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Dr. Ray Tolcacher, SuperintendentMaterials Reconsideration Committee Members

Prosser School District

1126 Meade Avenue, Suite A

Prosser, Washington 99350

February 5, 2013

Dear Dr. Tolcacher and Members of the Reconsideration Committee,

We are writing in response to a recent challenge to the booksA Child Called It byDavid Pelzer (HCI) and The Popularity Papers by Amy Ignatow (Amulet Books). We

understand that the books are being reconsidered by a district committee after a teacher

filed a complaint about the contents of these books and their treatment of child abuse andnon-traditional families, respectively.

It is our understanding thatA Child Called It

is shelved in the Housel Middle Schoollibrary and can only be checked out by students with parental permission. The Popularity

Papers on the other hand, is housed at two elementary schools in the district but is only

available to fifth grade students. This means that students are not required to read either

book and restrictions are already in place to implement parents decisions about allowingtheir children to read the books. To further restrict or remove these books because

someone objects to their content would curtail the rights of students wishing to read these

books and of parents who allow access.

The First Amendment precludes public officials from suppressing ideas simply because

some people find them offensive or controversial. The Supreme Court has cautioned that

school officials "may not remove books from library shelves simply because they dislikethe ideas contained in those books and seek by their removal to prescribe what shall be

orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion."Board ofEducation v. Pico, 457 U.S. 853, 872 (1982)(plurality opinion). This constitutional duty

applies with particular force in the school library, which, unlike the classroom, has "aspecial role...as a place where students may freely and voluntarily explore diverse

topics." Campbell v. St. Tammany Parish School Board, 64 F. 3d 184, 190 (5th Cir.

1995).

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A Child Called Itis Dave Pelzers best-selling memoir about survival in which herecounts his childhood experiences of being mistreated and abused by his alcoholic

mother. Many readers have found the book to be an uplifting and courageous account of

overcoming extremely difficult personal obstacles. The book may not be suitable for

every child. However, the restrictions currently in place afford parents the opportunity tocontrol whether or not their child has access to the book.

The Popularity Papers is a popular series of books geared at 4-6 grade students thatfollows the friendship of Lydia and Julie as they prepare to navigate junior high school.

Its treatment of themes such as bullying and individuality won the book the National

Parenting Publications Association Gold Award in 2012 and led to its selection for the2011 American Library Association's Rainbow Project. School Library Journal called the

book an entertaining look at the social hierarchy ofpreteens and the challenges of

growing up [that] will entice even the most reluctant readers. The complainant objects to

an episode in which Julie is bullied because she has two fathers. The book demonstrates

the harm caused by bullying, and the unfairness of bullying someone because ofsomething beyond their control.

School libraries may not cater to any specific viewpoint, but must provide materials that

meet the needs and serve the interests of all students. Those who object are entitled to

their view, but they may not impose it on others. We urge you to stand by the principle

that is so essential to individual freedom, democracy, and a good education: the right toread, inquire, question, and think for ourselves.

If we can be of assistance in this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Joan Bertin

Executive Director

National Coalition Against

Censorship

President

American Booksellers Foundation

for Free Expression

Charles Brownstein

Executive Director

Comic Book Legal Defense

Fund

CC:

Deanna Flores, Principal, Housel Middle School

Shellie Hatch, Principal, Whitstran Elementary

Kris Moore, Principal, Keene-Riverview Elementary

Sally Juzeler, Principal, Prosser Heights Elementary

Vivian Jennings, Librarian, Housel Middle School