Q&A: Linda McGrew

Do you think it's a mistake to include The Terrorist in your school district's libraries? Yes. Our selection policy says that materials on our shelves should promote positive images of people from other cultures and other countries, should foster understanding of other peoples. And as I read the book, I saw an awful lot of stereotyping. I did not see much that promoted any kind of a positive view of the Muslim people. And I even felt like I was seeing some things that were inaccurate.

Can you give an example? We had a communication from one of our local imams several years ago that was sent out to help us better understand our Muslim students and families. One of the things that I remembered specifically from that communication was that the proper term for the Muslim people is M-U-S-L-I-Mâ?¦ and all through The Terrorist it refers to Moslems, M-O-S-L-E-M.

Have you ever ordered a library book that was inappropriate? I had purchased a book based on a review. The review said the book was for fourth grade through eighth grade. As I read the book, there was a very graphic rape of the main character. I decided that [the book] was not appropriate in my elementary school library. If I had not read that book beforehand and some student had gotten a hold of it and the parents had objected, then I think that book would have been a good candidate to go through [reconsideration].

Has the committee's decision diminished your faith in the review process? No, I don't think so. I think we have to consider each book on its own merits... I think the very existence of the committee recognizes that selection mistakes can be made.