Nixa parents ask for nine more books to be removed from the high school library

Claudette Riley, Springfield News-Leader
·6 min read
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A second wave of challenges have been filed to remove books from the Nixa High School library.

The requests filed in late September and early October — obtained by the News-Leader through a Sunshine Law request — allege the books are vulgar, sexually explicit or not appropriate for high school students.

Earlier this year, Nixa parents and patrons targeted 16 books in the high school library for removal. Two books were banned and access to 10 others was restricted.

Nixa parents and patrons have spoken about book challenges to the school board in multiple meetings since the spring.
Nixa parents and patrons have spoken about book challenges to the school board in multiple meetings since the spring.

Brenda Rantz, chief financial officer, responded to the Sunshine Law request and said review committees are being formed for eight of the books.

Rantz said the ninth book, "Girl in Pieces," is not available in the district.

Under district policy, the review committees — which include educators and community members — will decide if the challenged books remain in the library, are removed, or are restricted, meaning they can only be checked out with parental permission.

More:Nixa school board stands firm on policy changes as parents, students debate book bans

If the individual who filed the book challenge is not satisfied with the ruling of the review committee, he or she can appeal the decision to the school board, which has the final say.

Nixa parents have long had the option to restrict their children's access to specific books by notifying the library or the school.

The nine recently challenged books include:

  • "A Court of Thorns and Roses," by Sarah J. Maas, 2016;

  • "A Court of Mist and Fury," by Sarah J. Maas, 2017;

  • "A Court of Frost and Starlight," by Sarah J. Maas, 2018;

  • "A Court of Wings and Ruin" by Sarah J. Maas, 2020;

  • "A Court of Silver Flames," by Sarah J. Maas, 2021;

  • "Empire of Storms," by Sarah J. Maas, 2016;

  • "Girl in Pieces," by Kathleen Glasgow, 2016;

  • "Lucky" by Alice Sebold, 1999;

  • "Unpregnant" by Jenni Hendriks and Ted Caplan, 2019.

'We want to protect all students'

Ten women connected to the Concerned Parents of the Ozarks group filed the book challenges earlier this year. Two of the women, Carissa Corson and Cindy Dickens, filed requests during the second wave.

The News-Leader left messages seeking comment with both women Saturday.

More:Willard parent calls for 'full audit' of school library for sexually explicit material

Both women addressed the school board during an Oct. 20 meeting, during which the board unanimously "re-voted" to update a policy outlining how library books are selected.

Corson said library materials should not contain sexually explicit language, illustrations or pictures and applauded the board for "making changes to reflect the majority of parents' desires here in Nixa."

She refuted "bogus claims" made by those opposed to banning books including that "young people deserve to see themselves reflected in library books."

In mid-May, the Nixa school board banned two books and restricted access to a third. Nine other books were restricted by review committees.
In mid-May, the Nixa school board banned two books and restricted access to a third. Nine other books were restricted by review committees.

"I assume when making this remark that the reference is to LGBT students in particular. To them, I would ask 'Why do you think it's OK for an LGBT student to be sexualized at a young age?' No minor deserves to be sexualized through books or other means, no matter their sexual orientation," Corson said Oct. 20. "We want to protect all students."

Corson said those opposed to removing books also claim that access to books helps young people navigate difficult or challenging issues.

"I agree books are tools used for understanding (complex) issues but the minor's mind is not prepared to handle a book on quantum physics, just like it's not ready to handle explicit materials," Corson said. "Giving a child too much information too quickly prevents them from following a natural progression of learning and growth."

She argued that in books "every sensation is described" and the reader "vicariously lives" through the character.

"A parent can try to explain away much of what a child might have seen on a television screen but the imprint left by the book can be far more difficult to address in a child," Corson said. "That can only happen if a parent is aware of what their child is reading."

'The floodgates are now open wide for more challenges'

After the first wave of book challenges, Nixa parents and taxpayers formed a group called U Turn in Education to fight censorship, ensure a range of diverse books in school libraries, and demand transparency from the school board and administration.

Elizabeth Dudash-Buskirk, a member of the U Turn in Education group, which is against censorship, spoke at the May meeting of the Nixa school board.
Elizabeth Dudash-Buskirk, a member of the U Turn in Education group, which is against censorship, spoke at the May meeting of the Nixa school board.

"The floodgates are now open wide for more challenges, which could mean more restrictions and removals," said Elizabeth Dudash-Buskirk, speaking for the group. "There is nothing for concerned citizens to do because the process has cut out teachers and has put the final decision in the board’s hands."

She said since parents have long had the option to restrict what books their own children check out, trying to remove books from the entire library is an overreach.

"These books have been shown to have literary merit, artistic merit, and increase social understanding and empathy. They have won awards and been on the shelves for decades," Dudash-Buskirk said. "The assertion for their removal only demonstrates Nixa’s lack of initiative in diversifying education."

More:Nixa High School restricts access to 10 books including Toni Morrison's 'The Bluest Eye'

The new wave of book challenges started Sept. 14. The group expressed frustration that the district did not make the list public earlier.

"The school board has repeatedly touted its commitment to transparency. Yet, they do not make challenges public until they are Sunshined. They do not inform the community, only the PTSA," she said. "They do not produce voting decisions done behind closed doors until they are called out on them."

Book targeted for removal 'undermines parental authority'

Of the nine new challenges, six are fantasy fiction books by Sarah J. Maas, a New York Times best-selling author who has written three series for young adult readers.

All five books in Maas' "A Court of Thorns and Roses" series are on the list.

In requesting their removal from the library collection, Corson wrote the same passage: "This book contains pervasively vulgar and explicit sexual content. Not suitable for minors."

Nixa High School students have repeatedly asked the school board not to ban library books. They have also spoken in support of the librarians.
Nixa High School students have repeatedly asked the school board not to ban library books. They have also spoken in support of the librarians.

Corson wrote that in "Unpregnant," an underage girl from a conservative Christian home in Missouri seeks an abortion in another state and travels without the knowledge of her parents to "end the life of her baby."

"This book is considered a comedy," Corson wrote in the request. "It also goes against Nixa's sex education policy and undermines parental authority."

Alice Sebold, known for the 2002 novel "The Lovely Bones," wrote the memoir "Lucky" about being raped near a tunnel as a university student and how that experience shaped her life. She has repeatedly said in interviews that her goal for writing the book was to raise awareness of rape and support survivors.

In the request filed by Dickens, she wrote that the book is "not educational material" and included "horribly graphic rape detail."

Dickens noted: "In the hands of a professional, this could be used to help a kid going through a similar situation."

She also sought removal of "Girl in Pieces," a novel that details self-harm and suicide. It is not part of the high school library collection.

Claudette Riley covers education for the News-Leader. Email tips and story ideas to criley@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Nixa parents ask high school library to remove nine more books