Profane Book Assigned to 8th Graders
Cook County School District 126 - Alsip & Oak Lawn, Illinois
Anyone who shares these parents' concerns, E-mail feedback@culturecampaign.com
**** WARNING ****
Do NOT scroll down if you are sensitive to material that is forbidden to be broadcast by the FCC and will not be printed by any major newspaper in America (but educators require that junior high teenagers read the below).
Excerpts from Fat Kid Rules The World
by K. L. Going, Putnam Juvenile (June 23, 2003)
God, I want to touch her. Her legs are full…If I could just reach under that skirt…I need to control myself. Must Not Be. Sex Starved. (p.6)
For that matter, no one in the whole goddamn diner can take their eyes off him (p.7)
No one beats me or fucks me without my permission. (p.11)
Except she married this asshole who - he coughs- is a wife beater hypocrite asshole (p.13)
Not the young one with the fabulous tits who made one hour seem like an X-rated movie. (p.23)
Fuck, I'm screwing up everything. (p.35)
Carpe. Fucking Diem. I am the Fat Kid and I am having fun. (p.41)
Shit, shit, shit, shit. (p.41)
Fuck you, I think, trying to stifle a grin. (p.45)
Fuck off, morons. (p.47)
I swear I'll tear your goddamn, fucking balls off…(p.57)
Born in the USA, ain't got fucking much to say, don't we all want it that way. (p.93)
Had enough?? Scroll down to lastest news updates at the bottom.
Want more excerpts?? Keep reading . . .
on Page 8:
"... with ketchup and processed cheese. The world stops while the skinny kid eats. Fuck that, I think. But I also think, God I wish I were him.... ..."
on Page 44:
"... The man lurches forward and the woman is smoking a cigarette, digging around in her purse. "Fuck," she says under her breath. ..."
Page 57:
"... "Who the fuck are you? Where's Curt?" he demands. "You come here to meet that sorry-ass son of a . . ." The ..."
on Page 75:
"... little kids who doesn't know if a voice will really come out of the receiver . "Troy? Are you there? Fuck ... I think ... hold on, guys. ..."
on Page 76:
"... to me and it comes out as gibberish : "So, whatsa, hey, don't, okay, be read-fuck that ma-shiii, okay, okay, didn't I say-yeah, good, T, bye. ..."
on Page 83:
"... ceiling of the hallway and Piper makes a face. "Did you see that? Piper was toast, man, toast!" "Shut the fuck up. ..."
on Page 87:
"... the stage door. It isn't really a door. It's actually a large swinging structure made of plywood with the words FUCK OFF spray-painted in red across the front. ..."
on Page 88:
"... " No one answers, so Curt does. "Finding someone, some person, who isn't a pretentious fuck and can hit hard." He grins at me. "Troy's it." 88 ..."
on Page 91:
"... I look back as the FUCK OFF plywood door swings shut above me. There's no turning back now. When I finally stop I'm two feet from ..."
on Page 92:
"... The drums go on forever, torturing us with the prelude. They toy with the crowd, saying "fuck you" before the music's even started. 92 ..."
on Page 96:
"... He doesn't give a fuck. He's into his music and nothing else. There's no agenda. No moral to the story. No call to arms. Curt's ..."
on Page 119:
"... to find some way to enter the conversation, but by the time I open my mouth, Curt's packing to leave. "Fuck that," he says, slinging his guitar over his shoulder. ..."
on Page 120:
"... Curt kicks at the table leg. "Cough medicine?" I shake my head, and Curt gets grumpier. "Fuck that," he spits. "Doesn't anyone ever get sick around here? ..."
on Page 124:
"... "I was doing exactly what you told me to do," I say, which elicits a snort of derision. "Fuck that," he answers. "You're like some chick that's afraid to make too much noise. ..."
on Page 125:
"... eyes are locked on mine the whole time and I want to punch him, but I don't. "Fine," I say. "Fuck you. ..."
on Page 135:
"... He assumes I've screwed up, but I don't care. He's right, so I just think, Fuck him. That's how it's going to be. End of story. Except for Curt. ..."
on Page 141:
"... Could be kind of funny ... Curt laughs, too, then stops suddenly and looks me straight in the eyes. "She'd fuck you if you stay in the band," he says. ..."
on Page 143:
"... He sighs, then crinkles every saltine packet as he empties the crackers into his bowl. "Aw, fuck," he says. Then, "All right. ..."
