Curtis High School librarian Judy Carlson, who reviewed the title with Banks, agreed that its removal was appropriate because “We live in risky times, and I want to keep our students safe.” But Brent Hartinger, who wrote Geography Club, countered in a News Tribune guest editorial, “The only reason my character is in that chat room in the first place is because he feels he can’t be open [about his sexuality] at his school—attitudes which are being reinforced . . . by the banning of my book.”
Margery Ceccarelli, president of the Parent Teacher Student Association for the Curtis Junior and Senior high schools, stated in a November 22 letter to the editor that the complainants, who had originally contacted her after having read no more than the book jacket, “were adamant that the library was promoting aberrant sexual behavior by having this book available. . . . Never once did they mention the chat room.” “This is the most bogus thing I’ve heard of,” agreed parent Connie Claussen, who told the newspaper that she intended to appeal the ban.
Posted December 5, 2005.