Posted on 12/03/2004 10:47:10 AM PST by MaineRepublic
NORTH BERWICK, Maine — Plans for freshman at Noble High School to read J.D. Salinger’s "The Catcher in the Rye" in January may be in jeopardy following Thursday night’s School Administrative District 60 Board of Directors meeting.
Andrea B. Minnon, a Lebanon parent whose 14-year-old son, Spencer, is a freshman at the high school, demanded the book be pulled from the curriculum because of its content.
She submitted a Citizen’s Challenge of Educational Media form to the board outlining her problems with the book’s place in public schools.
Minnon explained she never read the book but scanned through it and researched it using SparkNotes. Minnon took issue with some of the lewd language of the book, which was published in 1951 and is narrated by the main character, Holden Caulfield.
It is a coming-of-age tale depicting adolescent alienation after Caulfield is expelled from prep school and spends the next couple days trying to understand the adult world, eventually ending up in a psychiatrist’s office.
The American Library Association ranks the novel at 13 out of the 100 most frequently banned books in 2000. The book gained unfortunate notoriety in 1980 when Mark Chapman was carrying it when he shot and killed singer John Lennon outside a New York City hotel.
"As far as the content goes, I personally don’t think this is a classic," Minnon told the board, repeating some of the swear words in the book she found by "just quickly viewing it."
District Superintendent Paul Andrade said it was Minnon’s right to request the book be pulled from the curriculum. He told her the district has a process for dealing with these requests and that the educational review committee will examine whether the novel is appropriate before the book is studied.
The committee will be formed early next week and begin work right away, Andrade said. The committee — which will be comprised of two teachers, two school board members, two parents, and two students — will determine if the book is appropriate in general, and if so should students in the ninth grade be reading it, Andrade said. "We are going to address it," he said, adding Minnon can be involved in the process.
When Minnon told Andrade students were set to read the book in January, he responded, "They won’t until we work our way through the process ... I’ll tell you that."
Minnon, her voice cracking with emotion, focused her efforts on two pages of the book, pages 91 and 92 in her edition, that detailed the main character’s time spent with a prostitute. She said the main character, Caulfield, is depicted as a depressed, drop-out student who smokes, drinks, uses foul language, and is a "pervert."
"There is underlying perversion, using girls for pleasure," Minnon said, waving a copy of the book in the air. She said it was not appropriate in a co-ed environment.
Minnon said the book is below the level of work and standards for students in ninth grade. "This is a book that is below ninth grade standards," Minnon said. "We are not expecting enough."
"I don’t think this book is held in very high standards," she said. "We’re shooting low here as far as what kids can be reading in the classroom."
Minnon said she was told by her son’s teacher that the book was chosen because it tells the tale of the individual from the male perspective. Minnon said she was told it was meant to balance the curriculum after students read "Speak," a story about a female outcast battling her past after being raped at a party.
"I want you to understand the awkwardness this puts my child in, and me in," Minnon told the board. She was going to read passages from the book she found distasteful and inappropriate, but was asked not to by board members who said it would not add to her case.
Stephen Geller, one of three directors representing Berwick, asked Minnon to refrain from reading the passages out loud. "This is not a good use of our time," he said. "We understand very clearly why you object to the book."
Minnon said an underlying issue behind wanting the book pulled is a lack of communication between the schools and parents as to what students are reading. "Parents are not informed that these types of books, especially these types of books, are being studied in the class," she said. "There are a lot of parents that do not know what the content of the book is ... ."
Minnon also questioned whether the board is aware of what books teachers are assigning students. "Do you know the vice principal (of the school, Tom Ledue) did not read this book?" she asked.
Some board members said they are not made aware of the books students read. Mark Nelson, who represents Lebanon and said he once read the book, signaled the board did not know what books are studied. "We have not been given an example list of books," he said.
"Do you see a scope and sequence outline?" Minnon asked.
