Graphic, Violent Book Being Read at School by 6-8 Graders

That does seem to be a little harsh for that age group. However, I would probably ready it myself and discuss it with my child to make a teaching moment out of it. I really hate censorship. I would also ask the teacher about this book and express my concerns.

eek! That does seem like abot much for middle school students. I can see high school, but 6-8th grade. I would have a problem with that.

i am so relieved to hear that SOMEWHERE children this age are being treated like the adults-in-training that they are.
book censorship really really bugs me.
khairete
S.

I went and found a description of the book for you....
"Straight from the front line of urban America, the inspiring story of one fiercely determined teacher and her remarkable students.

As an idealistic twenty-three-year-old English teacher at Wilson High School in Long beach, California, Erin Gruwell confronted a room of “unteachable, at-risk” students. One day she intercepted a note with an ugly racial caricature, and angrily declared that this was precisely the sort of thing that led to the Holocaust—only to be met by uncomprehending looks. So she and her students, using the treasured books Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl and Zlata’s Diary: A Child’s Life in Sarajevo as their guides, undertook a life-changing, eye-opening, spirit-raising odyssey against intolerance and misunderstanding. They learned to see the parallels in these books to their own lives, recording their thoughts and feelings in diaries and dubbing themselves the “Freedom Writers” in homage to the civil rights activists “The Freedom Riders.”

With funds raised by a “Read-a-thon for Tolerance,” they arranged for Miep Gies, the courageous Dutch woman who sheltered the Frank family, to visit them in California, where she declared that Erin Gruwell’s students were “the real heroes.” Their efforts have paid off spectacularly, both in terms of recognition—appearances on “Prime Time Live” and “All Things Considered,” coverage in People magazine, a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley—and educationally. All 150 Freedom Writers have graduated from high school and are now attending college.

With powerful entries from the students’ own diaries and a narrative text by Erin Gruwell, The Freedom Writers Diary is an uplifting, unforgettable example of how hard work, courage, and the spirit of determination changed the lives of a teacher and her students.

The authors’ proceeds from this book will be donated to The Tolerance Education Foundation, an organization set up to pay for the Freedom Writers’ college tuition. Erin Gruwell is now a visiting professor at California State University, Long Beach, where some of her students are Freedom Writers."

This book sounds AMAZING. You know what? In the real world kids cuss and are cussed at. They die by playing stupid games like Russian Roulette, kids are raped, mothers beat their kids, and gangs are all over. It sucks!! I get that we don't want to have our kids know about it, but they should! Anne Frank is a hard book to read, Eli Weisel's book is a hard book to read, but these are books that our children should know about. 7th grade is not too young to understand that you can be labeled an "untouchable or unteachable" child.
Our kids are lucky, at least mine are. They come from a loving home, with parents that would do anything to make their lives easier. But, that's not the reality for a lot of kids.
Empathy. This book should teach your child empathy, compassion, and hopefully he will rejoice with these kids as they graduate and make something of themselves.
Just my .02
L.

I don't care how well a book is written, how much it is lauded, and how much ability it has to teach "empathy"...in my opinion, you can find these same things in a much cleaner book.

I realize these types of things are reality...but so is sodomy, beastiality, etc, and I choose not to expose my young children to those subject as well.

There are SO many books that also teach "tolerance, hope, and the ability to rise above difficulties" without being full of trash that it's almost discouraging to me that a teacher would select this book for her students. It's like we're saying that without shock value and smut, our children won't want to learn wholesome lessons.

I think we ought to give our children more credit.

(Whatever happened to reading Of Mice and Men, Catcher in the Rye, etc? OH, or how about The Outsiders...teaches plenty of those lessons, and not a single act of oral sex amongst children.)

(Edit...I see a lot of people have mentioned "context." I don't care what context it's in...what is the APPROPRIATE context for forced oral sex? Um...oh yes...there ISN'T one. I honestly can't figure out why everyone thinks that tolerance and PC-ness needs to equal trash and garbage.)

I don't use those words in my home. I don't think my younbg child needs to know about oral sex. What educational value can there be in reading about a boy who urinates on a girl, a child being beaten by their own mother and why do we need to know what she used to beat her child with? What value is there in detailed gang violence? I'd throw a big fit and they would remember me when the next kid came around. I would be very upset if my son were reading this in school. There has to be a better way to get the values of "tolerance, hope and the ability to rise a above difficulties".

