MIDDLE: Freak the Mighty

[Susan Baker <sbaker@orca.esd114.wednet.edu>]

A board member objects to the use of Philbrick's Freak the Mighty as a
class novel for 7th grade.  The book came to the school board after
being recommended for approval by the district Instructional Materials
Committee, which I chair.

Complaints center around "disrespect towards adults, the elderly, and
children with special needs," and "reinforcing a lifestyle that exists in
many students lives...literature should be enlightening and enjoyable but
not reinforce negative forces in our lives."

Our Instructional Materials Committee must review our recommendation, and
if we still recommend approval, take our case to the board.

Suggestions (beyond the positive reviews in Booklist, Kirkus, and
Hornbook) for convincing people that this book should be approved?

Thanks for your help.

Susan Baker     sbaker@orca.esd114.wednet.edu
Library Media Specialist
Bremerton High School, Bremerton, Washington

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