what do you do when your 12 year old brings home a school library book that is way to nasty to be out in i?

Question

public. and certainly not in a school library

Answer 1

you send it to my house

Answer 2

How well do you know the librarian or teacher? If you have a good rapport with either of them, just take it and show it to them and see what they say.
If not, you might try showing it to some other like-minded parents to gain some clout before approaching the school. Since it was in the library and not a mandatory assigned reading text, they may be able to defend their position to have it as a choice, since not all parents may feel the same as you--it probably depends on the political leanings of the school board, administration, and the standards of the community. It's just one more symptom of the coarsening of our society that themes and language once considered inappropriate for most adults is now commonplace in materials aimed at young readers. (For instance, why do kids need to know about the sexual orientation of Dumbledore?)

You also want to talk to your 12 year old. This won't be the last time he/she comes face to face with things out in the world that don't match the values you are teaching at home. You need to work on building the strength of character within him/her to know what you consider appropriate whether it's something offered at school, at a friend's home, or anywhere else. Eventually they will be on their own to decide what is too "nasty" for them, so this is a good opportunity to help them develop their own moral compass.

Answer 3

There are library books in several schools that really are not age appropriate...not every book gets fully reviewed before it is purchased. Many are purchased according to reviews in periodicals like School Library Review (I believe that's the name of it).

I would bring it up to the school administration, and stick to your guns.. You are the parent, and your tax dollars are being used to purchase the thing. If it's not age appropriate, you have every right to make a complaint. Your child's education, when it's all said and done, is your responsibility - the school is a supplement (albeit a large one) in the process. You do have a say in what goes on there.

Answer 4

Nasty like needs to be cleaned, or nasty like adult content. She's 12, let her grow up a little and read it! It's from the school library! What did you read when you were 12? You should be glad that your child is actually taking the time to read anything.

But out of curiosity, what book was it?

Answer 5

What book was it? If it was in the school library then it must have been approved to be there. Are you sure it's just not your perception on the book that makes it nasty? If you truly feel that the book is inappropriate talk to the principal about it, but generally if it's there, then it's been approved as okay to be in the library.

Answer 6

Contact the school librarian and express your views. If necessary go further. Ask for a written explanation of the school or district policy concerning the selection of books and other materials.

Answer 7

what book was it? is it famous? what do you think is nasty?
What you think is bad, people might think you are over reacting.
When i was a kid, there was a book that the teacher read to us. When she flipped the page where the main character jumped out of the bath, you could see his butt. Nobody thought anything of it, but the teacher took it upon herself to color some shorts on him. As a 6 year old i though she was being rediculous.
Are you being rediculous?
Again, what book is it, let us know why it was so bad.

Answer 8

Take it to the Board of Education.