Book should be banned

Dear Editor,

Over the last few months, we have appeared before Bailey Bridge Middle School and Chesterfield County school administrative staffs regarding a library book that we feel is inappropriate for middle school students to read.

Our concern began when our grandson, who is in eighth-grade, brought home a library book that contained words we do not feel should be in a middle school library. We sat down with our grandson who was reading the book, "Fat Kid Rules the World" by K. L. Going. He immediately told us there were words in the book that we would not approve of, and he had only read seven pages. As we began to read the book, we were appalled at what we saw. The "F" word was used along with other expletives that continued throughout the story. It is hard for us to believe that Chesterfield County allows this type of book in its middle school library.

We met with a committee from Bailey Bridge concerning the language of the book. They listened to us, and several members admitted they would not want their children reading this book. We later received a letter saying the book would not be removed. We also appeared before the Chesterfield County Book Review Committee. They graciously listened to us but had no questions. It was obvious they were only meeting the requirements of the school system. They informed us that the book was acceptable reading for sixth- to eighth-grades.

We do not agree that children of this age need to have this type of book at their disposal in the name of "mature reading." Have we come to the place where we have to put all of these expletives in school books to get the children to read them?

We have done all we personally can do, and this is why we have written this letter. We think Chesterfield County parents deserve to know the type of books available to their children. We do, however, understand there are a few schools that do not have this "mature reading" book in their libraries. Our concern is not only for our grandchildren but [for] the children of tomorrow.

Joe & Doris Vanarsdall

Chesterfield

Debra Marlow, spokesperson for Chesterfield County Public Schools, responds: "Chesterfield County Public Schools Policy Regulation 303.1 guided the review of the book, 'Fat Kid Rules the World' by K. L. Going. The Level III Book Review Committee, which included school administrators, teachers and parents, acknowledged that the book contains profanity and sensitive issues including obesity and homelessness. The committee voted to allow the book to remain on the mature list and to restrict it to eighth-grade students at Bailey Bridge Middle School. The school system encourages parents to review books that students check out of the library."