The Nashua Telegraph – Nashua,NH Reports Elementary school teachers in Nashua must now notify parents if they are going to use an award-winning science-fiction book called “The Giver” in their classrooms.
The school board made the decision Monday night, by a 7-1 vote, after a two-hour hearing.
A review of the book’s use in city schools was initiated after a parent, Jodi Gould, said her fourth-grade daughter was “very bothered and upset” by some of the book’s themes of suicide and euthanasia.
why not?
I really have no idea why more districts don’t do this with contested books. You only get to parent your own children. Sorry, religionists, control freaks and crackpots.
Yep
This seems like the solution. It was when I was kid. I wonder why we ever strayed from allowing parents to be parents of thier kids.
Why did we allow some parents to abdicate and allow anyone to take over their duties?
It does not take a village, it takes a parent (preferably two).
Not a book for Grade 4 students.
This is a wonderful, thought provoking book but it isn’t for 4th graders. I’m not surprised the child was bothered.
whew
Thank goodness the school board didn’t just pull the book! I agree that the content is better suited to older students. I also think talking about these subjects with a strong guide who can help interpret and refine ideas alleviates the concerns kids have when they confront ideas that may seem frightening.
Nice idea to give the
Nice idea to give the parents the chance to participarte but if it’s in a class at the level the book is aimed at I can’t see why it would be an issue.
I bet though if someone said they were upset by the incest, murder and religious imagery in the Bible or the Koran they’d not be putting that to a vote.
it’s up to the parents
My daughter & I read this together when she was about in 4th grade. She handled it well, but I read it out loud to her, after reading ahead. I told her if she wanted me to stop, I would. We talked about it as I read it, which I’m thinking is what a teacher might do (or should do IMHO). It’s not a book for all 4th graders, but many can probably handle it. It’s more of a middle school book I think. But with proper guidance, I think many pre-teens can read it and probably have some really good discussions about it. I think the board made a good decision here though in letting the parents decide what is best for their own child.