Alexie Book Removed

Funny how in the span of a week, I can post a video of Alexie receiving a National Book Award and now this article about the removal of his book from a high school curriculum. I think a letter of concern would be a good holiday gift to send a few people involved:

Jeff Landaker is the board chair who, it is reported, despite the complainants not following proper procedure by first talking with the teacher and going instead directly to the board, supports the ban.
[email protected]

Jim Golden is the Principal of the school. Golden was reportedly opposed to banning the book.
[email protected]

Rich Shultz is the superintendent of the schools.
[email protected]

Crook County removes book from schools after parent complains
by Helen Jung
Thursday December 11, 2008
The Oregonian

Sherman Alexie’s book has raised some concerns in the Crook County school district. The Crook County School District has temporarily removed a book from classrooms after one parent complained to the school board that the National Book Award winner was “trashy” and “inappropriate.”

Written by Sherman Alexie, “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian,” which is based on Alexie’s own experiences, follows a boy who leaves the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white school “where the only other Indian is the school mascot” according to the book jacket description…[read the rest here]