A Rosemount, MN couple challenged the book, Just One Day by Gayle Foreman, suggesting that it is inappropriate for middle and high school libraries in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan district. A review committee consisting of parents, students, and district staff was convened to review the young adult book and make a decision to remove the book or leave it in the school libraries.
Dawn Lyons, a secondary media specialist in the district and on the review committee, suggests that “Media specialists must consider the students and staff population we are serving. Our collection must include material for the most mature students as well as the younger students.”
Just One Day won the Young Adult Library Services Association’s award in 2014 for Best Fiction for Young Adults and is recommended for ages 14 and older.
What about you? Do you have policies in place for dealing with book challenges? For additional definitions and resources to assist you in this area, go to http://www.ala.org/bbooks/challengedmaterials. First you will see definitions, then scroll to the bottom to gather additional resources including information on how to report a book challenge.
Strategies and Tips for Dealing with Challenges to Library Materials