Across the nation, a number of school districts have banned books at the insistence of parents or lawmakers. The highest-profile book being banned this year is the graphic novel “Maus,” which tells the story of the Holocaust.
According to the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom, the most banned books include “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck, “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison and the “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling.
However, no books have been banned by the Queen Creek Unified School District or the J.O. Combs Unified School District.
“This year we have not received any complaints about our books or supplemental resources,” said Kayla Fulmer, director of marketing and community relations at J.O. Combs. “We are able to provide a list of supplemental resources by grade to any parent who asks, and previously have been able to provide an alternative assignment in the event there is an issue with the materials presented.”
The QCUSD also has a policy of providing supplemental reading material to parents who might object to a book, but so far, no issues have been reported.
“I'm not aware of any complaints,” said Jessica Bautista, director of marketing and public relations for QCUSD.
Under QCUSD policy, the superintendent approves the purchase of library books, materials and electronic media that:
Enrich and support the curriculum, taking into consideration the varied interests, abilities and maturity levels of the students served.
Stimulate growth in factual knowledge, literary appreciation, aesthetic values and ethical standards.
Provide a background of information that will enable students to make intelligent judgments in their daily lives.
Provide materials representative of the many religious, ethnic and cultural groups and their contributions to our American heritage.
Assure a comprehensive collection appropriate for the users of the library.
Provide a current, balanced collection of books, basic reference materials, texts, periodicals and audiovisual materials that depict in an accurate and unbiased way the cultural diversity and pluralistic nature of American society.
The Arizona House passed a GOP-led House bill that would make it illegal for schools to include material in their curriculum that includes sexual conduct, suggest “sexual stimulation or arousal” or feature any acts of homosexuality.
Janet Perez News Editor | Queen Creek &
San Tan Valley @AzNewsmedia
Meet Janet Janet Perez joined Independent Newsmedia as editor of the Queen Creek Independent and Florence Independent in 2020. She started her career in 1989 with the Gannett-owned El Paso Times. In 1992, she moved to Tempe and has worked in newspapers, magazines, radio and television. She left Arizona for three years to work at New Mexico State University and Baylor University before returning to work at Arizona State University. Missing the business, she went back to journalism in 2017.
Community: A long-time pet owner, she supports animal welfare causes.
Education: University of Texas at El Paso with a BA in journalism and a minor in political science.
Random Fact: She had a head full of random facts.
Hobbies: Reading, watching documentaries, cooking and playing with her dogs.
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