Norman parent’s questions stop author's visit to school
Norman district officials say content of book is being reviewed
BY JENNIFER GRISWOLD
Comments 
232
Published: September 22, 2009
NORMAN — A visit by a best-selling author to a Norman middle school was canceled after a parent questioned the content of one of the author’s books.
Author Ellen Hopkins was scheduled to speak to eighth-graders at Whittier Middle School today about her career, writing process and books. Hopkins is the author of several New York Times best-selling books for young adults. She was notified Thursday her visit was canceled because a parent at the school requested a review of her book "Glass.” The free-verse novel is the second in a series about a teen dealing with drug addiction. The novel is loosely based on Hopkins’ experience with her own daughter, who was addicted to methamphetamine. Hopkins said it’s ironic her visit was canceled this week because the American Library Association’s Banned Books Week begins Saturday. Norman policy allows parents to exclude their children from events or request a review of curriculum, Superintendent Joe Siano said. A parent requested an official review of "Glass” last week. Because curriculum review is a lengthy process, a decision couldn’t be made before the author’s scheduled visit, he said. "I made a decision that while it was under review, it wasn’t appropriate for the author visit to continue,” Siano said. An internal committee made up of administrators, teachers and librarians will review "Glass” and possibly Hopkins’ other books to see if they should be in middle school libraries, Siano said. The district’s policy is to leave the books on the shelves until a decision is made. "This is not an issue of the author or quality of her work,” he said. "The question is about the appropriateness of the book for this age level.” All of Hopkins’ books deal with serious issues that teens face, she said. She’s trying to show students what could happen if they make bad choices and go down those paths. "I’ve done hundreds of school visits, and I certainly have sensitivity to those audiences,” Hopkins said. "I always focus on an anti-drug message. Instead of trying to shoot the messenger, why don’t you open the book and look at the message.” She describes her books as raw and honest, targeted to readers age 14 and older. "It’s a very honest look, and it needs to be an honest look to make young people think,” she said. "I want to make them look at how their choices affect them in the future and affect those who love them.” Jamie Chosak, director of Kids Right to Read Project, said her organization plans to get involved. The organization is a collaboration of the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression and the National Coalition Against Censorship. It tracks censorship issues across the nation. Chosak said she plans to send a letter to the school district because she feels it’s both censorship and a free speech violation. One parent’s issue with a book shouldn’t keep other students from having the choice to read it, she said. Hopkins, who lives in Nevada, decided to come to Oklahoma anyway because she had already paid for a plane ticket. Whittier librarian Karin Perry, who won the author visit in a charity auction, has scheduled an off-campus event tonight for students and their parents who would still like to hear Hopkins speak.
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Melani, of the people in the article, who is doing that? Even if decided that it should be age/grade restricted or even pulled from the school shelves completely, who is denying your child's right to read the book? The book is probably available at your local public library. And since you have read all of these books, do you own any of them? If so, is anyone stopping your child from reading them?
"Don't want your kid to hear from an author ... Great. Make use of the District's opt out policy"
Why is it ok for someone to "make use" of the the District's opt out policy but NOT ok for them to make use of the "request a review of curriculum" policy (both mentioned in the same sentence)?
For the record I HAVE read all of these books. They are an excellent and accurate portrayal of what can and does happen to you when you get drawn into the hell that is drug addiction.
Oklahoma has a horrible problem with meth. Parents shouldn't be trying to shield their kids from the harsh realities of drug addiction, they need to be exposing them to it and giving them every tool possible to AVOID becoming another statisic. Just telling them NOT to do it isn't going to be enough.
I read "Go Ask Alice" while in Middle School. That was one of the most powerful books I ever read. It also had a lot to do with my avoiding even trying drugs as a teen. I did NOT want to go down that road.
The book IS indeed under review by the District to determine if it should be pulled from the library at the schools. Comparing a books about an accurate portrayal of drug addiction to providing Playboy is just, well, idiotic.
As to the retraction of an invitation being censorship, the author is not being denied the right to speak, only the right to speak in a particular public school, pending a review. The term "censorship" has become so devalued as to render it meaningless. Her book has not been banned. No one has suggested that the book be banned from the school. A student would apparently still be free to bring it to school if his or her parent provided it. Even if it is removed from the middle school, no one has suggested removing it from book stores or other libraries.
