School's committee approves use of Toni Morrison's Pulitzer winning "Beloved" for AP Lit classes

Chalk this one up for freedom!


Committee OKs ‘Beloved'
6:02 AM, Jan. 22, 2012
Brad Kadrich
Observer Staff Writer


Supporters of the use of Toni Morrison's book Beloved in Plymouth-Canton's advanced placement literature curriculum hailed Friday's announcement the review committee considering its appropriateness voted to leave the Pulitzer Prize-winning book in the syllabus as a victory for academic quality.

The nine members of the review committee cast their votes anonymously Thursday, and the decision was announced Friday afternoon. District officials would not say whether the vote was unanimous.

In a statement released Friday, district officials said the Beloved committee considered the appropriateness of the material for the age and maturity level of students; the accuracy of the material; the objectivity of the material; and the necessity of using the material in light of the curriculum.

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“One of the common themes I heard as the facilitator was (committee members) felt the parents had the right to opt their own daughter out of the discussion, but they didn't feel as though those parents had the right to opt all the other kids out of the consideration of the book,” MacGregor said. “Everyone read the book cover to cover, and what I heard was they felt the book was a tremendous read for that level of student to engage in.

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