School district bans child abuse novel

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FREMONT, Calif., July 9 (UPI) -- A California school board has banned Dorothy Allison's "Bastard Out of Carolina" from the advanced placement English supplemental reading list.

The Fremont Unified School District said it is protecting children from the book's graphic account of childhood abuse and refused to allow the book to be taught in classes, the San Jose Mercury News reported. The district banned Tony Kushner's Pulitzer Prize-winning "Angels in America" last year because of its sensitive content.

"I didn't feel it was of substantial educational value," board President Lily Mei said of Allison's book. Other board members said the book is too violent or shocking.

"People are going to have to face stuff like that," said Kyle O'Hollaren, a 17-year-old senior and student representative to the board. "They should be allowed to read the book."