Orestimba High School's book ban is up for debate

'Ultima' pulled out of Orestimba High

By Michelle Hatfield
mhatfield@modbee.com

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NEWMAN -- Trustees will meet tonight to discuss the banning of "Bless Me, Ultima" from Orestimba High School's English classes.

The Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District community has been quarreling over Superintendent Rick Fauss' decision to yank the book in October after a parent complaint.

Some argue the book is profane and anti-Catholic. Others contend it's a coming-of-age story Orestimba's students can relate to.

AT A GLANCE

THE ISSUE: Community members are divided over the banning of "Bless Me, Ultima" from Orestimba High School's English classes for the 2008-09 school year. The novel is an acclaimed coming-of-age tale but has come under fire for profanity and paganism.

THE MEETING: Trustees will discuss the banning at a special board meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the McConnell Adult Education Center, 1348 Patchett Drive in Newman. The meeting includes time for comments from the public.

ON THE NET: To join an online discussion of the book, visit http://thehive.modbee.com/beeopinion.

Written by Rudolfo Anaya, "Bless Me, Ultima" is about a Latino boy maturing, asking questions concerning evil, justice and the nature of God, and trying to reconcile American Indian religion with traditional Roman Catholicism.

The ban has drawn support and ire, from informal comments in public to letters in The Bee's opinion pages. The controversy gained the attention of the American Civil Liberties Union, which sent a letter to trustees urging them to overturn the ban. Some members of the Friends of the Newman Library's board signed a letter asking for public discussion.

Many question Fauss removing the 260-page book from this year's curriculum without reading it.

Trustees will talk about the issue, but it is not clear if they will take any action tonight.

About 200 students were scheduled to read the book this year. Orestimba High enrolls about 750 students from Newman and Crows Landing.

"Bless Me, Ultima" is this year's novel for the U.S. Academic Decathlon competition and is adopted by the California Department of Education. It also is one of the most challenged books in the country, according to the American Library Association. Complaints include profane language, depictions of sexuality and pagan content.

Bee staff writer Michelle Hatfield can be reached at mhatfield@modbee.com or 578-2339.