Some parents call it glorification of prostitution, murder and obscenity. But educators, academic experts and even other parents see it as a valuable teaching tool.
Their debate over "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest," an award-winning novel, is the latest in a continuing battle across the country to ban well-known books. Recommended by the California Department of Education, the novel now is being scrutinized by officials in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District after complaints by parents.
"It teaches how very easy it is to smother somebody," said Anna Marie Buckner, who has three children, ages 7, 8 and 17. "I don't want to put these kinds of images in children's minds. They're going to think that when they get mad at their parents, they can just ax them out."
Members of the district's "book challenge review committee," which consists of a dozen parents, teachers and administrators--were handed a copy of the book last week to review. The committee will establish criteria and steps to resolve the issue. It will report its findings in early January, said David Verdugo, the district's executive director of strategic planning and accountability.
Written by Ken Kesey, "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" is a 1962 classic that was made into a movie starring Jack Nicholson in 1975. It portrays life in a hospital for the mentally ill, including profanity and sexual remarks.
The book is one of five titles on the district's core 11th-grade reading list. It has been used for seven years without previous problems, Verdugo said. Two teachers plan to assign it next semester to 11th-grade students at Esperanza High School. Eleventh-graders at El Camino Continuation High School also will read it. Esperanza Principal David Flynn said one reason the book has stayed on the school's reading lists is simple: Teens like it.
The title was one of Jennifer Hazzard's favorites last year. Now a senior at Esperanza, she said it was funny, and she and other teens could relate to it. Her mother agreed.
"The words and scenes don't bother me," said Jennifer, 17, of Anaheim. "It's like TV today. It's not anything different. There are other, worse books, and curse words you hear daily."
She said the book gave her insight into mental institutions and that she liked the characters' carefree quality, even though they were ill. She said she'd read it again.
"One day, I'll have my kids reading it, too," she said.
