Yet Another Book Challenge in Fond du Lac

Latest title on Ann Wentworth's dishonor roll

Link to May 17 wisc.info post, "Parent challenges another Theisen library book".

Excerpt: A book hearing scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 7, invites public comment on the book "Forever in Blue: the Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood," by Ann Brashare.

Parent Ann Wentworth is requesting the Fond du Lac School District remove the book from the library at Theisen Middle School, where her daughter attends.

"Forever in Blue" is the fourth and final novel in the author's "Sisterhood" series. The story concludes the adventures of four girls who share a pair of "magical" pants that fit each one of them perfectly, despite their vastly different shapes and sizes, according to the author.

The school district's reconsideration committee will also meet at 6 p.m. that same night to move forward the process on another book Wentworth is challenging: "Get Well Soon" by Julie Halpern.

Wentworth, who has been crusading to remove from the middle schools books that contain what she feels is inappropriate subject matter for children in that age group, appeared Thursday before the committee to state her case.

"Some (of the characters in the book) are sexually active, and alcohol is part of their recreation. I pointed out that in a community such as ours, where we have the Drug Free Task Force attempting to address and eradicate underage drinking, it seems very contradictory to have books in our school libraries that are promoting that very thing," Wentworth told the committee.  [Emphasis added.]

Nutty stuff. That's like saying libraries promote crime because they have detective and mystery novels in their collections.

Related articles:
Wentworth motors on. (5/3/2010)
Ann Wentworth gets fan mail.  (4/29/2010)
School board upholds decision to keep book on shelves.  (4/13/2010)
School library 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)