An e-mail from a teacher who’s read the FALLOUT ARC
and wishes she could use it in her classroom, but can’t. Here’s what she says:
Dear Mr. Strasser,
I am a
sixth grade English teacher who just finished Fallout. It was a compelling story and I must confess, I
skipped the last three flashback chapters to keep reading about the
shelter-ettes.
Selfishly, I am hoping you are hard at work on a
sequel! We have read The Diving Bell as
a class in previous years and I initially thought I could use Fallout as a book
club book. Simply loved the topic and how you write.
Here is my dilemma: Thanks in part to a rabid Evangelical parent
I had the misfortune to encounter two years ago, our district now has a lengthy book approval
process. I fear the discussion between
the boys about homosexuality will cause the book to be rejected. (not the
Playboy mention, underage drinking or
nudity in the bunker, mind you.)
Please know
this does not reflect my personal views but rather the realities of classroom
teaching today. I would welcome your thoughts on how I could
present this to the close-minded.
I wrote back: Thanks for your note. I appreciate your kind
words about the book and I am sorry about the situation you're in. The best
answer that I feel I can personally give to your request comes in two parts.
First, the
book has been chosen by the Junior Library Guild (http://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/company/). As you will see from this link, they probably
know as much as anyone about choosing age-appropriate books for readers.
In addition, how about taking the constitutional
approach? Do the people involved in the book approval process believe in the
rights granted under US Constitution? How would they feel about someone else
deciding to take away their constitutional rights? Do they understand that the
First Amendment also protects their right to practice the religion of their
choice? How would they feel if someone came along and told them they could no
longer practice their religion?
We believe in Freedom of Speech. It’s part of the
foundation of our country. The people in question has every right to prevent
their own children from reading a book. But under our Constitution they have no
right to decide for others what they can read.
And she wrote back:
Re: Freedom of speech. It's a great concept but does not really
apply to teachers in the classroom.
(Believe me, I researched and met with ACLU
lawyers at my own expense.) As you are
well aware, educators have been vilified in the media and are under attack. We
are no longer entrusted as professionals to get the best, most thought
provoking books into the hands of readers. It is a very
sad situation.
The overwhelming threat of ligation from lunatics trumps all.
That last paragraph breaks my heart. Welcome to primary
education circa 2013, where teachers’ hands are cuffed and censorship not only
festers, but thrives.
