ELEM,MID: TARGET, CENSORSHIP OF THE GIVER

[Barbara Turner <bturner@ALEXIA.LIS.UIUC.EDU>]

Our 6th grade classes have used Lowry's The Giver as a class novel for
several years and now face their first challenge of the book.  We have a
policy in place that worked recently for another book.  My concern is that
the principal seems to have already determined that the book is
inappropriate for 6th grade.  He and I, of course disagreed and I mentioned
that is why we use a committee which did not please him I'm sure.  I have
located all the reviews I can find, but one of his arguments was that it
didn't matter how "good" an example of literature it is if it is
inappropriate.  I'm not sure he is going to be swayed by the reviews.  Has
anyone had a similar situation with an administrator or have any thoughts
related specifically to The Giver?  TIA
Barbara Turner, Media Specialist
St Joseph CCD #169
St Joseph, IL 61873
email: bturner@alexia.lis.uiuc.edu