“We have heard and recognize your concerns over the recent gifting of a book,” says Coloma School Board in a recent letter to parents
A book titled, “Looking for Alaska” raised cause for concern with parents when it was gifted to some Coloma Middle School students. The book in question was gifted from their Language Arts teacher, Katherine Cattes, over the last few days of school before the Christmas break and a few more were passed out last week.
The content has the parents of the recipients questioning the Coloma Public School system for answers. Even though it was given as a gift and not a part of the approved curriculum, the parents are questioning why they were not given prior notice before the teacher handed such content out to their children.
About the book
The book, “Looking for Alaska” is a coming-of-age novel that touches on themes of meaning, grief, hope, and youth-adult relationships. The novel, written by John Green in 2005, won the 2006 Michael L. Printz Award. The award is given by the American Library Association which annually recognizes the “best book written for teens, based entirely on its literary merit.”
“Looking for Alaska” is considered the author’s most controversial as it has been banned 11 times in schools since 2021. In addition, the book has been named the most challenged book of 2015 (challenge meaning someone requested to have the book removed from a school or library) in a survey by the American Library Association. Ultimately making it became the fourth-most challenged book in the United States between 2010 and 2019 where last year it made ‘The 50 Most Banned Books in America’ list by CBS News, ranking in at number 15. In 2019, a television miniseries of the same name premiered as a Hulu Original.
The most complaints about the book were for offensive language, sexually explicit descriptions, homosexuality, and unsuitable religious viewpoints.
Parents wanting answers
Stephanie Sexton is just one of several Coloma parents appalled by the gift given to her 12-year-old son. It wasn’t until Sexton had seen another middle school mom post about her daughter receiving the penguin mini unabridged version of the book that made her check with her son to see if he too received one. To her dismay, the book was in his backpack. She was thankful he never touched it. He had received it before the holiday break.
In the school’s own words, which can be found on their website, it states, “We believe that parent participation is key to student success…” Sexton feels that the lack of parental consent about the distribution of such materials is what she finds alarming.
“I was appalled. I was disgusted because this book is absolutely disgusting and should not be material that’s distributed to minors,” Sexton said.
The School Board’s reaction
The Coloma School Board sent out a reaction response to all concerned parents, on Friday, January 13.
The letter stated, “We have heard and recognize your concerns over the recent gifting of a book by a teacher at Coloma Junior High that contains some topics that may be controversial or offensive to some families. We are working with the district’s administration and attorney to thoroughly review this situation.”
The letter continued, “Through our review of policy and procedures, we will determine the steps needed to ensure this will not happen in the future. Appropriate action by the Board of Education and administration will take place once the full review has been completed.”
Due to privacy laws, the district cannot comment on personnel matters regarding the teacher in question.
Persons wishing to address questions or comments to the Board of Education during the public comments portion of a meeting may do so by emailing their question to info@ccs.coloma.org before 6 p.m. on the day of the meeting. The email must include the name and address of the author of the email. Sending this email serves to register an individual’s intention to participate in the public portion of the meeting. Public participation at Board Meetings is governed by Bylaw 0167.3.
Regularly scheduled meetings for the 2022-23 Coloma Board of Education happens on the second Monday of each month in Room #46 at Coloma Junior High School. The meetings are open to the public and begin at 6 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, where it is expected that many will be in attendance.
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