The view of the parent who objects to Twisted is not shared by others, and they have no constitutional right to impose their judgments on all students. The district would potentially put its students at a disadvantage in college if it did not permit them to read literature of this sort in high school. Lawrence, and Nabokov, contemporary books such as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and many of the texts regularly assigned in high schools throughout the State of Pennsylvania. Indeed, if students were precluded from reading literature with sexual content, they would beĭeprived of exposure to vast amounts of important material, including Shakespeare, major religious texts such as the Bible, the works of Tolstoy, Flaubert, Joyce, Faulkner, D.H. The sexual content and themes in Twisted represent small but essential parts of the novel, consistent with the kind of material that high school students frequently read. As the American Library Association has noted, in Twisted Anderson “skillfully explores identity and power struggles that all young people Twisted is recommended for many young readers, because it tackles serious teenage concerns about sex, alcohol, grades and family in an honest and realistic way. While no book is appropriate for all readers, the decision to read a book should be made by students, guided by parents, teachers and librarians. We understand that some parents object to sexual content in the book. We write to oppose efforts to remove Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson from Downingtown West High School’s ninth grade optional reading list. The Kids’ Right to Read Project sent this letter to the superintendent opposing efforts to remove Twisted from the school’s ninth grade optional reading list:ĭr. To read Laurie Halse Anderson’s response to the challenges against her books click here. Her novel Speak was challenged in a California high school in September 2009. Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson is being challenged in Downingtown West High School in Downingtown, PA after one parent objected to sexual content in the book and it is not the only book by Laurie Halse Anderson to be challenged this month. Downingtown district followed policy in addressing the challenge to Twisted and is a model for how such incidents should be addressed. Update: The Kids’ Right to Read Project is pleased to report that Twisted will not be removed from Downingtown West High School’s reading list after a decision was reached amicably through discussion between school officials and parents. for Teachers, Parents, and School Officials.Resources for Authors of Banned and Challenged Books.

Twisted book laurie halse anderson