Censorship Roundup

Livingston, MT: The Montana Library Association (MLA) is protesting the removal of Rolling Stone magazine from the Park High School library. In a letter to the Livingston school district, MLA President Coby Johnson stated that Principal Woody Jundt failed to follow district guidelines and had "taken it upon himself to remove the magazine from the library," reported the Associated Press. The board had agreed to Jundt's proposal to pull the magazine in October for alleged immoral content (see December 2002, News , p. 22). In a resolution sent to Jundt and district superintendent Verne Beffert, MLA claimed that the ban violated the library's policies, which incorporated the Library Bill of Rights.

Montgomery County, TX: Two children's sex education books, It's Perfectly Normal (1994) and It's So Amazing (1999, both Candlewick) by Robie Harris were returned to county library shelves November 18. A recently expanded book review committee that included five new citizen members debated the issue for three hours before issuing the decision. The books had been pulled in August and September at the request of the conservative Christian group, the Republican Leadership Council (RLC), which said the books were sexually explicit and promoted homosexuality. (see November 2002, News , p. 18). RLC vows to file more complaints on hundreds of offensive titles.

Sioux City, IA: A school district committee in Sioux City, IA, voted November 26 to remove Sixth Grade Secrets (Apple, 1994) by Louis Sachar from elementary school libraries after parents and school officials complained that it contained inappropriate material for young students, reported the Associated Press. Proponents say the book's issues—peer pressure and adolescent relationships—are valid, but critics argue it contains questionable references to underwear, body parts, and Playboy magazine.

Linda LaFleur, a parent and former middle school teacher who asked the committee to review the book, says it was written in "a smutty way." Rita Vannatta, principal of the school LaFleur's fourth-grade daughter attends, said she was appalled that the book was given to third graders. The book will remain in middle schools.