Controversial Book No Longer on Readling List

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Updated: 5:17 PM Aug 12, 2011 Controversial Book No Longer on Readling List A controversial book introducing the famous literary character, Sherlock Holmes, is no longer on the reading list for Albemarle County students, but "A Study in Scarlet" will stay in school libraries. Posted: 10:37 PM Aug 11, 2011 Reporter: Jessica Jaglois Email Address: jessica.jaglois@newsplex.com

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August 11, 2011

A controversial book introducing the famous literary character, Sherlock Holmes, is no longer on the reading list for Albemarle County students.

At Thursday night's meeting, students and parents showed up to either show their support or opposition for the novel, A Study in Scarlet by holding up signs and speaking out.

The Albemarle County School Board voted unanimously to remove the book from the suggested reading list for county 6th graders but the book will stay in school libraries.

"I felt like they weren't really listening to student input on this issue. That's who it's going to affect, the students and teachers, and I feel like they didn't listen to them all that well," said high school freshman Tim Dodson.

"I think some of the concerns were the age-appropriateness to be addressing these issues and the fact that there wasn't a lot of background information given about a significant portion of the content," said parent Brette Stephenson.

A Study in Scarlet was controversial because of its negative portrayal of mormonism. The School Board decided the book wasn't age appropriate saying, while the book could be used to discuss prejudice against religions with students, 6th grade might be a little too early.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Greg Location: C-ville on Aug 13, 2011 at 12:13 PM

Oh dear...

Posted by: Joe Location: Charlottesville on Aug 13, 2011 at 10:46 AM

Ha! This just made national news: http://abcnews.go.com/US/virginia-school-district-deletes-sherlock-holmes-6th-grade/story?id=14289890

Posted by: Red Onion on Aug 12, 2011 at 03:28 PM

The reading skill of the average Charlottesville mall mutant is about eight years less than it should be---which is why they hunt pedestrians to roll at night. Employers don't need ghetto mutants that have to concentrate in order to breathe.

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