EDITOR’S NOTE: It was brought to the Pioneer’s attention the results of Tillamook School District 9’s Curriculum Review Committee meeting held July 29, 2024. The committee reviewed the book How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez. The book was being used in the 10th grade honors class as one of several options a student could choose to read (it was not required for students to read but simply an option.) The book has been evaluated and approved by the state board of education and it aligns with Oregon standards illustrating diverse perspectives (i.e., the immigrant experience and girls’/womens’ experience).
The committee voted 4-3 “not to retain” the book. This means the book will not be part of the honors curriculum but will remain in the school library. The objections were primarily around sexual content but at no point did anyone cite a passage from the book or provide an example of what they found objectionable. The English teacher using the book and a parent of a student from the honors class both gave eloquent arguments in support of the book.
The school board will make the final decision on Monday August 12th (likely aligning with the committee’s recommendation.) There is concern about the process that was used to review this book as it was not objective or rigorous. We are continuing to gather information about this situation, finding that there may be other books that have been removed without proper review. Parents and concerned citizens should reach out to the district and high school about the process of “Curriculum Review”. The next school board meeting is August 12th at 5:30 pm, in person at the district office or there is a virtual option available on the TSD9 website – https://www.tillamook.k12.or.us/ When we were notified about this situation, the Pioneer’s book reviewer Jim Heffernan read the book and provides his view of the book below.
By Jim Heffernan
I was attracted to this book because I heard that it was being considered for removal from the reading list for Tillamook High School’s 10th Grade English Honors class because of sexual content. I hold our Constitutional freedoms as precious and it always perks my interest when I hear of them being stepped on for our “protection.”
I decided to read the book to see what the fuss was about. I was expecting more in the way a sexual content. I really didn’t find very much sex, but I did find a well-written book that thoroughly explored the plight of young girls growing into adulthood and split between two cultures.
Julia Alvarez was born in New York, but moved with her parents back to the Dominican Republic when she was three months old. When she was 10 (1960), they were forced to leave because of involvement in an attempt to overthrow the dictator Rafael Trujillo. This was her first of 8 books. In 1999, a panel of New York City Librarians included it on the list of “21 new classics for the 21st.century. In 2013, President Obama awarded her with a National Medal of Arts.
The Garcia sisters are 4 sisters born five years apart in the Dominican Republic during the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo. The oldest sister was born in 1947.
The book is actually a collection of 15 short stories. Each concentrates on a particular sister and her experiences at the time. The book progresses in reverse chronological order. Part 1 is the years 1989-1972 when the sisters are in their 30’s and 40’s. Part 2 is the years 1970-1960 and Part 3 is the years 1960-1956.
I found the stories to be well written and a good look at the problems of growing up split between two cultures. Some of the stories talk about how the sisters thought about sex and how they talked to each other about it.
Here’s what a 10th Grade teacher’s review from Goodreads:
It was a pleasure reading this novel. This time, Ms. Alvarez’s earnest writing is at ease- less controlled than “Butterflies” (which was her second book). The book is reminiscent of Sandra Cisneros’ “The House on Mango Street” and Junot Diaz’s “Drown” in the sense that there is a predominant voice and narrator- Yolanda Garcia, the third sister and alter ego of Ms. Alvarez’s herself; just like Esperanza and Yunior. With biting humor, and simple, straightforward sentences, the characters jump the page and you experience what they’re experiencing firsthand: the universal pangs of life, coming of age, and the stresses of assimilation and caught between old world traditions, and new world ideas. I find that it would appeal to young teenagers as well- and hopefully, young girls and women who might be drawn into a sharp narrative and good writing. (part of a much longer review posted by “N”)
As always, discussion welcome at codger817@gmail.com.
Available at Cloud and Leaf Bookstore, Manzanita and Tillamook Public Library 308 Pages, Published June 1991