What's In Those Novels Your Child Is Reading?

 

            There's a huge difference between attempting to influence your child's school curriculum in a positive way, and insisting on censorship. So yes, there are many objectionable books being purchased by public schools today, and placed in the hands of children, whether as assigned curriculum, part of recommended reading lists, or on school library shelves.

 

            Sexually explicit scenes . . . profanity . . . drug and alcohol use . . . suicide . . . gut-wrenching depictions of violence . . . politically distorted presentations . . . yes, they're all in there, even at the grade-school level, but certainly in middle school and high school.

 

            But you don't have to resort to the despicable act of censorship, book burning or any other extremist action to get rid of them. You don't have to be painted as a person who doesn't want your child exposed to reality. And yes, sometimes reality is crude, frightening, illegal, tawdry and disgusting. The point is, influencing the books taught in your child's school is a matter of leadership and citizenship.

 

            All you have to do is voice your opinion, and let the system work.

 

            If you're a parent who loves literature and are very concerned about the quality of the stories and content that your child is taking in, you need to be as vigilant about the assigned and recommended reading that your child will be exposed to as you are to the food, movies and music he or she absorbs.

 

            The basic thing to do is to request a list of the novels early in the school year. Request a copy from the school, or if that is difficult for the school, go to the public library or purchase them in a bookstore. Read each book. Take notes on objectionable content. If the overall theme and meaning of the book is valuable, decide whether to "go to bat" against the book because of a few passages that are awful. Instead, you could ask your child's teacher to send a note home to parents to talk with their children about those passages.

 

            One rule of thumb is the "three strikes rule." If you see three things about a book that really upset you, then it's time to make an appointment with the teacher, bring the book and your notes, and start moving up the chain of the command, all the way to the school board if necessary, to get something better in place.

 

            For a great start, see www.factsonfiction.org