More book challenges.

Challenge the first:

The Chocolate War, AGAIN, but this time in Chicago:

Nick Cortesi, who has a 2nd grader and a kindergartner at Kinzie, said school officials should remove the book because of its inappropriate content and adult themes.

"I'll be dammed if they are going to be reading this filth," Cortes said. "The issue is over whether it's age-appropriate. What about the parents who are tax payers? Have we no say?"

"I'll be dammed if they..."  Hee. 

Another parent (one who actually has a seventh-grader) is concerned that his fourth-grader will overhear something inappropriate if the seventh-graders discuss their school reading in the hallway.  Wow.  If a book sparked so much interest that the students wanted to talk about it on their own, in their free time -- instead of, say, how drunk Britney supposedly was before the VMAs -- you'd think that people would want to hold onto it.

It sounds like the school is going the hardcore route and refusing to offer an alternate selection to students who object to the reading.  (Or to those students whose parents object to the reading.)  Seems like it would be easier on everyone (except, of course, the teachers) to offer an alternate selection, but I can certainly understand the school's frustration.

Challenge the second:

Fair and Tender Ladies in Virginia:

After someone whom school officials have so far not identified complained verbally about the book, "Fair and Tender Ladies," one School Board member wants it removed from the high school supplementary reading list.

There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of information about the challenge -- just that a School Board member wanted it pulled, there was a 6-1 vote that resulted in the book staying on the list, but now a more formal review is set to begin.

Challenge the third:

When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops? and others at a public library in Arizona:

Patrons' complaints about the Phoenix New Times and comedian George Carlin's audio book, When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops? could have them yanked from library shelves if the Chandler Library Board agrees they're too racy, irreverent or politically incorrect for public consumption.

Two others - a children's book about a racing sperm and a fairy tale DVD narrated by Robin Williams - may be moved out of the children's area because of parents' complaints.

The lady who raised the complaint about George Carlin was "shocked" by his language, which leads me to believe that she may have been living under a rock until just recently.  Just because of the cover art, I'm dying to read the book about racing sperm -- apparently, it's called Where Willy Went.  The article mentions that Faerie Tale Theatre is also under fire, so I'd assume that's the problem DVD and that the specific one in question is The Frog Prince, which stars Robin Williams.  Maybe because we get to see his hairy, hairy chest?