Controversial book on Mideast conflict to stay in schools
August 23, 2010
Kristin Rushowy
EDUCATION REPORTER
The head of Toronto’s public board says he supports keeping a controversial book about a Palestinian farm girl in the city’s schools.
Director of Education Chris Spence, in a letter dated Aug. 20 to parent Brian Henry — who complained the award-winning novel The Shepherd’s Granddaughter was anti-Israel — says after reading the novel and recommendations from board staff he agrees the book “has the potential to engage our Grade 7 and 8 students . . . in understanding the complex issues of their world.”
The book, by Anne Laurel Carter, tells the story of a Palestinian girl whose family suffers brutality at the hands of Israeli settlers.
In June, a board committee released its recommendations, saying teachers should use the book to spark discussion on bias and encourage critical thinking.
Henry can still appeal to the board of trustees to overturn the decision.