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Sept. 20, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: The LDMS administration has begun banning books from its middle school library, starting with the novel “Kiss Number 8,” because a parent made the vile accusation that the school is “grooming” children.
The novel is about a teen discovering that she’s bisexual.
Parents should make decisions about their own children, not about other people’s children. If a parent doesn’t want their child accessing books, they should follow current school policy and submit a letter indicating that.
But it is unacceptable for a parent to make parental decisions for other children by removing books to satisfy their personal preferences.
This novel is the first target. The complaining parent claimed the library is “flooded” with books she personally thinks would “irrevocably harm” her children, and she wants the school to “investigate” and create “an open review” so parents can force the removal of more books.
She also demanded “an open review of the process” – and I agree. It is unclear why the administration removed the book or what criteria will be used in the future.
Defining middle-school appropriate books should be simple: Did a reputable professional publisher designate it to be appropriate for middle-school readers? Did reputable professional reviewers or award judges confirm it to be appropriate for middle-school readers? Did a reputable professional librarian select it for middle-school readers?
Any other questions are about private preferences that cannot be allowed to determine what is or is not generally available in a school library. CHRIS GAVALER Lexington
