Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I want to complain about school book choices!

107 replies

Anon150 · 02/08/2025 23:52

My dd is between year 9 and year 10.
We are not in the UK
She is at an all girls school

So far for English she has read a book about teenage pregnancy which she said was dull, today she tells me the book they are reading next term involves a graphic description of how someone committed suicide.

Youth mental health is a big problem and a huge focus. Where we live it is illegal for the news to give details about the method of suicide.

I am quite cross with the school and want to write and complain that they have exposed the kids to this when really it isn’t allowed, I think for vulnerable youth it’s a really poor decision.

I admit I am traumatised by being made to read a book in school that I still find the contents ‘difficult’ I was talking to my Mother (ex English teacher!) about it today and it literally brought tears to my eyes. However I also think the book choices for dd are poor and dull (English teacher Mother agrees!) I’m conflicted whether I should write and complain or not. I don’t want to be “that” parent but the choices are really poor, they have not been chosen for literary merit. Dd loves school but not English!

OP posts:
Pinkmoll · 03/08/2025 04:52

I admire that you're not only taking an active interest but doing something about your concerns. Good luck.

FenderStrat · 03/08/2025 04:44

We need to know the title of the book.

Original poster
Anon150 · 03/08/2025 04:14

Sorry back with answers, the books aren’t mandated or specified as part of a syllabus and no parents didn’t receive any kind of list or advanced warning.

I’m not in Australia so that’s interesting but not relevant here.

They havn’t discussed suicide with a trained teacher they’ve been given a book to read at home over the holidays.

I’m all for discussing difficult things in an appropriate way (I do it regularly at work) but we have increasing issues with youth mental health and the feeling is that detailed discussion of suicide will increase attempts amongst young people. I am also aware that that view is contentious and probably don’t completely share the views of the government around those discussions myself. I personally suspect a more supportive, problem solving, positive actions to take etc. route would be a better approach and probably what happens in the PSHE equivalent classes but that’s not what has taken place here.

However it is as I said in my post 14 year olds have been handed a book to read at home over the holidays and all of a sudden they are reading a graphic description about how this character committed suicide.

I am also all for kids being bored and putting down their phones and running around with a jam sandwich until the street lights come on and so on. However I’m not thrilled that my child was given this with no oversight.

I’m aware that they won’t change the book now (they’ve already handed it out) I’m surprised that the kids have been handed such a graphic book and left to get on with it in light of all the other stuff going on. I do wish they would make ‘better’ choices for next year. It’s perfectly possible to read about sex, drugs and rock and roll and find a book that is interesting, speaks to most of the school and is well written or even 2 out of the 3.

I’m almost certainly not going to complain I’m not a complainer I just like to mutter about it in real life! I will just go back to my previous habit of providing my kids with ‘better’ books than the school does!

OP posts:
echt · 03/08/2025 01:53

OP, the "illegal" aspect of reporting suicides in the media sounds like Australia, in which case it's voluntary action by the media, not a matter of law.

Did the school supply a booklist before the school year began? If so, you had an opportunity to read it beforehand. If it's like the English system where texts are provided (are they still?) it's different.

As for the books being "dull", not everything is interesting. Not in life, not in school.

TheLivelyViper · 03/08/2025 00:26

This isn't a bad thing though. It is important to discuss topics like suicide or rape or abuse, in fact having those discussions responsibly in a class can be a great way to reduce the stigma on such issues and educate children, we need to talk about suicide, we need to know its not anything to be ashamed of. Plus it's likely to also be covered in PSHE. Talking about suicide doesn't push people into it, in fact it can reduce stigma and mean when people have such thoughts rather than hiding because they fear judgement they get help. I'd be happy they're having such discussions under a responsible and trained teacher rather than on social media. Plus it's only part of the book and likely won't be a massive discussion point. What's the book called? Honeslty the content in English is dark and deep, there's sex, and rape and abuse, and slavery and war and racism and so many other themes. But it's not a bad thing to have these sensible discussions and we shouldn't shy away from them, it's important kids have discussions on this, rather than from a random website. It may not be helpful now (for many it will be) but it may be in the future. There was as story in Sky News a few weeks ago about a girl who did assemblies to her whole school on suicide after losing her father to it, because she wanted to raise awareness, such an incredible thing to do.

Also in the nicest way possible, you will be 'that' parent and they'll likely not change anything. They won't stop the book because of one complaint, parents complain about many topics in books whether that be prostitution, sex, different sexualities and most of the time the school just says it's fine with the DfE and we have chosen to do it. They're highly unlikely to change it and they've already discussed it most likely and read through it so what would they do about it now? So you can complain but very unsure what you will get out of it as they won't change it. Also a book that's poor and dull for your child may be exciting and interesting for another. English is a very broad subject, some people like certain texts and others don't. It doesn't mean it's bad writing (sometimes it is) just a difference of opinion and many kids may be enjoying it, you're never going to make everyone love every book.

Sycamoretrees · 03/08/2025 00:16

It may be that the books are mandated by the exam syllabus she is following.

82Songs · 03/08/2025 00:13

What are the book titles?