Posted on 08/25/2011 1:56:10 PM PDT by Borges
The Albemarle County School Board voted Thursday night to remove Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “A Study in Scarlet” from sixth-grade reading lists. A parent of a Henley Middle School student originally challenged the book in May on the grounds that it is derogatory toward Mormons.
Thursday’s vote was the culmination of the work of a committee commissioned to study the book and two discussions by board members.
Board member Diantha McKiel, of the Jack Jouett District, said it was important to note that the school system has a history of reconsidering books.
“Sometimes we have declared books age inappropriate, sometimes we have decided that they should stay where they are,” she said.
More than 20 former Henley students turned out to oppose the book’s removal from the lists. Rising Western Albemarle High School ninth-grader Quinn Legallo-Malone spoke during public comment to oppose removal of the book. He called the work “the best book I have read so far.”
The board based its decision on the recommendation of a committee commissioned to study the Victorian work. In its report, the committee concluded that the book was not age-appropriate for sixth-graders.
In her comments to the board, Brette Stevenson, the Henley parent who first complained about the book in May, said the work was not suitable as an introduction to mystery and deductive reasoning.
“‘A Study in Scarlet’ has been used to introduce students to the mystery genre and into the character of Sherlock Holmes. This is our young students’ first inaccurate introduction to an American religion,” Stevenson told the board.
Stevenson suggested replacing the book with Doyle’s fifth novel, “The Hound of the Baskervilles, which, she said, is a better introduction to mystery.
Legallo-Malone said he was disappointed the book was being removed from lists, but was happy that it was being considered for use at a higher grade level.
“It’s not what I had hoped for, but I guess they did what’s best,” Legallo-Malone said. “I was capable of reading it in sixth grade. I think it was a good challenge. I’m upset that they’re removing it.”
Legallo-Malone said he was looking forward to reading the book again, should it be added to a high-school reading list.
“I hope I’ll see it again, definitely,” he said.
Stevenson was pleased with the outcome.
“I think the process worked,” she said.
The updated addiction had a very funny line when Holmes exposed his adaptation to modern life in London. I’m dying for the rest of the series to hit NetFlix as there are only three there now.
Conan Doyle ( insinuates that in order to supply husbands with multiple wives, Mormon outriders attacked wagon trains and killed all the men and boys and returned with the surviving womem and girls. He also mentions that Mormon men who may have held views against the church disappeared without trial. Also mentions that guards were posted on the borders to capture those who attempted to leave.
(starts on page 70 of my copy of the book).
The last couple of Mormons who came to my door were asked: How many wives do you think you will have?? Stunned...they smiled and said they didn’t do that anymore.
Yeh...They should at least wait until the kids know how to put a condom on a cucumber.
Yes, of course, the original Watson was just back from Afghanistan. Hmmm...I’m trying to think of what his addiction was - it wasn’t cocaine in the show? I know I saw an episode wherein he did do drugs.
Only three were made. They are producing three more now which will probably be released next year.
Highlight my post #19. I typed in in white text on a white background, but selecting that blank space will show what I typed.
Books on the shelves...derogsatory towards Christians????...Hell, pick up any newspaper...Check the court dockets....
Holmes is on Hulu..Just love these oldies...
Another victory for the religion of peace pagans.
And Zane Grey. "Riders of the Purple Sage" is an indictment of Mormons.
In the original, his regiment reached Candahar (Kandahar) in safety, and he was later wounded at the battle of Maiwand.
Thanks to your excellent reportage, I was able to surmise this is a central Virginia story?
By a Jezail bullet....where on his body is up to much debate.
On the shoulder - the bullet shattered the bone and grazed the subclavianl artery.
On the shoulder - the bullet shattered the bone and grazed the subclavian artery.
The Sign of the Four: "sat nursing my wounded leg. I had had a Jezail bullet through it some time before, and though it did not prevent me from walking it ached wearily at every change of the weather."
The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor: "the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence." But since he is propping up his legs, that "limb" is likely a leg.
More seriously, he was either shot twice or Arther Conan Doyle forget where he said Watson was shot when he came back to write more stories. However I do wonder if the bullet went through his leg in the first quote, why did his surgeon put it back in as a relic for the second quote. Maybe he was shot three times.
Maybe two wounds? Or maybe Arthur Conan Doyle just wanted to see if his readers actually paid attention!
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