EDITOR’S NOTE: The letters continue to come in, and more community members sign up united against book bans. The Tillamook School District Board did not have the book ban reversal on the agenda, and several community members spoke during the comment period asking them to do so. The school board chair indicated that they stand behind the board’s decision, and will not consider a reversal. GOOD NEWS – The book is back in the High School library, though we still aren’t sure when it “re-appeared” as the school district would not provide that information. We had requested information about the books availability in the library, but until yesterday, had been unable to confirm that it was in the library. There have been comments about mis-information on social media, and that is due to the lack of communication from the school district. To sign up to stand up against book bans, email to tillamookunitedagainstbookbans@gmail.com.
To the editor:
As an author, a parent, a grandparent and a citizen, I am writing to support the inclusion of How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents in the English curriculum and on the shelves at Tillamook High School.
The book does raise tough issues and includes tough-to-read scenes. At the same time, these issues and scenes accurately represent the world we live in. One role of literature is to present such challenges on the page so that readers may contemplate them in safety and prepare themselves for real-life situations.
Beyond that, by presenting sympathetic characters in tough situations, literature enables readers to better understand how the variety of life experience shapes others – friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens. By supporting individual understanding, literature also supports strong communities.
I am confident that the thoughtful, community-minded and generous public servants of the Tillamook School District 9 will recognize the valuable contribution of books like How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents and will make the decision to reinstate it.
Martha Freeman
Oregon resident and author of 35 books for children
Member of Authors Against Book Bans
(I also sent this to each member of the school board this morning.)
Martha Freeman
Author of Books for Children