Where would, Jamie Chosak, director of Kids Right to Read Project, stop? Do we need to provide Playboy and Penthouse in school libraries? What about the Kama Sutra? Jocelyn Elders stated that our children need to be taught to masturbate when they are young, so should our grade schools and middle schools should carry instruction manuals on various techniques? Denying these materials to grade school and middle school students is just as much censorship as removing Hopkins' book would be, and more so than retracting the invitation for her to speak.
The point is that at the very least, some things are not appropriate for certain ages of children. If parents want to make these materials available to their children, that is their business. But it is not the role of schools, or government in general, to introduce children to materials that their parents consider inappropriate.
You were right by the way- the lecture was clearly about the drug experence, not creative writing.
I hope you have a good day, and enjoy the sunshine out there, it is a nice change!
stinkerpants, Oklahoma City - Sep 22, 2009 at 9:38 am
[No one has banned the book (it is simply under review)]
I still don’t understand how one parent could cause this event to be cancelled?
Brent, Tulsa - Sep 22, 2009 at 3:28 pm
[One parent didn’t cause the event to get cancelled (the principal made a decision that since the author’s book was under review, it wouldn’t be appropriate for the school to have her speak)]
Only in this backwards state would an author be banned from being able to speak to middle school children.
Jeff, Oklahoma City - Sep 22, 2009 at 3:45 pm
[The suthor was not banned from speaking at the school.]
To those of you who are outraged by the graphic scenes in this book, and have successfully created enough fear for administration to ban the book...
cheryl, Norman - Sep 22, 2009 at 9:28 pm
[The administration hasn’t banned the book or even restricted access (it is simply under review)]
I find it ridiculous that ONE parent gets to decide what the children of hundreds of other parents read.
Whitney, Oklahoma City - Sep 22, 2009 at 9:49 pm
[One parent didn’t decide anything (while the book is under review, it is still on the schools shelves) and it is being reviewed by an “internal committee made up of administrators, teachers and librarians”]
Works for me, but I don't let my kids run wild, which is probably more of a factor to our success.
I, too, am a school teacher and you are correct, we deal with a lot of things that parents might not realize but that does not mean they need to get a mirror. Parents and teachers have to work together for the children whom we care about. Education is not only about teaching children the content anymore. It has become a collaborative effort from everyone who affects the nurturing of the child, that includes parents, teachers, and the community.
Thanks Anita for clearing up the matter.
As far as the author being a terrible parent, she never pretends to be a perfect parent. And until all of you self-proclaimed perfect parents out there realize that nobody is perfect, you will never get her message.
I agree with the fact that her books are for 14 year olds and up...so why have her speak at a middle school? Well, she tried to move the venue to one of the Norman high schools, but was told that she couldn't even do that. I find it ridiculous that ONE parent gets to decide what the children of hundreds of other parents read.
Each time you fight to remove a book, you are removing a resource that could have helped a child. Or a parent.
I think it's ironic that there's a "Report as inappropriate" link below every comment. I think ALA needs to investigate that as well. We should ban push-button censorship, for the good of the children!
I've read the book, I've commented on it here, but apparently my informed opinion isn't good enough to be published on this fine, upstanding website.
You sure are defensive for not having been mentioned specifically. I guess we know the truth about you without having to meet/see you. Thanks for falling into the trap dumbass.
It is always easy to spot when they show their respect for others or opinions different from their own with such steady respectful civil phrases like "ignorant parents" or the ever popular "a few morons who have failed as parents" or the crowd pleasing favorite "self-righteous pompous asses".
Simply amazing they will never see in a mirror what their words tell the rest of us without ever seeing them at all.
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Nature-Community/Great-Places-Norman-Oklahoma.aspx?page=2
Things are changing no thanks to the people who leave our great state. Ignorant naysayers are the ones who continue the negative myth about Oklahoma.
have at all times acted properly and within the bounds of the law,"
Pendarvis said in a statement. "We intend to defend this lawsuit vigorously" Yet, you can read the arrest record of the main employee charged with abuse of these students at http://tinyurl.com/mt7h2z. Before her arrest, this teacher was moved from her position at an elementary school in Norman to the Alternative School. One child in this case has Dyslexia and and Dysgraphia, was improperly placed in the class, and has never had to be "restrained" since leaving the teachers class. Perhaps the public should request from the district through FOI how much money in taxpayer funds are used to pay attorney's to the Tulsa law firm. Yes, I agree, Norman lost and Putnam City gained.
