Middle School Book Challenge

[Irene Clise <iclise1@MICKEY.ESD113.WEDNET.EDU>]

Our district is facing a book challenge concerning SPIKE, one of the
DeGrassi Junior Series by Loretta Castellarian and Ken Roberts.  The
complaintant has filed a written complaint (using our District's
"Reconsideration of Materials" form). The parent has not read the entire
book yet and is basing his complaint  on three pages.  Our
Reconsideration Request asks the parent if they have read the entire
book, but does not COMMAND it.    It will next be read by our
Instructional Materials Committee and discussed.  We have an excellent
process in place, so that is not our concern.

The librarian at the school and others on the IMC would like suggestions
on the best way to support a book of this type--kind of a formula book
that is aimed by middle/junior high students and not a "hot" title.  We
will do everything to support the right to read, etc., but we hoped
perhaps someone out there has defended this type of material before.

Thanks for the help and support.

Irene Clise
Library Media Specialist
River Ridge High School
Olympia, Washington
iclise1@mickey.esd113.wednet.edu