on Page 144:
"... effort into it? Invest in some fucking hair dye.' And on one level they have a point. I'm the laziest fuck in town. ..."
on Page 151:
"... "What the fuck are you staring at?!" I yell. I don't think about it. The words just come out. Only later do I ..."
on Page 167:
"... "Well, fuck off." He's never told me to fuck off before. Even when he was pissed during practice he never meant it. ..."
on Page 168:
"... I never dreamed of. I love listening to him, and at first I let him lead, but then I think, Fuck that. ..."
on Page 178:
"... I'm expecting him to tell me to fuck off again, but he doesn't. He bites his lip and twists the needle from his IV. His hands clutch the ..."
on Page 182:
"... "We're going to be huge," I tell him. "Fuck the weatherman, we're going to be huge!" He gives me a weird look, but I don't have time to explain. ..."
on Page 3:
"... He's the only fucking genius guitar player I've ever met. And, of course, he's the only one to get up in the middle of ..."
on Page 9:
"... " I want to say, "Open your eyes. I'm a fucking three-hundred- pound teenager living in the most unforgiving city on earth. ..."
on Page 37:
"... to tell you. Because, see, T, I can tell you don't believe we can have the most awesome band ever, fucking ever, with 37 ..."
on Page 38:
"... forward, looking for the answer to what I'm not embracing that will allow Curt and me to form the best fucking band ever. ..."
on Page 61:
"... "Oh, man, that was the coolest! That was so fucking awesome! Do you know how many trains I could ride for free? We could do this all the time. We ..."
on Page 89:
"... Finally, Mike takes a long drag and shakes his head. "Fucking psychotic control freak." Curt grins. ..."
on Page 93:
"... A., ain't got fucking much to say, don't we all want it that way? It's the most amazing thing I've ever seen in my ..."
on Page 94:
"... head ready to explode . A woman in black leather winks at me across the room and suddenly I'm a fucking sex god. ..."
on Page 96:
"... The Puppets sing about fear, but Curt sings about waking up nowhere, when it's dark out and you've got no fucking clue where you are. And the whole time he's singing the guitar is saying everything Curt won't. It's so clear ..."
on Page 101:
"... to the floor and I wasn't even looking and then, bam, he's crashing into me. I was like one huge fucking air bag. ..."
on Page 125:
"... Now see how we'll fucking practice." I cross my arms over my chest and for a long time neither of us says anything. Then Curt ..."
on Page 130:
"... We'll open with "Lonely," then move on to "Fucking a Cat" and "NyQuil " If I feel confident I'm to add something to the conversation . ..."
on Page 131:
"... SKINNY KID MAKES BIG FUCKING MISTAKE. The noise outside increases in volume and the lights dim. The dreadlocked woman sticks her head in. "Time," she ..."
on Page 133:
"... "Don't bail on me," he whispers. "I swear to the big fucking A, Troy. Don't bail on me." I don't respond. I'm staring into the audience, ..."
on Page 134:
"... It wasn't. It wasn't fucking funny. A cab pulls up, and I rub my eyes, then turn to stare at The Dump one last time ..."
on Page 136:
"... "Listen," he says, "I know you're embarrassed about the gig, but you shouldn't be. You're a fucking legend now, man. I've been trying to get through to tell you. ..."
on Page 138:
"... shrug. Curt runs his fingers through his hair and says, "Well, it's a good thing you're here because you so fucking owe me dinner. ..."
on Page 139:
"... "Sorry," I say, but it's not what he wants to hear. His head snaps back up. "Don't be fucking sorry," he says. "Why are you apologizing for my snot? ..."
on Page 144:
"... ' they say, `why don't you dress the part? Put a little effort into it? Invest in some fucking hair dye.' And on one level they have a point. I'm the laziest fuck in town. ..."
on Page 146:
"... my opinion they should just eat and be done with it. What the hell do they have to worry about? "Fucking twigs from hell," I say, just to be contrary. ..."
on Page 165:
"... "Are you fucking insane? Of course I won't be out of here by Saturday . I have pneumonia." He drags the word out ..."
on Page 172:
"... The other half think, You fucking moron you're about to betray your only friend and give up the opportunity of a lifetime. ..."
on Page 178:
"... says. "We have our last best shot at a gig, you bail on me again, and you think it's the fucking deal of a lifetime ?" He chokes. "Oh, man, T. ..."
