Book too sexually graphic for teen girl. Should she be required to read it?

Update: Marí Mercado won't have to read The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle after all. And she won't have to take a reduced score on her required International Baccalaureate world literature essay, either.

Marí's father, Rafael, told the Gradebook that he sat with officials from Gulf High School this afternoon, and they agreed to give his daughter a new novel for her assignment.

We don't yet what book the school will require her to read, but we'd like to know your suggestions. Offer your ideas and tell us why.

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Marí Mercado, ranked in the top 10 of her International Baccalaureate class at Gulf High School, refused to read an assigned book because she deemed parts of it too sexually graphic. "Eww, gross," she said about Haruki Murakami's The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.

Her parents agreed that Murakami's book — described in part by Publisher's Weekly as a detective story that moves to "explicit sexual fantasy" — was pornographic and notified school officials that their daughter would not complete an assignment on the book.

School officials say that choice puts Mari at risk of not being granted an IB diploma.

Marí has received recruitment letters from Yale and MIT, but she says she's willing to give up on the prestigious IB program if it comes down to her being required to read The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.

"It's not fair that I have to read something that I'm totally against," she said. "If I have to drop out of IB, that's something I have to do. I'm not going to read the book."

Tampabay.com readers have posted more than 170 comments about Marí's dilemma, many encouraging her to open her mind and read the book. Still some have come to her defense, saying the school should offer her an alternative.

Alyssa, a St. Petersburg High IB alumna, wrote:"It is exceedingly difficult to find world-class literature that does not incorporate sexual imagery and themes, and she is no more a child now than she will be her first year at Yale. She should be mature enough to understand the symbolism by now."

"I don't think that a young girl should have sex, but it isn't going to hurt her to read this novel anymore than reading MacBeth would make her violent," wrote BadBill from Tallahassee. " It is a book. She is in an advanced class reflecting greater maturity. She needs to show it."

One of the points of  education is to imagine and learn about things you might not otherwise," wrote Dan from Tampa. "It doesn't have to make you happy. But it's part of life."

Amanda from St. Petersburg defended Mercado's stance: "Why should Miss Mercado be forced to read something she finds personally offensive? I would hope that the school would be flexible enough to give students some (albeit limited) choice in what they read."

We want to know what you think: Should the school allow Marí to read another book? Should Mari read it and complete her assignment? What if it was your daughter's assignment?

Comments

[Brendan]

"eww,gross" seriously? that makes me laugh...grow up. definitely not the mature attitude of someone who should be enrolled in advanced placement classes.

[Joshua]

Meh, she'll probably never get any anyway (I mean c'mon how much more cruel could god be to one girl) so I don't think its a problem she isn't exposed to sex at the ripe old age of 17. Even though a hundred years ago she would have already been married with four kids. Oh well.

[Joshua]

Meh, she'll probably never get any anyway (I mean c'mon how much more cruel could god be to one girl) so I don't think its a problem she isn't exposed to sex at the ripe old age of 17. Even though a hundred years ago she would have already been married with four kids. Oh well.

[bipolar2]

Perhaps she should reconsider offers from universities in the NE. Boston and New Haven might as well be international destinations to many students in the SE.

Anyway, I certainly found the NE too gritty for me.

Stanford or the California Institute of Technology might be more congenial -- usually good weather and pleasant surroundings -- very good, not cheap, but neither are Yale or MIT.

Or if cold weather and short days don't bother; then, consider Canada. Toronto and Montreal are livable. And despite similarities Canada has a very different culture to ours.

[john]

This is very sad. Parents want to keep their children in the dark.

it's an INTERNATIONAL program... grow up or get out. yes it may seem a bit harsh. Life is not always flowers and fluffy clouds.

if she refuses to read a book because she finds it offensive, then she doesn't need to be in the program.

[PaulG]

First off, it's a fantastic book. Second the other books chosen for the course are pretty good too, but if this student is having trouble with this one, she's not going to feel really positive about Beloved or Like Water For Chocolate either. Really, she ought to give up on literature, because it won't get any easier from here. She should drop the class without penalty.

[momwhoreads]

I was very happily surprised to see that there are other famililes that are willing to take a stance on these so called masterpeices of literature. I have a sophmore son in the st. pete high IB program and I was already unhappy with the selections assigned to him which deal with nothing but adultry and disfuntional people. The comment that Mari had all summer to work with the school is false. The books are not assigned until the first week of school and then more time is needed to actually read the books which the student are encouraged not to do until they are assigned throughout the school year. My serious problem is that not only are students expected to be exposed to this "real world" literature, they are expected to relate, sympathize and see these characters as "heros." There is enough literature out there about decent, upstanding people but the school district turns their back on these works. I will be contacting the IB department of St. Pete high to work with them for alternative literature for my son next year as it's pretty evident that each year these masterpeices get more and more graphic.