Only in this backwards state would an author be banned from being able to speak to middle school children.
And why not?
This is the same state the regularly sees books banned from schools that are taught in other states (e.g. "Catcher in The Rye") and this is the same state and city where an Oscar winning movie ("The Tin Drum") was deemed child pornography by a senile old judge and agents of the Gestapo - oops- I meant the OKC police department - illegally got the names of people who were rented said movie and went to their homes to get the tape!
I am so sick and tired of the religious right dictating anything and everything here.
This state is a national laughingstock-every time you turn around school officials or elected officials are doing something idiotic.
From Sally Kern to Jim Inhofe to Tom Coburn-all a disgrace.
Until the people of Oklahoma wake up and stop this insanity your state will remain the butt of jokes.
There is a aspects to calling something or someone facist any way Chris- There is a "name" to describe the idealogy, and then there are the actions, or behaviors, or the symptoms of facist.
I would agree with you that the pre ordination view is very whack and devoid of ethics. I have read before what you posted early as a recount of a conversation, and it is very similar to logic one would expect a facist to use.
The term might be correct for them but sect, or cult, authortarism or maybe even calvinist might fit as well.
Again, the actions are like symptoms- many illnesses have the same symptoms, say a fever, but the actual illness is specific and may not be say, swine flu. Which is what the folks at c house would have if they caught the flu, even if it not H1N1 (weak attempt at humor).
Your were exhuberant perhaps, but it is not a make or break it action.
It is tough when there a some engaged in civil discourse while at the same time they are some engaged in character assassination, all in the same thread.
Keep posting up your thoughts please!
It is amazing how much time soemone from Seattle spends reading an Oklahoma newspaper. Do they not know how to write up there in Seattle? Perhaps they are about as adept at writing as they are at supporting a pro baskeetball team. Get over it dude, we have the Thunder! Maybe you can go support your Seahawks..oh yeah..they suck too. Maybe they should move here also so they can have some support.
But this was to be about creative writing for young people.
The topic does morph a bit in the rendition.
Methamphetamine use in Oklahoma is about 42% higher than the national average. Wes Lane and Kim Henry put together the "Crystal Darkness Oklahoma" campaign earlier this year. But Norman Public Schools ban an author that has seen what meth can do to a child and could, potentially, save lives.
Pathetic NPS.
;)
In the military it was part of the concept of force multiplication- if you are a small force then make the noise of a large unit to impact the minds of both your opponent and those civilian base you want to be on your side.
Much of the "chatter" one is often getting now is from a smaller but more organized and vocal constituancy who understands they can make up for numbers with volume.
The far left, and the far right, are very energized to influence the moderates in the middle as much as they can, in a disproportionate level to their actual ranks.
The "middle ground" is too worried about just hanging on to what they have right now, and issues such as this just slip past them I am afraid.
"Education is a fine thing for people that need it."
A corallary to that concept is a strong personal belief two wrongs never make a right- if one's tenor is extreme and not modulated the correct response is NOT to equal the tone.
IF I personally get to the tone or demenor of the person I personally feel is "out there" and/or acting in a inapropriate fashion than I am losing too. Part of my assuredness in my conviction is the security to not sink to a lesser place least I be no better than that I revile.
Perhaps it is silly, but there ya go- I try to practice it regularly in my life.
I also believe the opprotunity to actually sway others with logic and reasoning only comes by not taking too emphatic a route in response. Again, the two wrongs would not make a right.
To re-enforce you statement- there is way too much slinging of what is conceived of as the worst possible term in ones mind onto the thoughts and ideas of overs if one disagrees-
Fascist, Socialist, Communist, traitor, racist are all slung way too often like they are explictives.
Folks could all stand from doing what Rachel is doing- look it up before you use it- if it does not actually "fit" as a description, then don't use it!
