What is the best way to challenge the use of a schoolbook that I think is inappropriate? Challenge the book based on the following guidelines, and suggest they be used in future book selection: 1. Does it violate your school's handbook on profanity? If a student can't say it in the halls, why does he have to read it in the classroom? In the real world, many people use foul language, but if we don't like it we can walk away. In a compulsory education system with an assigned reading, a student is forced to read it. Why do that? Even if the book is just on a reading list, you have to ask yourself, "With 50,000 books published every year, is this the best we can recommend?" 2. Would the teacher read the book out loud in public? If the book has a sexually explicit or gratuitously violent passage that seems so relevant to student angst or sexual tension, would the teacher be willing to read it at the next school board meeting or PTA? Could he give it to a school board member and ask her to read it out loud? If he thinks it might be embarrassing, maybe he needs to think twice about letting minors read it. Another thought: Is the teacher assuming students are more mature than they really are? They seem sophisticated in the way they talk and dress, but they may not be emotionally ready for a certain book's content. 3. Does the book represent the most noble and most inspiring literature students can read? They'll probably spend most of their lives reading uninspiring material (if they read much at all). Now, is the chance to lift their sights a little higher. 4. Is the book the only one that will teach to the objective? Can the teacher satisfactorily defend why he chose the book and rejected (censored) any other possibilities? Can he reach his objective with another book and, thus, satisfactorily address parents' concerns? To view an article about censorship and book selection, click here. © 2002, Gateways to Better Education Questions? If you have a question for Gateways to Better Education, we offer two options: If you have an urgent issue that needs an immediate response, we recommend that you call our Advisory Line at (949) 586-KIDS (5437), Send us an email containing your question.