[teachermom]

As a teacher and mom I can see both sides, however, I must say I am surprised that Gulf allowed this issue to get as publicized as it has become. I am also disappointed that alternative texts weren't offered sooner and prevented the entire incident. A different teacher at Gulf had a "questionable" book on the summer list and she offered alternative reading for her students. (Honors English)

The issue seems "foreign" here because of the diverse backgrounds of the people in this area. Travel to Georgia or South Carolina where the Bible belt is deep - this never would have been an issue or discussion the book wouldn't have been used.

Since the IB program seems to have to have curriculum laid out ahead of time and Dr. Lepley was quoted as saying there were 500 books to choose from, it would seem to make sense that an alternative book would be used in the future to avoid any other issues.

[Mariana]

In another countries you start college as early as 16 and a half years old,(like I did). We deal with the assignments by ourselves,the competition is hard, and we have only one opportunity to make a change in our lives. Our parents do not intervene but support us. My mom that is christian will say: a difficulty builts up your character, so finish the assignment, there are worse difficulties in the life.

[Dawn]

If everyone else is required to read the book, then the rules should apply to her as well. She needs to grow up, Mommy and Daddy can't protect her forever and she needs to face reality. People have sex. But if that is all she can see in the story, she isn't anywhere near ready for higher education.

[George Mazzei]

Why not have her read The Nun's Story? Or maybe How To Organize Your Closet? Or Everything You Never Wanted To Know About Life?

[Kimberly]

All I have to say is that if it was her parents bright idea to leak this to the news media, they have just done a tremendous disservice to their daughter in at least two ways:

1) She will probably be subject to a certain amount of ridicule at school.

2) They have created a public record that almost certainly would be discovered by any major university considering her application, and would probably NOT impress the admissions board.

I wish Mari and her family well, although I disagree with the close-mindedness of the decision. Congrats to Principal Steve Knobl and to the dedicated IB instructors at Gulf.

[bad citizen]

This girl and her family suck at life. Shut up and do your work.

[GHS]

If we the powers that be say that we can't be forced to pray nor pledge allegiance to the flag of our nation, she shouldn't have to be forced to read this book. Sorry!

[get real]

I "pray" for your parents. You Need to grow up and put your big girl pants on. Your parents aren't helping you despite their high horse of thinking they are. They need parenting class 101.

God bless you all.

[An IB Senior]

Let me clear something up before anyone makes the same misguided comment again.....

The books chosen for an IB English class are world literature, not American literature (like someone on the other article suggested Gone With the Wind or Great Expectations). So, suggesting just "pick another book" is not realistic. Besides that, the list of books we use are submitted to the IBO for approval (and all of the novels we chose from are from the IBO's approved list already), and it takes time to make changes to our curriculum (the soonest you could expect this novel to be removed is for the class of 2012, and I personally hope it isn't). And, alternate book assignments are not easy to do either. The class discusses all the novels in class, and students will have to right on those novels. Not only would assigning Mari another novel be unfair to other students, but it would be unfair to her; by having to read novels outside of the normal class set, she will miss out on the discussion that is necessary to understanding the novel.

To "D," you are absolutely right; thank you for your comment. A lot of people are arguing that the program is forcing her to deny her values, when it isn't. Really, right now she (or should I say, many of the people commenting) are trying to force her values on the program. I myself am a Christian, and I have read this novel twice already (this is currently my third reading). While I do not enjoy the scenes, I understand they are an important part of the novel's theme, and I accept that. That does not mean I have to give up my values or have become tainted, it just means I have read it but don't agree with it personally, which is what Mari really needs to be able to do.

As for you, Educator Taking A Stand, I am also shocked at your comment. For one, she is not being kept from graduating; she has the option of leaving the program, and she will still receive a normal high school diploma regardless (unless she dropped or flunked out of normal high school, which I doubt she will). And your comment, "It is after all just a book. Like all the other millions of its kind out there," shows that you really do not understand the art form that is literature. Each novel is unique! They are not mere clothing items that you can exchange if you don't like the fabric or if they don't fit you! I agree with "D" that if you are indeed an educator, I am concerned about what the students in your class are learning.