on Page 179:
"... and sounds like he can't get enough air. There's sweat on his forehead and his nose is running. He's a fucking mess. I hand him a clump of Kleenex, forcing them into his fingers, ..."
on Page 180:
"... You don't get to fucking save me. I saved you, remember? That's how ]: want it." My heart pounds. "Fine," 1 say. ..."
on Page 182:
"... the top and Curt ditches the chair. He stands before me, trying to pretend he hates my guts. "Your dad fucking kidnapped me," he says at last, glancing over his shoulder. ..."
from Front Matter:
"... I'm a fucking three- hundred-pound teenager living in the most unforgiving city on earth. I'm ugly and dumb and I make stupid noises ..."
on Page 65:
"... " I shake my head. "That fucker." He punches his palm with his fist and I panic. "Listen, you don't have to ... I mean, I don't ..."
on Page 151:
"... He makes a noise that's unintelligible , so I shake him again. "You fucker," I yell. My fat cheeks flap. "What did you take? What the hell did you take? ..."
on Page 6:
"... Then, "Yes." "No" again, then, "Damn, damn, damn, shit. Yes. French fries and ketchup. Lots of ketchup. Oh, man." Curt grins so big I think his face will split ..."
on Page 11:
"... "I like to lay things on the line," he says. "Life ain't Hollywood." He curls up tighter. "Life is shit." 6. WANT TO LEAVE, but Curt wants to talk. ..."
on Page 12:
"... "Yeah?" he says. "What school?" "W. T. Watson." "No shit?" One eye opens. "That was my school." "Mmm," I say, unsure how to respond. "Like it?" he asks. ..."
on Page 20:
"... "And vocals," he adds. "I do awesome vocals." I nod. "Arid vocals." My father's eyes narrow. "Shit," says Dayle. Dad glares at him while I rush to say just one more thing. ..."
on Page 24:
"... Holy shit, I think, he's concave. Curt ignores me. He walks to the living room while simultaneously trying to pull a T-shirt ..."
on Page 28:
"... My breath tastes like the bottom of someone's shoe after he's stepped in clog shit. If I have to be fat couldn't I at least have minty- fresh breath? ..."
on Page 38:
"... see ... she taught me to love music. So I was three and Dad would be all giving me this shit, like, practice, practice, practice, ..."
on Page 40:
"... He's on his knees leaning backward, making crazy punk rock faces and I swear he doesn't give a shit what he looks like. I know without a doubt that Curt would play this guitar part in the same way ..."
on Page 41:
"... Life gives, life takes away. Everything changes when Curt looks at the clock. "Shit, shit, shit, shit. We've got to get out of here. ..."
on Page 43:
"... something that feels like a severed head. Holy shit, I think, it's all over. I'm going to hurl. I leap backward, crashing into the dresser, and a thousand perfume ..."
on Page 44:
"... I pass them and the man turns around to stare. "Holy shit, Hazel. You see that kid? That kid was, like, three hundred pounds. ..."
on Page 54:
"... He smells like shit and we all know he's a junkie." He turns to me. "What, are you on drugs now? That's all I ..."
on Page 58:
"... He's calling me a "fat ass, tub of lard, shit-brained motherfucker" but I don't stop to argue. He's prob- ably right, but at least I've got my balls. ..."
on Page 101:
"... I am completely high. Then the panic hits. If Dad finds out ... "Holy shit." The thought is sobering. Ollie laughs. "You're not that high," he says, his voice cracking on "that. ..."
on Page 113:
"... ~' `~~ I'M A SWEATING FAT KID practicing the drums. I come home from school and my day's been shit, but do I turn on the television ? ..."
on Page 118:
"... too late. I don't hit the drums hard enough. He hates me. Curt flops down on my bed. "Life is shit," he says. 118 ..."
on Page 119:
"... Who needs to listen to goddamn gimmicky bastards from the suburbs who don't know shit? They shouldn't be allowed on stage, and, furthermore , maybe someone should steal from them. That's what I think. ..."
on Page 120:
"... Maybe life is shit, I think. All I want is for Curt to come back. ~h. 1' IT'S WEDNESDAY AND CURT'S BACK. ..."
on Page 124:
"... do you want from me? The neighbors keep complain- ing and my father's in the other-" Curt cuts me off. "Shit. ..."