I read books with similar content at that age, and it didn't do me any harm.

@Robin M. - public book burning? Seriously?

I would throw one helluva stink over this! If you want your child exposed to these themes, then it should be up to you, as the parent. The curse words wouldn't make me that upset, but the Russian Roulette, simulated sex, urination, etc.... is what would have me upset. How can you teach about tolerance and oral sex being forced at the same time? I mean.... come on. Inappropriate. It's not censorship, it's parental control. I do agree, however, that you should read the book as well to see if your son's opinion of it is stronger with the situations than the rest of the book. Make an educated decision, but at face value, I'd be throwing a stink! :)

I would read the book. That said - if they are old enough to learn about the holocaust (read Diary of Anne Frank), the multiple genocides before and since and study war, slavery and discrimination - then reading curse words aloud and discussing oral sex - would just not faze me.

Have you read the book? You cannot form an accurate opinion unless you read it yourself. You cannot determine it's literary value and you certainly shouldn't go to the school without first reading it yourself.

Context is everything, sometimes the most harsh descriptions are the ones that capture kids hearts and minds in a positive life changing way. Most of the stuff you describe, while harsh, are things many of them would be talking about among themselves and often in a trivial or casual context. Maybe this book will help them grow through the discussion of graphic or "uncomfortable" scenes in a way that is important. It all depends on the material.

Personally, it doesn't sound appropriate to me, educational or not.

I would do some more research. I love commonsensemedia.org, but couldn't find anything about the book, only the movie. Have your son bring the book home and read it yourself. If you still feel it's in appropriate, then yes, you need to make a fuss.

It's not censorship, it's call discression and we practice it every day with what we allow our kids to see on TV or in movies. There will be a process to protest a book. Probably start with the teacher and see where to go from there. After that there will be the principal and another teacher to discuss your issues with the book. If you are not satisfied with their findings, ask where to go from there. Probably it will be a meeting with the curiculum director for the district. If you are not satatified there meet with the superintendent. If they are not responding as you wish then go to the next school board meeting with a prepared speech. Usually you have to come early and sign in to be allowed 3 mins to speak. They will then make a final decision. Look at the school and district motos and see if they line up with what they are presenting. Look at what child psychiatrists are saying about kids development and books. Try Michele Borba's books. Don't let anyone intimidate you. I didn't.

If read the book myself then form an opinion about its worth.
Not all valuable literature is rainbows & unicorns, right?
My suggestion? Read it!

Every now and then the school teaches something I don't agree with. Instead of going to the school about it I use it as a teaching moment. I figure in the school environment I know about it, what about the times I won't know what they have been introduced to.

By talking about it my kids understand my feelings on the subject, they understand my thoughts behind those feelings, I know what their feelings and thoughts are as well. So regardless of what they see or hear they will look at it critically, they will think about how it makes them feel, does it fit in their belief system.

I totally agree with you. I am sadly surprised on how many moms agree with this kind of education and think that because their kids are on 6th, or 7th grade they are READY to read the book mentioned. It is not about censorship, it's about common sense.
I don't think this kind of "literature" has "great educational value in terms of teaching about tolerance, hope, and the ability to rise above difficulties" for a 6th or 7th grader. There are PLENTY of books and resources to be taught in class about different values and life.
It is true that the kids will be exposed to everything sooner or later, but as a parent, I want to have control over WHEN and HOW I teach my kids especially about sex, and deeper topics, so they have a proper foundation and understanding of their sexuality as a normal part of their lives before they are misguided for their peers who understand (or misunderstand?) just half of it.
No. There is No benefit on this literature at all....NOT at this age.
It might be and "amazing book" as Laura said H., but again, NOT AT THIS AGE when kids are not mature enough to understand certain things. To me, real Literature is Classic Literature;....contemporary ones.... good are just a few.....

My daughter was 13 when we saw this movie in the theater and we had read the book prior to that.

As Laura wote, this takes place in Long Beach, California and this stuff is real!! My daughter was born just up the street from there and my sister was the victim in a drive by shooting there in 1993.

