Not So Fast, Accelerated Reader

School officials in Ohio have yanked three books from the shelves of L. T. Ball Junior High Library, prompting a massive review of more than 100 titles acquired under the controversial Accelerated Reader program.

A school review committee will decide if Rats Saw God (S&S, 1996) by Rob Thomas, Perks of Being a Wall Flower (Pocket Books, 1999) by Stephen Chbosky, and Baby Be-Bop (HarperCollins, 1995) by Francesca Lia Block will be restored to library shelves or permanently banned, following complaints by parents about "objectionable" content.

The books were ordered from the reading list of Accelerated Reader, a computer software program used by Tipp City, in southwest Ohio, and thousands of other schools nationwide. Now, the remaining shipment of Accelerated Reader books will undergo review for age-appropriateness, says Kitty Lobo, a spokesperson for Tipp City schools.

With Accelerated Reader, children make their own selections from a series of books rated by reading level, rather than content. "Therein lies the problem," Lobo told the Dayton Daily News. "We were shelving the books without reading them." The school board is reviewing the matter, says Lobo, to ensure there are adequate policies regarding the selection of materials. (For more on Accelerated Reader, see "Keeping Score ," September 2001)