on Page 126:
"... call me "fatty" and "lard ass" and "blubber." I'll think, You unoriginal mental midgets with brains the size of rabbit shit, but I won't say that. ..."
on Page 131:
"... voice, but instead of making me hot it makes me want to puke. Curt watches me and shakes his head. "Shit," he says. I can see the caption above his head. ..."
on Page 133:
"... Someone is laughing. It's Curt. He stares, wide- eyed, grinning like he's just seen the best show on earth. "Holy shit," he says. ..."
on Page 134:
"... It's overflowing and smells like shit. I puke again onto the sidewalk, then wipe my mouth with my T-shirt. A rat crawls by and I shoo ..."
on Page 11:
"... "This isn't some after-school special where you learn to love yourself by saving my sorry ass. I saved you, remember? Let's keep that straight. ..."
on Page 38:
"... time. Yeah ... and my dad, my father I mean, taught me to play guitar, because he was a real kick-ass guitar player. ..."
on Page 57:
"... "Who the fuck are you? Where's Curt?" he demands. "You come here to meet that sorry-ass son of a . . ." The line of epithets continues while my brain screams, Get out, get out, get ..."
on Page 58:
"... He's calling me a "fat ass, tub of lard, shit-brained motherfucker" but I don't stop to argue. He's prob- ably right, but at least I've got ..."
on Page 60:
"... then running in a half circle to play the role of terrified stepfather watching my huge ass descend. I stop twitching and chuckle despite myself. ..."
on Page 91:
"... "Better find your way down front, stage right," he says. "This is going to be a kick-ass show." With those magic words the bewitched whale, who is really a punk rock drummer cursed by the wicked sorcerer ..."
on Page 103:
"... Hot air inside the club, crowded bodies, a girl's ass rubbing against my thigh, violent thrashing, something uncontained . ..."
on Page 106:
"... "You won't skip?" he says at last. "I can't," I say, then hurry to cover my ass. "But I still want to practice. The concert was incredible. ..."
on Page 112:
"... trying to say is that if you and Ollie think I can be a good drummer , I'll work my ass off. ..."
on Page 113:
"... while I'm thinking, This is not funny and anyone who says it is can go to hell. I'm working my ass off, just like I said I would. ..."
on Page 116:
"... I wish I'd tried harder because my pants make my ass look enormous. I have the Empire State Building of asses. Some people have a bad hair day-I have a bad ..."
on Page 126:
"... more. They'll call me "fatty" and "lard ass" and "blubber." I'll think, You unoriginal mental midgets with brains the size of rabbit shit, but I won't say that. ..."
on Page 130:
"... I can't remember how I ever allowed myself to get to this point-- forced into making an ass out of myself in front of a potentially violent crowd. ..."
on Page 131:
"... is the essence of punk rock, see, and once he gets out there he's going to kick some serious skinny ass." He smiles, and 131 ..."
on Page 134:
"... It was funny for Curt, right? Curt laughed right away. The audience laughed once he did. He saved my ass, there's no denying that, but I hate that he laughed. Why did he think it was funny? ..."
on Page 137:
"... "Now, I'm not telling you what to do, but if I were you I'd get my ass up and find him. I think he's moved to one of the subway stations now...." He pauses again, waiting for ..."
on Page 160:
"... "What do you mean she's not coming? Did you speak to her? Not the ass-not his stepfather, but her? Did you tell her he's in the freaking hospital?" 160 ..."
on Page 165:
"... let a little thing like me being hospitalized stand in the way of our second big debut. We're gonna kick ass. Oh," he adds, "and I've invited all the nurses. ..."
on Page 171:
"... Walk around bare ass and no one cares. Sweet." I still haven't said anything. I'm picturing Curt, half his ass hanging out, picking the ..."
on Page 182:
"... Curt. "Let's have this conversation." This time I lead. I slide in behind the drum set and let my huge ass sprawl over the chair. ..."
on Page 13:
"... "Except she married this asshole who"-he coughs-"is a wife beater hypocrite asshole, so really it's more like I used to live with her, but now ..."
on Page 26:
"... are, we'll make plans to pick up my guitar from my mom's place and start jamming when she and the asshole are at work. When I think you've got it, it being the technical drumming part of course, we'll pick up ..."
on Page 47:
"... Before he turned into a self-centered asshole. We don't talk about it, ever, but when Mom was dying and Dad had to spend all his time at ..."
