ABFFE Condemns Removal of Challenged Books

The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) and the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) have condemned a decision to remove two books from the ninth grade optional reading list at Westhampton Beach High School in Westhampton Beach, New York. On Tuesday, December 4, the Westhampton Beach Board of Education voted 4 - 3 to remove The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult and Cradle and All by James Patterson from a list of 300 books that students can use to select reading assignments. Some parents had objected to the inclusion of the books because of their sexual content.

"By its vote, the Westhampton school board has allowed a few parents to determine what other people's children can read -- that is censorship," said ABFFE President Chris Finan.

ABFFE and NCAC joined with local bookseller Terry Lucas of the Open Book in opposing the removal of the books. When Lucas learned of efforts to remove the books, she spoke before the school board and held a well attended "Read-In" at her store in support of the right to read.

Joan Bertin, executive director of NCAC, said the Westhampton Beach school board had opened itself to multiple, possibly conflicting demands. "While some parents object to books with sexual situations, others challenge books with religious or racial references or violent content. By preserving access to a wide range of materials, school officials protect the rights of students and their parents to make their own choices, based on their own views and values," she said.