Controversial cartoons will remain in Central Linn High School's library

BROWNSVILLE - A controversial book of cartoons will remain, unrestricted, in the Central Linn High School library, the Central Linn School Board has decided.

Board members on Monday voted 5-1, with one member absent, to keep "The Book of Bunny Suicides."

The book depicts cartoon rabbits practicing a variety of ways to kill themselves. The district organized a review committee after parent Taffey Anderson, whose 13-year-old son checked out the book this fall, said she was horrified by its content and threatened to burn it rather than bring it back.

Anderson said Tuesday morning she's disappointed by the decision.

Publicity about the complaint drew national attention, including a letter from the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, which the school district received last Thursday.

Signed by Associate Director Jann Carson, the letter urged the district to keep the book, warning that removing it could violate the First Amendment.

A better practice, Carson said, would be to allow parents to ask that their child not be allowed to check out a particular item.

Superintendent Ed Curtis said the district already allows parents to "opt out" of a particular book, whether in the library or in the classroom. He said the district might explore its library adoption procedure and will bring a recommendation to the board if changes are feasible.

Board member Pat McConnel, who had voted last month to remove the book, made the motion to keep it on the shelves.

"I'm making this motion as a responsible board member, but not from my heart," McConnel said.

In a later interview, she said she was convinced by arguments from review committee members, who recommended keeping the book, that any other action would be censorship.

"We can't censor," she said. "I'm here as a board member. I can't vote my personal feelings all the time."

Elsewhere in Oregon

In a similar case in Prineville, the school board voted 4-1 Monday to keep "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian'' out of classrooms, though in the library, while the school district revamps its policies.

The book was a best-seller and a National Book Award winner. It was written by Sherman Alexie and is about a boy growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation who decides to attend an all-white school. The protagonist in Alexie's book discusses masturbation.

A committee made up of teachers, the public, an administrator and a librarian reviewed the book and voted 4-1 to recommend the school board reinstate the book without restrictions.

The freshman whose father touched off the debate said the book was not appropriate.

- The Associated Press