on Page 59:
"... .. this guy there, and. .." Curt looks up, interested for the first time. "The asshole?" I nod, catch my breath, and force my cheeks not to puff. ..."
on Page 147:
"... He's talking to the woman and he looks like the same pompous asshole I've been watching for the last hour. Truly. Then he moves the fork and a piece of pasta falls off. ..."
on Page 160:
"... about his mom as if she's the decent one. Maybe when she hears he's in the hospital she'll kick the asshole out and let Curt back in. ..."
on Page 58:
"... He's calling me a "fat ass, tub of lard, shit-brained motherfucker" but I don't stop to argue. He's prob- ably right, but at least I've got my balls. ..."
on Page 91:
"... There's a guy with kinky orange hair standing beside me. He's screaming, "Come on, motherfuckers," over and over again even though there's no one on stage yet. ..."
Commentary
by Rev. Dan Marler, pastor of the First Church of God, Oak Lawn
September 17, 2007
As I've read and heard arguments for and against the book, "Fat Kid Rules The World," I've noticed that most people are willing to admit the obvious fact that the language in the book is coarse and foul. Even people who feel that the book should stay on the school reading list seem to agree that the language is strong. But in defense of the book, we hear that moral judgments in these kinds of matters are subjective.
The argument seems to rest on a relativistic concept that could be expressed like this: "Who's to say what's really appropriate or indecent?"
Well, let's consider a few objective facts:
The language in "Fat Kid," specifically the pervasive use of the "F" word, would be considered indecent and inappropriate by the Federal Communications Commission and would not be allowed on the public airwaves. That word - as well as a few others that appear in the book - would get beeped on MTV, Comedy Central, ABC, NBC, CBS, etc.
The language would be deemed indecent and inappropriate and unfit for publication in the newspaper.
The language would be considered indecent and inappropriate in a court of law.
The language would be considered indecent and inappropriate by the Motion Picture Association of America as evidenced by the likely assignment of an "R" rating for a work containing frequent use of such.
The language likely would receive an "M" for "Mature" rating (recommended age 17+) from the Entertainment Software Rating Board based on their content descriptor labeled "Strong Language," which is defined as "explicit and/or frequent use of profanity."
Perhaps most ironically, the language would be considered indecent and inappropriate by the very school that placed the book on the reading list. Neither a teacher nor a student would be allowed to use this language in the classroom.
The judgment that this language is indecent and inappropriate, by all of these groups, is not my subjective opinion. This is objectively true.
So on what objective basis does a taxpayer-funded public school place a book with indecent, inappropriate and offensive language on a reading list for the children to whom they are responsible for, among other things, training and development of virtue and moral responsibility?
Response to ‘Fat Kid’ school board decision
August 18, 2007
What astonished me, a concerned parent, with “The Fat Kid” book controversy decision was that all members of the Board, the superintendent, principal, and teachers believed gutter literature could be used to establish a good end. What happened to these educators who pinned their expectations on a good result despite the book's overflowing garbage-filled content and porn-laden pages?! How many of them would purchase a DVD or CD of like content and have their own children “enjoy” such trash with the hope a good message would be learned?
By buying into the “street mentality,” District 126 educational leaders ignored the damage to the young formative minds of children beaten down with repetitive filth and sexual innuendos.
The school media consultant's defense of the book was that racy material is, in essence, necessary to “hook boys into reading.” Every parent should be insulted that the criteria used to hook boys on reading was profanity and sexually explicit material. If this is the standard, what is next?
Karen Lukes
School board apologizes for book, but won't withdraw it
The Daily Southtown
August 17, 2007
By David H. Montgomery, Staff writer
At a Wednesday night meeting, the District 126 school board apologized for not warning parents about a controversial book on Prairie Junior High School's eighth-grade summer reading list but refused to remove the book from the list.
The book, "Fat Kid Rules the World" by K.L. Going, has come under attack from parents as inappropriate for eighth-graders because of profanity and mature content.
"The book's content is inappropriate for young teens beginning to understand bodily changes and sexual powers," said parent Karen Lukes, of Oak Lawn, at the meeting. Lukes read excerpts of the book to the board, highlighting expletives and descriptions of adolescent sexual desire.
Board president Jerry Mulvihill announced that future summer reading lists would include reviews and other information for parents to help their children choose appropriate books.
