Book Fairs, Censorship, and Angry Parents

[Gary and Beth McCheyne <mccheyne@LIGHTLINK.COM>]

 I have a situation that I need to handle carefully, and I'm hoping for
some of that expert advice that has always come from lm_net in the past.

Last week, we had a Troll Book Fair in our K-6 school.  I have had book
fairs with Troll for the past 5 years without having any real problems,
except that they invariably send extra books that are not listed in any of
the advertisements that go home to the parents.  Well, this time the book,
"Are you home alone" by Richard Peck was on the bargain table, and a
primary-level child (under 3rd grade) chose to buy the book.  As the book
is about the subject of rape, and contains violent scenes that I agree are
not appropriate for this child, the parent is rather unhappy.

To complicate matters further, I am within a day or so of having a baby,
and I was not present when this situation happened.  I am glad that my
substitute and my assistant were astute enough when the parent came in to
complain that the parent is no longer planning to visit the school board,
the superintendent or the principal.  She is not angry with the school,
but with Troll.  We have promised a letter of complaint to the company
with a copy to the parent, and she seemed satisfied with that at least for
the moment.

I have been contemplating trying a different book fair company for next
year anyway, just for a change of pace, so I don't mind writing a letter
to Troll complaining about their habit of sending unadvertised books that
are inappropriate for our age of children.  I can't help feeling a bit of
personal responsibility for relying on their judgement and not looking
closer at the books myself.  The time factor for doing this, though, would
probably make it impossible unless I want to be there all night the day
before the fair opens.

I'm interested in any thoughts, suggestions, advice, or encouragement any
of you can give on this issue.

Thank you for listening!

Beth McCheyne
K-6 School Library Media Specialist
Interlaken, NY