Fond du Lac School Board Upholds Decision to Keep Book on Shelves

Link to April 13 Fond du Lac Reporter article, "Book decision upheld by board".

Excerpt:  It was the first time a Fond du Lac Board of Education had ever seen a challenged book in the district come before it for a final appeal. Therefore, it took longer, said curriculum and instruction coordinator John Whitsett.

"We had never done this, never been through the procedure before, then there was spring break, then the board members had to read the book," Whitsett said.

Wentworth first challenged the educational materials on Jan. 13, after her 11-year-old daughter, who is in sixth grade, took the book home from school. She noted that the author herself had said the book was suitable for children ages 12 and up.

"The children at Theisen are going to be thinking about sex whether they read the book or not," wrote nationally acclaimed author Sones in a letter to Sebert about her book.

The challenge of a school library book in Fond du Lac received national attention from proponents on both sides of the issue.

Related articles:
Book challenge moves to next step.  (4/5/2010)
Parent appeals decision to keep book.  (2/28/2010)
Fond du Lac School District: Update on Remaining Book Challenges. (2/24/2010)
Sonya Sones Letter to Fond du Lac School Superintendent. (2/23/2010)

Fond du Lac Newspaper Editorial Board Support School District Committee's Decision. (2/22/2010)
Challenged Book to Remain on Shelves in Fond du Lac Schools. (2/19/2010)
Ann Brashares, Meet Ann Wentworth. (2/18/2010)

Fond du Lac School District Parent Requests Reconsideration of This Book. (1/29/2010)