MID/GEN: Justification for intense language in books

[Angela OKane <AOKane@USD232.ORG>]

Oh, lucky me.  I have my first book challenge, and as a result, my =
principal is looking for solid explanations/justifications for keeping =
books with offensive language in our library.  Our collection includes =
Michael Crichton and John Grisham, which of course has some choice words =
in it.

My principal wants more than "Kids hear those words all the time!"   He =
wants strong justifications to give to parents who feel any book with a =
curse word should not be in our collection.

Can anyone help with this?  I'm very frazzled at this point and nothing =
intelligent is coming to mind :)  Any thoughts on this would be greatly =
appreciated.

Angela Vietti O'Kane
Media Specialist
Monticello Trails Middle School
Shawnee, KS 66226
aokane@usd232.org
(913) 422-1100

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