Watch CBS News

Controversial Book Gets Second Chance In Glen Ellyn

GLEN ELLYN, Ill. (CBS) -- Last month, the parents of an eighth-grader at Hadley Junior High School in Glen Ellyn School District 41 complained about the content in "Perks of Being a Wallflower." The book includes topics such as sexuality, drugs and suicide.

The school board voted 4-2 in favor of removing the book from the school but an online petition has received more than 600 votes asking the board to reconsider the ban.

Controversial Book Gets Second Chance In Glen Ellyn

Superintendent Ann Riebock says the board decided to give the book another look.

"The board wanted to talk about this further. One of the recommendations is aimed at independent reading selections."

The revised plan also focuses on getting parents involved in what their child is reading.

"There's a little more explicitness about a parent letter going home at the beginning of the year that the parents would sign indicating that they are aware that it's a partnership between the classroom teacher and the home in the selection of independent reading materials," said Riebock.

In eighth grade, students are expected to read 25 books during the school year.

Riebock says the board will be talking about whether to bring the book back as part of the independent reading list.

The board is expected to vote on the recommendations on June 10.

The book had been available in some classrooms for about six years.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.