Article published Feb 25, 2006
Be Aware of Some Books for Teens
I read the letter from Cathy Haynes of the Coshocton Public Library (Teen Literature Awards Helpful for Selecting, Feb. 7, 2006).
I strongly recommend that parents read the books the American Library Association
selects for minors and are available for them in Ohio libraries.
Here are three examples of books available for minors at the young adult section
of the Coshocton Library (young adult = anyone under 18):
- "GLBTQ (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning): The
survival guide for queer and questioning teens," by Kelly Huegel (ISBN
1575421267)
- "Kissing Kate," by Lauren Miracle (ISBN 0142402419). Quoted
from the book: "Heather acted like it was perfectly normal that
she loved another woman, and I'd felt all proud of myself for treating it
that way, too."
- "Rainbow Boys," by Alex Sanchez (ISBN 0142402419). Summary:
"Three high school seniors, a jock with a girlfriend and an alcoholic
father, a closeted gay, and a flamboyant gay rights advocate, struggle with
family issues, gay bashers, first sex, and conflicting feelings about each
other."
The "Gay, lesbian, transgendered and bisexual Roundtable" is a section of the
ALA concerned with "the future of gay books for children" (http://www.ala.org/ala/glbtrt/welcomeglbtround.htm).
Obviously parents have no idea that books about group and anal sex are readily
available in Ohio public libraries to their minor children. Librarians
nowadays (encouraged by the ALA) believe they no longer serve in loco parentis,
something they did since Jefferson's time. What parent would suspect librarians
decided allowing children to read absolutely anything in a public library is
what "freedom of speech" is about?
Although I live in Huron, like all Ohioans 5.7 percent of my State Income Taxes
go to funding filth like the ones listed in the ALA Web site, hence my need
to put in my two cents.
Milla Kette
Huron