And Rachel, you make me blush- thank you for the kind words, I am no perfect parent, but when my wife died I really felt the need to "step up" the level and quality of my time with my daughter- I have no illusions, she will go down some wrong paths and have values different than mine (I full well expect her to register as a democrat when her time comes) but we both work at respect and communication. Between all the teen drama! She wears all the time a small sterling compass I gave her for Christmas a couple of years back- to remind her always to use her own internal sense of right and correct and good.
In my life I have seen way too many valuable human being squandered- and my daughter is the most important thing in my world...
And you know Rachel, give yourself a break there kiddo- from what I read that you posted in many strings, you turned out pretty good! Your parents might not have totally ever understood but I would like to think they are proud enough of your sense of conviction and smarts.... I would be proud for you know or talk with my daughter...
How does one person have the right to cancel a subject that the majority of students want and need to hear.Just use "common sense" is all administration has to do and in this case they did not.Sad to hear.
This kind of stuff is what is driving our god educators from the profession.
So let's break it down --
Socialism: advocate the creation of a society that allows for the widespread application of modern technology to rationalise economic activity by eliminating the anarchy in production of capitalism, allowing for wealth and power to be distributed based on the amount of work expended in production
Fascism: a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition
Nazi: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazism
You can do the Nazi research yourself.
In other words, be clear with your message and do not pepper it with generalizations lest you not be taken seriously.
When I was 14 - all was not well with the world. I was an emotional wrecking ball. I did a lot of things that while they were not good or healthy for me to do - I do not regret. I went to the school of hardknocks. I was never given the talk about drugs, sex or alcohol. I was binge drinking at 15 and pill-popping by 18. I was promiscuous from an early age. I don't think a book could've saved me from my self-created demise but an understanding adult could have made a difference.
The issue (again) is not a book. The issue is the lack of (good) parenting in our state. David is a fine example of a good parent.
She was not there to read from this book, or any of her books. She was there to talk with the students about how to effectively do creative writing...
I would wager she would have been willing to "self censor" if she had been asked to make sure the book was not the subject of the discussion.
More likely would have been the book being brought up in Q&A by a concerned parent.
IF the stink had not been raised, the kids would have not known of any controversial issues at all, it would have just been a interesting guest lecture that got them out of "regular" stuff for a while... that's all.
What is also sad it that the medium is what these folks are focused on instead of the message- I have read this book, and I you might have too- the message is cearly not pro sex, or pro drugs- it is a painfully graphic tale of the consquences of the choices and actions for main character-
:)
And it is similar in some regards in how this is a indeed a issue of ideaology as much as anything- the intollerance of any ideas divergent from ones own is what one might call a "symptom" of a facist movement.
If one is on the side of acceptance of right of others to opinions other than their own, the divergence in complex issues into differences of opinion and tollerance and respect of others and their views, then civility in interactions with them even if their opinions vary should also be part of the ethos- or they are themselves exhibiting the behavor they don't like...
give em a break-
John posted up what Fascism is, and it's nothing like you're claiming. So, you're way off base and are ignorant.
Friend Gary- While we do have a touch of check and balance right now in Oklahoma, I doubt it will stay that way in the next round of elections- we will have a republician super majority soon enough- but conservative fundamentalist republicans I am afraid.
Oklahoma has polled to the right of center for the fourty years I have been aware of such data being collected with progressive movement more to the right, not the center.
The last legislative session had some rather brazen politics in my mind, legislation was passed and the gov vetoed it, then the legislature turned around restructed the bill and sent it to a vote of the people in the fall. Popular referindums have been the undoing of politics and government in California- present a simple statement with a catch phrase to the voters but leave the complex nuance of figuring out how to pay for it off or enforce it or if it is even constitutional out of the measure- jeez.
:)
The visit and lecture were to be on effective creative writing, not the content of this book. I would imagine the author would have even cooperated in making sure to not broach the subject if she had been asked.
The comment "How can we tell them that is okay to read things, but not okay to act that way?" is interesting and tells a lot-
Part the power of good writing is exactly what you seem to fear- the ability to describe and then convey their impacts- This fear would suggest if your child was to read "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclar they will go become meetpackers and drop in stuff you don't want in a sausage?