I'm not into cenorship and am glad my daughter is so aware and grounded. Communication is key!!

your not being too much of a goody goody but the things they are reading about happened to those kids when they were in 7th and 8th grade. they were those ages. the class that wrote the book wrote it in a 9th grade english class. I would say it should be used for an 8th grade class though not a 6th grade class.

When I was in 8th grade we had to read S.E. Hintons book the Outsiders. There were parents outraged about that. It now seems very very tame.

That's, frankly, too much for anyone. What purpose does that serve? I would be burning that book in front of the school. That's beyond ridiculous. I'd throw a scene that the school would be talking about for the next year.

I think it sounds inappropriate for middle school. Maybe high school, but not middle school. Especially the sex stuff. I really wouldn't have a problem with the language as it, unfortunately, is how too many people talk today anyway and probably is used to set the tone.

Talk to the teacher and ask if it is required by the district or if he/she chose it. If it is one that was directed by the district, approach the principal. THe teacher won't have the power to change it. If it was chosen by the teacher, discuss the problems you have with it.

Think about it this way, he told you about it. Many kids would never have said a thing. So you have a great line of open communication.

As far as the book is concerned I wouldn't worry about it. You could read it yourself and talk about it with him. If they read pages 100- 120 in class you could then discuss the lesson in these pages. Over all you could have an open discussion about just what you mentioned about the book. As a woman you see that to force a girl to perform oral sex is sexaul assult and no matter what you should never force anyone to do something against their will.
I really think that kids are exposed to a lot more in media, music videos and video games.

Oh I would be in that principal's office TODAY making a big ol' fuss and demanding that the principal accompany me to listen in! I don't tolerate that kind of stuff at all when it comes to my children. That is not the kind of education you send your kids to school for.

I wouldn't have a problem with an advanced child of mine reading it on his/her own, and discussing it with me, but I would have a major problem with it being read aloud in class.

That being said, there is a reason we homeschool. Unfortunately when you're in Rome you do as the Romans do, or you don't do very well.

JMO.

I would ask to see the book and check it out more in context. Yes, it does sound like too much for middle schoolers. I would be very concerned if my child were asked to read that aloud and be told to read the swear words. If the teacher doesn't get back to you soon then call the principal and ask what their opinion is on the book. I don't think kids that age need to be reading those things and getting ideas in their heads that are too mature for them to handle.

Hmm, it does sound a little graphic for seventh grade, but I've never been one for censorship. By seventh grade they've usually already heard of a lot of this stuff.

They are a lot more "mature" (if you can call it that) by 8th grade; I would be more comfortable with an 8th grader reading it than a 7th grader. Certainly I would be fine with it in high school. They've all heard swear words, that's for sure, but the oral sex and urinating might be a bit much.

I'm torn, because I'm always against censorship, but in 7th grade they are still little babies, in many ways. Have you read the book?

p.s. Reading below -- If it's about Erin Gruwell, it's a true story, so it's not like they are reading graphic fiction. I think there's a lecture by her on TedEd, if I remember correctly. Or somewhere. I can't keep it all straight anymore. Oh here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDq9o9j3-CU

I'd have to see the context of those things as they are written in the book before I had an opinion about it. Just mentioning them out of context makes them sound like too much for a 6th grader, but then, Huckleberry Finn was banned for the word N*gger, so...

From what I just read in the summaries and plot stuff it reminds me of the movie with Michelle Pfeiffer where she was placed in a classroom much like this teacher was.

I would not let my grandkids watch that movie nor would I allow them to read this or have anything to do with it.

There was a teacher in Indiana suspended for a year and a half without pay for using this book in class even after she got the parents signed permission slips. They said she did not follow the proper protocol for getting permission to use this book.

If a school has already banned this book you can be sure that if you brought it to the schools attention and said you were not giving permission for your kids to have access to this book and are ready to hire an attorney then they would make sure that your wishes were adhered to.

In college? Yes, this book would be appropriate, some of the things they are discussing would be things that college age students would be already doing by choice. Kids have way to much sexuality thrown at them too young already, they don't need to be reading about this type of sexual adventures and lifestyles at their ages.

It's rather like reading pornographic stories online.

Make a fuss. There are countless other books that could be read in the class. There is no reason to have this type of garbage infiltrating your son's mind. I would definitely make a big stink and get principal involved if the teacher doesn't hear your concerns.