To "Book Suggester," the IB program is by no means "in the gutter." This is a program for college-level students in high school, and as such it teaches at a college-level. This novel may not be appropriate for other, less mature high school students, but for students learning at a college level, they are perfectly okay.

I, and many others here in Gulf's IB program, would appreciate it if everyone reading this would take the time to understand the IB program before insulting or criticizing it. There is far more to it then these articles mention.

P.S. I personally do not appreciate the quasi-demonizing of my teacher, either. Ms. Ledman is a great teacher, one of the best I have ever had. She is no more a demon or a bad teacher or a Christian-hater then Mari is a martyr for her faith (which she is not by any stretch of the imagination).

[Bababooey]

Instead of this graphic description of sex, I suggest Mari read Weight Loss of Dummies.

[Bob]

let her comment on Cat in the Hat. She probably won't have this privilege in College. What is the use of taking Advanced Placement if you can't deal with the real world in a critical fashion.

[D]

To "Educator taking a stand"...it scares me that you are an "educator". I sincerely hope you never get tasked with (mis)educating my child. That people have different belief systems is irrelevant. No one is asking her to change her beliefs. She can still read the book, and her beliefs will then color how she views the characters. To say it's "just a book" and any other book can take it's place is to deny the uniqueness of the art of writing. Again, that you are an "educator" is frightening.

To "Book Suggester"...So what if a classic you read had no explicit sexual content? Your point? The book in question had a small segment of sexual content related to the context of the story. The IB program is far from being "in the gutter," and to equate it as such is indicative of your twisted and narrow view of the world. The book is most certainly appropriate material for MATURE, ADVANCED students seeking a broader, expanded education....which is the goal of the IB.

Again, if Mari or anyone else does not like the goals and methods of IB education, then they can and should leave that VOLUNTARY program. They can step down to AP advanced classes, go to private religious school, get home schooled, whatever. She may be intelligent enough for the program, but she's demonstrating that she's not mature or open-minded enough for it. No one is forcing her to be in IB, and likewise, her views of what's "moral" should not be forced on the IB program.

[jillflamb]

For those Bible adherents who fear exposure to sex in school-related readings, I suggest you take a look at this link:

http://www.religionnewsblog.com/18514/bible-sex

which points out numerous instances of "sex that would knock your socks off"
in THE BIBLE...!!

Would you believe?

[FalstaffsMind]

In part, I sympathize with this young lady, and we as a country have a long history of conscientious objection. But on the other hand, there are 6 billion people on the planet. Last time I checked that means 6 billion couples had sex at least once. Sexuality is an inescapable aspect of the human condition, and if one wants to truly study world literature with an open mind, I am not sure how you avoid our most shared experience.

[Book Suggester]

When I was in high school we read "The Scarlet Letter" a classic by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It had NO explicit sexual content. (For the student that said the sexual content was what kept her reading the book, she should try out that XXX bookstore next to the Palm Harbor Pinch-A-Penny for further "enrichment".) NOTE: IB program get out of the gutter. This is not appropriate educational materials for HS boys or girls.

[Educator Taking A Stand]

No I don’t agree with the fact that we force our student to read books. People have many different belief systems. As her teacher I would have given her an alternative book to read and assignments. Keeping her from graduating because of an assigned reading is not ethical at all. It is also unfair to those who choose not to expose themselves to such graphic material. It is a book and is fiction so that should be taken into consideration. If parents don’t agree with the choice but do agree to the alternative assignment everything should be fine. It is after all just a book. Like all the other millions of its kind out there.

[jjjhein]

Correction above: First sentence should read " A narrow mind with little tolerance OF what..."

[B.]

For those of you that have no idea what IB is even about, I'd like to encourage you to look at http://www.ibo.org/. The point of the program is to be open minded about international concepts and thoughts. What frustrates me the most happens to be the fact that these articles are showing incredible bias and not explaining AT ALL our program to those of you that don't even know what it is. These courses aren't high school level courses, they are college level courses. They follow college level curriculum and have to be approached from an ADULT stand point. Mari did choose to be in this, and even as freshmen we were told what we were getting ourselves into.

Throughout my four years in this program, I've been informed of what is coming and I've ALWAYS had the option of dropping out of the program and going back into normal classes. Mari has this opportunity as well, because even if she might be smart enough to be in this program, it doesn't necessarily mean it's for her.

I'm not bashing anyone, I just ask that if you're not aware of what this program actually is, you should research it.