Again- I read this book after my duaghter read it and wanted me to read it. And then we talked about it. I can assure you that my daughter drew all of the lessons from it the author intended very clearly without any interdiction on my part. She did have a few questions and I answered them- I am not afraid of knowledge or ideas.
I have always seen room for both viens- the active exposure to as many divergent ideas and points of view as possible make you stronger, not weaker. In turn I have my own time with my daughter that I endevor to instill my beliefs and values to her. But the two are entirely different items- knowledge is not corrupting or evil, if you have done well with your childern, they will have their own internal compass that will help guide them.
For what it is worth Rachel, this is another point you and I agree on- ignorace and fear are the enemies. George will have a time trying to find facts and data to show- the results of ignorace are pretty documented in terms of sex ed. And on occasion I have used the "what ever you do, don't do this" on my daughter to get to take a different path! :)
George- how is your day in Lone Grove? You are so close yet so far- again- ideas and knowledge are not the enemies here, and is not preparing their child for the world they will face if they hide the world's less than savory acpects away from them. What you do have as you point out is the ability to help provide them a good strong internal compass to guide them through the amgiguities of our world.
Doug Coe, David Coe’s father and leader of The Family fellowship going back to the mid ’60s, likes to call The Family “The Christian Mafia.” I knew Coe when I was part of The Family. He explained what it means to be a chosen politician.
Talking to another man, he said, “Let me explain to you the concept of ‘chosen.’ Suppose I hear you raped three little girls. What would I think of you?”
The man says, “You would think I was awful, a monster.”
And Doug Coe said, “No, I would not, because you’re chosen, and when you’re chosen, the normal rules don’t apply.”
I think we are VERY aware of what fascism is...are you?
Uh, it's spelled grammar.
You can't be serious? Can they not read Spongebob Squarepants because you fear they may drown while trying to live at the bottom of the ocean?
OMG. No one can do that! But Trey can. And he does. And I learn something new. Something dark. Perverse, even. But the monster and me embrace it, beg him for more. Oh you like that, do you, you nasty little girl? If Brad were here, doing this to you, I might have to kill him. Either that, or ask him to share.
Thank you to the parent who actually cared enough to read what their child brought home and to bring it to all of our attention. I wish more of us cared so much about what is being fed to our students.
I agree completely with your last post. I too wish there was a self-edit button. Unfortunately, others on here don't even know they need it!
Sure, drug use is a challenging topic that is scary for parents and kids, but where better to learn how to tackle these issues than school? Where better than school for a child to learn to either solidify or change their beliefs, based on a frank, open discussion of a difficult topic? Is this sort of discussion going on at home? I'm sure in some homes it is, and one could make a compelling argument that home is a better place to learn difficult lessons about challenging topics, but I digress.
Weather or not a topic is difficult or controversial should not be criteria upon which to base banning a book, speaker or any other form of expression. School kids, scratch that, humans with a currently beating heart need the opportunity to learn about and discuss all topics, weather they are ugly and scary or not. The ugly and scary ones need to be discussed even more than the soft, easy ones!
I'm not going to make an ignorant, uninformed and short sighted comment about Oklahomans, because that's the state I grew up in and the state I love the most. I've lived a lot of different places and seen ignorance everywhere: Oklahoma, Illinois, Texas, Tennessee, and many other places I have visited.
What disturbs me most about the national climate today, especially in regards to politics, is that too many people cannot abide listening to opposing viewpoints. Rather than engage in intelligent debate and an honest examining of issues, we have people hurling insults, engaging in censorship and generally acting like angry buffoons.
When I was an idealistic, naive college student I wrote a naive, idealistic song that included this idealistic, naive line: "We don't have to see eye to eye, to go through life hand in hand".
If only more people felt the same way...
http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1676
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=450&Itemid=336
http://thetyee.ca/Life/2009/03/25/SexEd/
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/erbe/2009/09/18/too-much-religion-leads-to-high-teen-pregnancy-rates.html
Perhaps you should stay in Lone Grove. We have REAL problems in the cities here.
-=-
I also have no problem with the author's visit to the school. She wasn't going to come in and give an author's reading of the book's graphic scenes. She was going to talk about the process of writing and likely answer questions about getting published. A few students have likely read her books and might ask questions about where she gets the ideas for her stories. These are perfectly inoccuous things for kids to get to hear.
