Thanks for the additional info, vpa2019. I might have to reread Killing Mr Griffin. I don’t remember it being anywhere near bad enough for people to have such strong objections to it.
This article shows how pieces were probably planned.
I’m still looking forward to seeing concrete examples of what was wrong with the other books. Otherwise, this is looking a bit shady.
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I don’t give a hoot about Youngkin more than any other Person X. It looks like FL set this up for one company to prevail. Chances are others “in the know” own stock in the company and are likely to profit.
But FL can come clean and print out the problems with the other books if they choose to do so. Not just that there are problems. Specifically what those problems are.
For me at this point, it’s a huge caution flag.
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Yep. Follow the money. Always.
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But the DOE said: more than half the textbooks being disallowed incorporated “prohibited topics or unsolicited strategies, including CRT,” not because they didn’t meet standards. Not clear that they have provided any examples.
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We might want to leave the math textbook situation. It’s not really pertinent to book banning but mostly it’s getting into dangerous territory.
My questions have been answered and I’m hoping this doesn’t get shut down.
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Actually, I think it is quite relevant, because in both cases, the issue gets spun up out of orbit, but a more nuanced inspection would reveal that certain books werent “banned” at all, just others chosen in lieu therof. Like the TN school board that dropped requring Maus and substituted Night, the issues are usually more complex than initially presented in the media.
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So this isn’t them? Traded on Nasdaq…
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You are correct, they did go public a few years ago. It has been a while since I had any dealings. Super smart people.
From my perspective it’s all similar - and I don’t give a hoot about specific politicians really. Politicians using “whatever” excuse for their own gain isn’t bound by party lines IME.
But to me it’s a caution flag until FL publishes what, exactly, caused the other books not to be allowed.
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Has anyone here ever had a book your child was reading “through school” that you questioned? Did you do anything to address the book with the school???
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I didn’t and was impressed by the books my kids read and thought that the discussions were thought provoking and interesting. I’m thrilled that my kids teachers were open minded to the vast array of literature that they were exposed to.
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I had no problems, but some students and parents objected to Beloved due to the sexual violence scenes. Some found it triggering.
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There were a couple of books that I thought were a bit much, but I just discussed that with my kids. One D read 19 Minutes in middle school as part of a voluntary book club run by her English teacher. I knew there was a sex scene and warned her. I thought the teachers and kids handled the discussion well from what D told me. Past age 13, I knew what my kids read, but never limited what they read. Never would I have gone to school about it.
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Spud was required summer reading for my son’s 10th grade year. I read it first, then complained to the teacher and the school that the class needed to be reading higher level books. It was an Honors level 10th grade class and Spud is listed as good for grades 6-8. WTH???
Our school often gets lower than average SAT scores for the Verbal part. If the school would have teachers assign grade level reading (if not higher for honors level), it’s my belief that scores would improve. Instead, it’s been common for an 8th grade teacher to have to use a 4th grade level book in her classes, “so kids who aren’t up to that level don’t feel left out.”
In high school I had to assist kids with Keystone prep one day and found out the kids knew what Antonym and Synonym were (review of the day). They didn’t know what Porthole and Tedious meant… as a class, not individuals. Perhaps if they used grade level books more vocab would be in them?
This book was my way of being able to put in a formal complaint. My guy didn’t have to read it for class - I forgot if he got a different book or was just exempt.
FWIW, he read it anyway, but it’s a beach read, not an Honors Level 10th grade English class read.
Not long after lodging my complaint that teacher retired. The new one is much better at selecting appropriate level books. I have no idea if my complaint did anything, but it helped me feel better.
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Of course, many parents have no idea what kids are reading or what the content of that reading is. That “serve and return” dialogue that happens with reading/reading aloud when children are young (questions asked, questions answered) needs to continue after children start reading on their own.
I’m surprised Things Fall Apart isn’t on FL’s list - or maybe after I type this it will be soon…
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I am too. My kids did not enjoy that book. They joke that they would love if it was banned!
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