"Do we have exact knowledge of every book? No," Nelson responded.
Director Joanne Potter, also a Lebanon representative, said the board encourages teachers to give some information to parents regarding materials used in class. "We ask teachers give parents a syllabus of books they’re reading," she said.
Director Kim Bernard, who represents North Berwick, said she is going to read the book again and pay special attention to the parts Minnon singled out as being inappropriate.
Minnon’s son, Spencer, said he appreciated his mother’s efforts on his behalf. Reached at home after the meeting, Spencer said he hasn’t looked at the book yet but trusts his mother’s judgment. "I kind of feel grateful that she’s doing this for my interests and that she actively cares," he said. "My mom kind of stands out like that."
"I think it’s up to the parents to decide if they’re going to explain it (the subject matter) to the kids," he said.
Andrea Minnon, who home-schooled her son until he was in sixth grade, said she doesn’t think she’s taking an overly active role in her son’s education. "I believe it’s the role of the parent to guide their kids in education," she said. "I’m not letting this die."
'Noble High Parent"
I like the title -- I think I'll use it from now on.
Wait till she reads "Heather has 2 Mommies".
This is the same mindset that got several literary works by Mark Twain banned because they contained the word "nigger." (*GASP* Run away! Run awaaaaaay!)
Will only thought of that after reading the Song of Solomon.
(2) Aside from the details of language and plot, the book is not really appropriate for the average 14-year old because it presents a very jaded, depressing and negative view of life. There are tons of far better books to read at the age of 14.
I like the title -- I think I'll use it from now on.
I always preferred "His Supreme A$$holiness," myself.
Never understood the hullabaloo about Salinger’s "The Catcher in the Rye". Even when I was younger. The only reason I read it was for the "good parts" the adults didn't want me to read. And wouldn't you know it - there were no good parts - just a whining young man who cussed. A little tepid and inane - maybe that's why liberals love it.
Can we round up the PC crowd and ship them somewhere, like say oh maybe MARS for instance.
Then we must ban "The Song of Solomon"......
As usual, the woman has not read the book. These people are so stupid that they don't know how much it damages their cause by NOT reading the book they want banned.
"I always preferred "His Supreme A$$holiness," myself."
LMAO
This moron never read the book, but she wants it banned!?! She is living proof of the inbreeding in Maine.
Is there a pool in regards to how many times her kid gets shoved into his locker for the remainder of the school year? I'll take 146.
Couldn't agree with you more.
I remember reading this book in high school myself, and found it hilariously amusing to watch my teacher's reaction when hearing my oral report on the novel.
I thought it was pap back then, and I think it's pap now.
While I don't think "Catcher In The Rye" should be banned from the library or anything, the parent who said that there are MUCH better examples of American literature is quite correct.
Regards,
This idiot and others like her just don't get it. The surest way to get people to read something is to ban it.
Her particular reasons aren't very good. But I happen to agree that Catcher in the Rye is a lousy book for schoolkids. The purpose of school is to help children to mature and grow wiser. Catcher in the Rye is custom designed to turn people into permanent adolescents.
A second reason for not reading it is that there are thousands of better novels that could be read instead.
Every school child is assigned Catcher in the Rye, To Kill a Mockingbird, Lord of the Flies, Suddenly Last Summer, and a similar assortment of books that came in during the 60s. I suppose you can say it's not bad, but it's hardly the best.
One of my kids is currently suffering through Somerset Maugham's Of Human Bondage. What a waste of good school time, when there are so many better books out there.
AMEN! I had to read it in 71-72 when my HS English teacher, fresh from the lib diploma factory, was just having a kaniption over its socially aware claptrap!....
And it's a very short book, too. You'd think she'd find a day or two to read it so she wouldn't look like so silly and uninformed. "I want this book banned... no, I haven't read it but I skimmed it and saw a few 'dirty' words..."
A far better book is Stop Time, but it's also far more risque.
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