marci Mathers, MLIS
Media Specialist
Mountain Vista K-8 School
Coolidge, AZ
mediamarci@hotmail.com

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