A dozen people, including Illinois Family Institute executive director David Smith, criticized the book.
While some speakers wanted the book removed from school libraries, others asked only that it not be included as an option on the mandatory summer reading list.
Students had to choose one of six novels to read over the summer. They must discuss their choice and take a test on it once classes resume.
"Fat Kid" was included as an option along with other books such as Sharon Flake's "Money Hungry" and J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."
Book 'has a market'
Language arts teacher Rita McDermott, who helped create the summer reading program, said that Prairie's language arts teachers had picked up a "buzz" about the award-winning book from students who had read it on their own.
"It definitely has a market," McDermott said. "It hooked the boys, our reluctant readers, at a sophisticated level, who felt that they had grown out of the literature that we were recommending to them. We wanted to give them another option that we felt would appeal."
All the teachers who recommended "Fat Kid" had read the book. Mulvihill said most of the board members also read it after hearing of Lukes' complaint.
"We all felt the same emotion that several of the participants at the meeting felt when we first heard the language," Mulvihill said. "(But) once we had the opportunity to read the book, understand the theme of the book and hear the rationale of the professional staff ... we began to understand both sides of it."
Teachers, administrators and board members said the profanity and mature content of "Fat Kid" were probably excessive and apologized repeatedly for not warning parents. However, they felt that the positive message of the book outweighed the negatives for mature readers.
Media center director Camille Hogan said that "Fat Kid" had a "real positive message: Don't give in to despair, and don't give up."
Adolescents "believe that they're the only ones who have ever felt this way," Hogan said. "Sometimes, when you have a book where a character is feeling lonely and desperate -- as is the character Troy in this book -- our students are very much appreciative of being able to read a novel and go, 'It's not just me.'"
Many not satisfied
Smith, the director of the Illinois Family Institute, said he was shocked at the board's decision.
"I was very disappointed that those who are hired by the taxpayers to take care of the upbringing and education of children ... failed to see that this book was inappropriate," Smith said. "I'm shocked that they would actually defend this book for one moment."
Lukes said she was disappointed but took heart from Mulvihill's statement that this was the "beginning of a dialogue."
"As a parent, I still think it saddens me that they think it's appropriate material for any junior-high age student," Lukes said. "I would like to see them take a second look at this."
For now, "Fat Kid" remains on the summer reading list, and the board refused to say it won't show up in future years -- though Prairie Junior High School Principal Craig Gwaltney said that most of the books on the list change each year.
Teachers and officials said they hoped similar controversies would not occur in the future, thanks to improved communication, with future reading lists including more information about each book.
Lukes said a warning would have "softened the personal blow" of the book. "One thing is, (my son) wouldn't have read it," she said. But from a "value-based notion," the book did not seem appropriate for a school reading list.
"The problem is the age-appropriateness of putting it on a recommended reading list for 13- and 14-year-olds," Lukes said.
David H. Montgomery may be reached at
dmontgomery@dailysouthtown.com
or (708) 633-5962.
Mother Responds to Published Inaccuracies
August 16, 2007
In regard to the recent article and the letter to the editor published in the Daily Southtown, the thing that really stands out, is the misrepresentation of the facts.
This is not about book banning or me trying to tell someone else's child what to read or not read. This is about the reading and language team of District 126 pushing a vulgar, porn-laden book on 13 and 14 year old students.
The book was endorsed on a summer reading list of six choices. There were no reviews or warnings to parents regarding the content. As admitted at the school board meeting on August 15th, the language team knew what the book was all about. Language teacher McDermott said, "It hooked the boys, our reluctant readers, at a sophisticated level. We wanted to give them another option that would appeal to them."
Let it be known, I have read the entire "Fat Kid" and am still convinced that it's absurd to think any positive message outweighs the bad content. Anyone who thinks this is banning, should consider that the school is admitting fault and has apologized for "not warning parents."
This is about inappropriate recommended reading for children.
Sincerely,
Karen Lukes
Letters to the Editor
Daily Southtown's Headline: "School Board Applauded for Standing up to Critic of Book"
The Daily Southtown
August 7, 2007
I would like to highly commend Alsip, Hazelgreen and Oak Lawn School District 126 administrators and Alsip's Prairie Junior High's staff for standing behind their choice of "Fat Kid Rules the World" by K.L. Going as a summer reading selection. If Karen Lukes objects to the language and content in the book, she should help her 8th-grade son choose something more acceptable to her sensibilities and let the other parents and students choose for themselves.