I will have to check this book out more. and i agree with everything Prev Posters have said.

But from what you said I do not feel this is very appropriate for this age. Maybe if it was one part of it but there is sooooo much going on. Can you imagine being that age and having to read out loud about oral sex.

not to say kids ren't having oral sex but not front of their teachers, if youfollow me.

I would ask specifically about the options for an alternative assignment/class for your son. You are the parent, and you have a right to determine what is approriate for your 11 - 12 year old child to be exposed to in the classroom. I didn't look, but I bet the movie rating was at least PG - 13 (parental discretion advised for children under 13). To me, that means parental discretion applies for whether your child has to read it out loud in class.

Sure, we all read things as kids on our own, but it's different to have to read those things in front of a class of your peers. Can you imagine how being the 11 yr old early bloomer who has to read out loud about oral sex to the boys her age? Pre-teen kids have enough issues with feeling uncomfortable in their own skins without adding things like that to it. I would've been mortified to even have to read parts of "Are You There God, It's Me, Margret" to a co-ed classroom at that age! Can you imagine reciting "We Must, We Must, We Must Increase Our Busts!" in a room of preteen boys? Seriously, though, I'd be ticked about this. I don't believe people should not have access to this book, but I do think parents are entitled to their discretion in this area.

IMHO, that is a bit too much. Yes, it is about redemption, tolerance and overcoming the odds, but like others have said, I would imagine there are other books out there that carry the same message.

It's not the cuss words that I have an issue with. It's the oral sex thing and the urination on a female student. That's just way too much, especially for 11 and 12 year olds.

I would exempt my child from reading the book. Get him an appropriate book and tell the teacher that he will not be in class while they are reading that book. He can sit in the office and read the book you deem appropriate.

I'm 100% with you--there are many books that can teach those lessons without the explicit violence, denigration of women, or sexual content described--I would be appalled that 6th-8th graders (or even younger high school students) would be required to read this type of material...I don't think they should necessarily grow up that fast or learn of/explore those evils of the world at that age.

Just my two cents

First of all have you read the entire book? Is the book itself a well written book?

Is it being taught by the teacher or is it just a book they will be reading with no guidance?

This is an advanced Language Arts class? They do tend to be more advanced in different ways, because in general the students in advanced academic classes are more mature and more advanced.

Once they are in High school, they will be reading on a college level.. These books will also include some more subjects that are even more adult. I am glad i had the opportunity to discuss these subjects with our child while she was home with us, instead of away at college and less likely to discuss what they were reading.

I read every book our daughter read all the way through about 7th grade. After that she was reading so much more than me, I could no longer keep up with every book. We enjoyed talking about the books etc.. This was a good way to clear up any misconceptions or discuss, why the writer chose certain situations, language and behaviors. Historical books are not censored. They are depicting the real situation to explain the motivations of the people. to explain what the world was like. It is not always pretty, clean and safe. People that changed the world and continue to change the world, come from very diverse backgrounds. They usually have overcome huge obstacles that made them strong enough to take a chance and to question authority,

Whenever you have a question or concern, speak with the teacher.
This is a time in your child's life that they could really use our help in understanding the real world and the real history of our world. They are no longer babies. We need to open up dialogue so that they will speak with us openly. They need to know there are no hidden subjects. It is hard to be a parent when our children ask us, uncomfortable questions, or about uncomfortable situations, but this is our chance to share our beliefs and morals.

For anyone interested in reading an overview.. here is the information from christianbooks.com

http://www.christianbook.com/freedom-riders-ann-bausum/97...

By that age these kids have been exposed to violence and language for years, and many have already received or performed oral sex. At least in this book they are learning something positive from the exposure.

No I dont think I'd want my daughter to read it but I remember growing up Judy Bloom was really big and had lots of stuff like that was in it. We turned out ok kinda

Here is a link to the book and you can read the beginning.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/freedom-writers-diary-fre...

There is a book called 'Freedom Riders' that is the link Laurie A added. I don't think it's the book being mentioned here.

Ditto Jessica Wessica below.

Then, if you want to find out more about this and what is being read in class, simply ASK the Teacher about it.
And if her answer does not answer your concerns about it, then speak to the Department Grade Level Chair, or the Principal.