Book Challenge

[Carole Bierwiler <CHBmedia@AOL.COM>]

    We, a new school, have already received a book challenge on a book which
the school board ordered as part of our elementary school basic collection.
The book is Sammy Keyes and the Hollywood Mummy, by Wendelin Van Draanen. Our
school is K-5 and the collection reflects the varied ages and interests of
the student body as well as material to support curriculum and school goals.
Our selection policy states the same and follows the school board guidelines.
The parent is objecting to this book without having read the entire thing
(she told the principal she had read 1 chapter, and told me she read 5). She
objected to "parent leaving her child to selfishly to pursue an acting
career" and "not willing to acknowledge her own child," "drug overdose," and
a "60 something man hooking up with a 30 something woman."
    We have a book challenge committee which has read the book and will meet
after the Thanksgiving holiday. I have numerous (all are positive) book
reviews which vary in the recommended ages from 10 to13-14, and grades 5-8 or
9. Obviously the book would be suitable for some, but not all of our
students, but the parent is insisting that it be removed completely so as not
to cause "irreparable harm" to innocent minds...
    I have read the book and found that the theme is the relationship of
Sammy to her mother and as the book progresses the mother admits she has not
been the positive role model for her daughter that she should have been.
Sammy sees her mother in a new light as well, as she realizes that her mother
is a person too, and not only a mother and that she has unrealized dreams
which she has a right to pursue.  As for drug overdose, there isn't any.
However, there is a murder which Sammy and her friend investigate and solve,
and a strange 60 year old house master of the group home for aspiring young
actresses. He wants to marry Sammy's mother in order to "bring back" the wife
who died many years ago, and believes Sammy's mother to be her reincarnation.
Sammy's mother does not want to marry him and makes that plain from the
start, although he puts poison into her wine when they go out to eat, and
only Sammy's quick thinking saves her mother's life.
    The parent has threatened to go to the school board, and to the news if
this isn't resolved to her satisfaction. I am not looking forward to meeting
on this challenge, although I feel that the book should stay on the shelves
and will defend it. I feel that my principal will agree with the parent
rather than cause more sparks to fly. Does anyone have any words of wisdom
for me? I have already read the challenge e-mails in the archives. Thanks.
Carole Bierwiler
Sunset Lakes Elementary
Miramar, FL 33029
CHBMedia@aol.com

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