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Book sparks national controversy
Published March 1, 2007
The latest Newbery Medal winner, “The Higher Power of Lucky” by Susan Patron, addresses many real life issues, including being an orphan in foster care and anonymous 12-step programs, but the book’s mention of one word has sparked controversy among librarians across the country.
The main character, Lucky Trimble, a 10-year-old orphan, overhears a man in an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting say a rattlesnake bit his dog, Roy, on the scrotum.
The word “scrotum,” referring to the male dog’s genitalia, has left the book banned in many secondary schools and public libraries. Many librarians have said the author did not know her audience — children ages 9-12 — and others have said the word was used as a means to shock readers.
Though “The Higher Power of Lucky” has brought back the age-old debate over banning books, when most local school librarians were asked about the controversy, they agreed the book should be judged on its overall merit, not merely on one word.
“If a book is award-winning, I wouldn’t typically have a reason to ban it,” said Lisa Colbert, librarian at Alabama Avenue Middle School. “In this case, it doesn’t sound like the word is used in a sexual connotation.”
Ann George, librarian at Evans Elementary School, said she is in the process of ordering books and didn’t know there was anything controversial about this particular book.
“Since it was a winner, I was going to order it, but now that I know about this, I don’t know if I want to,” George said, citing that certain books are more appropriate for older age groups.
George said when faced with a controversial book, such as this, she normally orders the book, reads it and weighs its literary merit.
Each area school system has a procedure for dealing with controversial books.
Kathy Dove, librarian at Douglas Middle School, said the county schools use a board policy, which adheres to the Library Bill of Rights. She said if there is a complaint about a certain book, a committee will review the book to judge its merit.
“We don’t censor or ban books from our libraries,” Dove said.
“The Higher Power of Lucky” will be available at DMS, Dove said, explaining that the word “scrotum” does not pose a problem – especially for students at the middle school level.
“We honor all parent censorship because it’s the parents’ right to say what their children can and cannot read,” Dove said.
Melissa McRae, librarian at Boaz Middle School, said the Boaz City School System also has a policy and procedure for challenging books. And if she personally finds there might be a problem with a book, she would talk it over with the principal and curriculum coordinator.
“If something is more controversial, I do think about it a little more,” McRae said, explaining that she is pretty selective about what she orders. “But I usually order most award-winning books without question.”
“I have ordered this book, and we will carry it,” McRae said.
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