I wonder if Ms. Lukes has read the entire book, or has she gotten caught up in the language and mature content alone? Having read the book myself, I will admit I was a little concerned, at first, about the language and slightly taken aback by some of the content until I had finished the whole story.
Going has written a remarkable tale about the power of friendship, the importance of self-esteem, the ability and necessity of fitting in an adolescent's world and the forgiving nature of family, no matter what form that family takes. The fact that she tells the story using teenage voices and the type of language they generally use just adds to the authenticity of the characters and storyline.
Should this book be required reading for all 8th-graders? No, definitely not. This book is intended for more mature students (and there are many) who are capable of handling the language and situations and able to understand the overall theme of the book without falling prey to prurience.
It is Ms. Lukes choice whether or not her son reads this book. However, just as she asks, "What kind of message does it send?" about having this book on the reading list, book banning also is not an acceptable message to send to students. Consequently, there should be no reason for her to expect the district to restrict any other students' access to this award-winning book. Yes, parents have the final say in what their own children read, but they do not and should not be allowed to dictate what any other children should or should not read.
Marybeth Raynes
Matteson
Oak Lawn mom demands ban on racy book
The Daily Southtown
August 3, 2007
By Angela Caputo Staff writer
Karen Lukes didn't think much about the book that her son randomly picked from a list of suggested summer reading compiled by teachers at Alsip's Prairie Junior High.
Frankly, she said, she was thrilled to see the 14-year-old crack a book during the break from school.
But as the Oak Lawn mother began to read alongside her soon-to-be eighth-grader, she was stunned to discover that "Fat Kid Rules the World" by K.L. Going was laced with profanity and other mature content.
Now she wants Alsip, Hazelgreen and Oak Lawn School District 126 administrators to shelve the book for good.
"I want it pulled," Lukes said. "It's vulgar, and it's a total contradiction. The kids can't go around and talk like this ... What kind of message does it send?"
District 126 Supt. Robert Berger stands by the award-winning selection as one of many books offered to students. All seventh- and eighth-graders at Prairie Junior High are required to read at least one book, preferably from the recommended summer reading list, before school begins.
"These are standard pieces of literature used (in schools) across the country," Berger said. "Appropriateness is for students and parents to judge."
Berger said two other parents have complained about the book.
"Fat Kid Rules the World" chronicles the friendship between an angst-ridden teen named Troy and Curt, a homeless punk-rocker. The pair first cross paths as Troy contemplates throwing himself from a subway platform in a suicide attempt.
The coming-of-age novel, which broaches mature subjects -- from drug and alcohol use to adolescent sexual fantasies to ditching school -- has been compared to J. D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye."
When it was published in 2003, "Fat Kid Rules the World" ranked on the "Best Books" list compiled by the School Library Journal. Going also received The Michael L. Printz award, which is sponsored by a publication of the American Library Association.
Despite its literary acclaim, Dan Marler -- who also is a District 126 parent and the pastor of The First Church of God in Oak Lawn -- questioned if the book is too mature for such an impressionable audience.
"You're dealing with children. Isn't there some measure of what's appropriate?" he said. "On television there is. In movies there are."
Under the rating system of the Motion Picture Association of America, the book would push the limits of a PG-13 rating.
A single use of a sexually-derived expletive requires at least a PG-13 rating, according to the association's guidelines. More than one such expletive requires an R rating if used in a sexual context.
The San Francisco-based nonprofit Common Sense Media, however, gave the book a green light for readers 14 and older.
The organization analyzes books -- examining sexual appropriateness, violence, social behavior and drug, alcohol and tobacco use -- for parents interested in filtering through a barrage of children's media.
"For a lot of parents, the industry sanctions don't provide a lot of information about content," Common Sense Media spokesman Jay Senter said. "We're a place to give parents tools to allow them to make the right decisions."
Lukes acknowledged that it's ultimately up to parents to decide what's best for their children, but she said parents are supposed to be able to trust school officials to choose appropriate material.
"No parent can go and read all six books to preview them," said Lukes, who plans to take her concerns to the school board at its August meeting.
"I don't want the administration to endorse this ... And I want some kind of commitment that they won't use it again," she said.
Angela Caputo may be reached at
acaputo@dailysouthtown.com
or (708) 633-5993.
