McMinnville School Board to review book challenge policy in meeting
If the board finds that the committee followed the correct district reviewing process of the seven challenged books, then the board will follow the recommendation to keep the books on the shelves at Mac High library.
The committee was made up of district educators, a librarian and parents met over the summer to consider the books, which a parent had sought to remove saying they included sex, violence, references to transgender issues and other content the challenger didn’t believe to be appropriate for high school students.
All seven books were read in their entirety by at least two members of the committee.
Cindy Allen of McMinnville asked in May that seven titles be removed from the MHS library: “Beyond Magenta” by Susan Kuklin; “Me, Earl and the Dying Girl” by Jesse Andrews Nolun; “Looking for Alaska” by John Green; and four books by Ellen Hopkins, “Perfect,” “Smoke,” “Glass” and “Tricks.”
Initially, Allen also called for removing and replacing two other books. In conjunction with the organization Parents Rights in Education, she asked for removing “Gender Queer, A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe, saying the book is sexually graphic and pornographic, and that it contains “how to” information; and “Let’s Talk About It,” saying it contains graphic illustrations of naked bodies and content that should be covered in health class, not a library book.
Mac High officials upheld her request about those two books and removed them. The other complaints were sent to the district level committee.
The challenger appealed to the superintendent, who upheld the committee’s recommendation. Now the board will consider the challenger’s appeal.
The meeting can be attended virtual over Zoom. Visit msd.k12.or.us and click on the Monday meeting on the homepage to attend virtually.
Comments
Fiddler
This echoes Project 2025: book banning, a Christian country. Back to the ‘50s and earlier.
We were never a Christian country, we were always allowed to practice whatever religion we wished. Freedom of religion is in the Constitution (it is law).
BTW, ‘sovereignty of the states’ is not in the Constitution; it is in the Declaration of Independence (it is not law.
Bigfootlives
Fiddler, before you go back on the meds, can you point me to the freedom of religion law in the Constitution?
johan16
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
Lulu
Thanks, Ms Allen, for calling out "Looking for Alaska." I read the first few chapters online. The characters portrayed were believable, completely three-dimensional, with a wry humor appropriate for their specific age group. I ordered it for a nephew who just started college. I look forward to checking out the other "wicked, nasty" books soon.
igotnothing
I can't believe book banning is a "thing". Why does ONE opinion (organized religion, prudish, oblivious or clueless) rule or stir the pot over what everyone else can choose to read? I realize that there will be a meeting to decide, but good grief. Usually only makes one want to read the book(s) more.
Bleepbloop
Who is this Ms. Allen? Does she have children in local public schools? After a cursory online search, all I can find out about her is that she was on a “parents right” podcast and that she runs a chapter of a book banning group.
Otis
Although, I suppose a really heavy book might be dangerous. Maybe one with sharp edges or something. Let's just ban the heavy ones!
Lulu
What an epiphany! This country should reintroduce that memorable book series from the '50s starring Dick, Jane, Sally, Spot, Puff, Mother, and Father. No profanity, angst, questioning or self-doubt. As an added incentive, it would create yet another entire generation of (safe and gullible) illiterates. A population easily duped.