Malibu High teachers affirm “One School, One Book” choice picked by student council despite some parent objections.
By Hans Laetz / Special to The Malibu Times
Malibu High School officials have decided not to override a student selection for a book to be read by ninth- through 12th-graders despite criticism from some parents that it contains inappropriate adult-themed and depressing subject matter.
Principal Mark Kelly said a letter will go out to parents this week from the school’s English Department chairperson, Bonnie Thorseon, explaining why teachers are backing the Student Council’s selection choice of “Lovely Bones.” The 2003 bestseller by Alice Sebold was picked as the “One Book, One School” reading selection by the Student Council this spring.
Some parents objected to the book, which includes such issues as a child’s rape and dismemberment, and depictions of teen sex as a means of renewal. But other parents said they want their children to talk about the issues with their peers in an adult-moderated format.
Kelly said parents may opt to have their children read and discuss an alternate book, “Kaffir Boy,” by Mark Mathabane. Thoreson said parents who opt for the alternate book should be assured that teachers respect that decision, and their children “will not be penalized in any way should you decide to have him or her opt out of this reading selection.”
“Lovely Bones,” Thoreson wrote in the letter to parents, deals with a harsh reality. “Good literature often deals with difficult, uncomfortable situations, and as English teachers we have been trained to facilitate thoughtful, respectful discussions on hard topics.”
“As opposed to so many television shows and movies, we will handle the discussions sensitively and appropriately,” she wrote. “Furthermore, since this was a book originally recommended by parents and selected by a majority of students, we want to honor this process.”
Parents who spoke out on a community discussion board were of mixed opinions, with some saying the book was compelling and appropriate for campuswide discussion, and others upset that the school would introduce such adult themes to children as young as 14 years old.
Lisa Masiello said her 9th-grade daughter started “Lovely Bones” on her own, and announced that the book disturbed her to the point of not wanting to finish it.
“Out of the blue she said it was scary,” Masiello said. “Maybe that book is appropriate for some, but these kids are not in college yet, and a lot of parents want to rush their maturity.”
Masiello, along with several other parents who said “Lovely Bones” is too much for their children, praised the decision to allow a substitute book, which was the English Department’s original plan.
“It will be interesting to see how many kids choose to read ‘Lovely Bones’,” Masiello said.