to think that a book aimed at teenagers containing drinking, pregnancy, abortion, heroin and an abandoned baby shouldn't be in a yr 4 class to read at home?

[KeithTalent]

This is not the first time dd1 has brought home a book which is way too old for her .

I have been in twice already to say to the teacher "I'm sure this is here by mistake", and now it has happened again.

The book is "Can you keep a secret" by Sandra Glover, and while I'm sure it's thrilling in a teen-Eastenders schadenfreude kind of way, I really feel sad that dd has got 1/3 of the way through it at school today, and is kicking off because I won't let her read the rest.

So, am I being overprotective?

Fwiw, I don't let her watch Eastenders!

What age is dd? Is year 4 primary or secondary?

Actually, it's irrelevant, the book sounds bloody awful. Another liberal attempt to dumb down life expectations and normalise unacceptable behaviour.

Where are they getting the books from - are they in the classroom?

I'd be pissed off too.

YR4 is 8/9yrs old

Year 4 primary?
I would not be pleased.

I'd be having another word with teach.

YANBU

Just had a quick google - the author herself lists it in her "older children" books.

sorry dd is 8.

The book is stamped inside "ssssss Primary School", so it isn't one that has just filtered in from somewhere random.

Primary school!!

I actually think there is something very sinister and subliminal going on here. Are the powers that be trying to normalise this kind of lifestyle? All the sex education that makes not a jot of difference to the teenage pregnancy rate?

I would go ballistic if ds came home with that trash. Eight years old

Don't be ridiculous perfumedlife!

It's a liberal conspiracy to make kiddies want abortions

I actually think there is something very sinister and subliminal going on here. Are the powers that be trying to normalise this kind of lifestyle?

Yay! Overreaction!

The author herself says it's meant for teenagers so you're perfectly within your right to question the decision, but don't go mad, it's all very sensible and right-on.

You may laugh but I really do think it would suit the policy makers to get huge swathes of potential voters in the system, dependent on the state.

The book sounds like utter drivel too.

Out of interest OP, what was the school's explanation for the two previous unsuitable books?

Nice that they are making the same error a third time Really taking your concerns on board.

Perfumedlife-

Ist time was a Jacqueline Wilson- teacher said she didn't realise it wa one aimed at older readers.

2nd time was a book another child had brought in- we are always being asked to donate to class library. Teacher said it had been brought in that day and now she knew about it she wouldn't put it back- I think she gave it to the yr 6 class library.

Ok, if I'm not BU, would it be over the top to email the head directly?

I really feel like the school is letting children down (duty of care an' all that), and I am quite cross.

I thought it was bad when my six year old came home with a school library book about a teenager's fears that her periods would never start and that she'd never be big enough to need a bra. It was in diary format and included daily updates on which boys were snoggable!

The teacher apologised profusely when we returned it but luckily I don't think my daughter had a clue what it was about - she read a chapter before I realised it wasn't appropriate, but seemed quite happy to swap it for a new book about fairies.

I would email and ask for a meeting. I know I am deemed to be over reacting but that's just how I feel. There policy of sourcing suitable reading material seems too gung ho. Surely they have a proscribed reading list?

Their, even

I don't think you're being unreasonable.

I can't think why the school would agree to a book like that being allowed into the school.

Let's put it that way, I have read this one and I would explain to a school buying it that it's not suitable for that age group.

I wouldn't have a problem selling it to secondaries.

I'd just take it back, say it was another one for yr6 and ask if they need to look for a volunteer to help sort the books for age groups.

Agree, why on earth is this book in a primary school in the first place?

That's shocking. My 8 year old is quite young for her age and I'd be mortified if she started reading a book with those issues in.

I think YABU

It's a book, a good way of learning about the world and it's fiction.

If she started it and was enjoying it, I think you were wrong to ban it.

I'm not sure it's necessary for an 8 year old to learn about heroin and abortion. A 12 year old maybe.

YANBU
It's unacceptable.
Give the school hell.
If they're reading that at 8, what will they be reading at 11???

YANBU, Talk to the head.

Oh dear - Have you spoken to the class teacher or the head of keystage? How did it get into the school?

Actually I probably know the answer to that one, these books are sometimes recommended by suppliers and accidentally get bought. I have also worked in a school where there were no books and so there was an 'appeal'. Parents just went down to the bookshops and bought books that were cheap. Some just brought in books they had received as unwanted gifts. THE STUFF THAT CAME IN!!! I can't tell you. Most of it was filtered out but some books were mismatched. We gradually worked through it.