Oh well, censorship has been around a while and it will be here when we're all gone.
--
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this book is about a girl's drug addiction: Not only does Kristina use meth constantly, but eventually she deals it for the Mexican Mafia. There are some fairly graphic depictions of sex, including a first orgasm and doing "Something dark. Perverse." Kristina's drug use gets her kicked out of the house; eventually she loses custody of her young son and begins committing crimes to support her habit (even robbing her mother). By the end of the book, Kristina is pregnant again.
Kristina lies, steals, and neglects her young son -- all so she can keep doing drugs. The consequences are made painfully obvious.
Some fairly graphic depictions of sex, including a first orgasm and "Something dark. Perverse." Kristina's boyfriend doesn't mind when he finds her in bed with his cousin. By the end of the book, Kristina is pregnant again.
Some fairly graphic depictions of sex, including a f…
The mature subject matter is matched with plenty of mature language, including the F-word, "s--t," etc.
That's probably true with public education as well. What seems to be lost in this discussion is the fact that the school's librarian used her own money to participate in this online auction and win the author visit. Good for you, Karin Perry!
I would just like to make sure these kids are receiving the education and knowledge they need to make it in the world or the parents have not done them any long term favors....
Bobby- you point is interesting and valid, there are lots of reasons behind why folks elect to home school, and the quality of the education they receive is the best of reasons to me.
Issues of fright and fear over exposure to ideas that differ from mine is just about the worst reason I could imagine...
http://www.homeschool.com/ --- for any who ever think about doing this...
I am not saying I don't doubt there are many capable and even accelerated kids home schooled, I would just like some better accountability in the process-
Many states require as much of home schooling, I don't know, so help me out- does Oklahoma?
Shouldn't there have been a review of the book before it ever hit the shelves of this library? What an embarrassing situation.
As for diversity, that's a different story. Schools DO make a concerted effort to promote diversity, and with good reason. If you look at the demographics of our state, you can clearly see that we're not quite as white as we used to be. Still, 20 years ago, the language arts curriculum was almost exclusively filled with white, male authors. (Remember that S.E. Hinton wrote under her initials to make her work more acceptable to those who wouldn't want to read a book written by a woman.)
School is reflective of society. It is full of people from the community. In times past, the community was made of people who weren't that different from each other...in appearance, in behaviors, in values and norms. That's different now.
"Glass", the book in question was read by my my own daughter last spring, and then based on her recommendation I read it. It is not glamourizing any aspects of drug use.
I am not claiming "airs" on anyone, but really try the approach my daughter and I use- we both are avid readers, and are always giving books to one anohter to read, and then we discuess them.
I don't see the "bury the head in the sand and act like whatever does not exsist" as a viable option when it comes to my child- the world is full of tough situations and I know in her life she will have her fair share of choices to make.
It is only by giving her adaquate knowledge, and then conveying my own opinions and values in specific discussion will be able to equip her to deal with those situations when, not if, they arise in her own life.
I find parents who want to censor a curious lot- they seem to feel by just exposing the ideas they will prevent it from being an issue to their kids...
Information and lots in active involvement with your kids is the way to help them. Hiding them and refusing the needed conversations is hurting them.
I was also explaining to him lately how people have worked to ban books in this country for years. Such classics as Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. I've let him know that people who work to ban books are closed-minded fools who believe others are too stupid to decide for themselves.
It is good the author will still have a chance to speak to the students AND PARENTS who want to hear her.
As for the indoctrination comment by Bobby, I think that's a little bit far fetched.
Hmmmm, the book is simply under review. While under review it remains on the shelves. No student is being denied access to it or their choice to read it. Even if pulled from the schools shelves completely or age-restricted, isn't the book still available at the public library? Therefore, there is NO CENSORSHIP.
"This is not an issue of the author or quality of her work,” he said. "The question is about the appropriateness of the book for this age level.”
Again there is NO CENSORSHIP.
"Whittier librarian Karin Perry, who won the author visit in a charity auction, has scheduled an off-campus event tonight for students and their parents who would still like to hear Hopkins speak."
There goes the free speech violation allegation.