LAKELAND: Grieving over book removal

I was saddened to see the article (April 6) about a book being pulled at Lakeland Middle School.

What a shame that three classrooms of sixth grade students will be deprived of the opportunity to read a book that is generally recognized as a wonderful story that focuses on childhood grief.  

A couple of disgruntled parents voiced the distorted conclusion that the book contained “homosexual content.” Their conclusion was apparently based upon a paragraph which talks about two dads. 

I can only hope that this is temporary. It is a sad situation when a tiny minority can determine what EVERYONE is allowed to read in our classrooms and our libraries.

I was encouraged by the pushback by Board members in support of teachers and procedure. One of the three teachers apparently made a mistake by not including the book in their syllabus. I don’t believe that this should be a capital offense. It seems to me that a reasonable parent, even if they felt the book was inappropriate for THEIR child, could reach an accommodation with the teacher.

I do not fear ideas presented in literature (even if I disagree with them) nearly as much as I fear the tyranny of zealots. It is my hope that the School Board will rectify this situation quickly.

DOUG STRONG

Rathdrum