Michigan School Board To Take Up Book Ban Request

TRAVERSE CITY (WWJ/AP) - Parents of a student at Traverse City West Senior High School are asking school officials to have a book banned.

Heather and Jeff Campbell recently complained about "The Glass Castle," and the Traverse City Area Public Schools Board of Education is set to weigh in on the matter next week.

Jeannette Walls' memoir includes explicit language and references to child molestation, adolescent sexual exploits and violence. It was assigned to the Campbells' daughter over the summer as part of a freshman honors English course.

The Campbells want the book banned from ninth, tenth and eleventh grade curricula.

"I just think we need to use some common sense when it comes to our kids," Heather Campbell told the Traverse City Record-Eagle. "We believe there is no purpose reasonable to warrant exposing young students to this resource."

But parents like Billie Jo Clark, who plans to have her 9th grade son read "The Glass Castle," say the book offers more than just an engaging story.

"It's a book about overcoming the most incredible obstacles in your life," Clark told the Traverse City Record-Eagle. "It is a book about forgiveness. I think the book had a lot of great, resonating things."

Clark acknowledged, however, that not all ninth graders may be ready for the book.

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