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Greenville County School Board votes 9–3 to remove Ellen Hopkins’ Tricks from district media centers after heated public comment
Summary
After more than an hour of public testimony and board debate, the Greenville County School Board on June 25 voted 9–3 to overturn a Review Committee recommendation and remove the novel Tricks by Ellen Hopkins from all school media centers, citing concerns about graphic sexual content and age-appropriateness.
The Greenville County School Board voted 9–3 on June 25 to remove the novel Tricks by Ellen Hopkins from district school media centers, overruling a unanimous recommendation by its high-school Materials Review Committee.
Supporters of keeping the book told the board during public comment that the title — purchased for high-school media centers in 2010 and not part of required curriculum — offers a cautionary account that can help vulnerable teens. "This book describes the lives of some teens in no way does it glorify drug use, sex or prostitution," said Heather Bigga, a parent who said she had read the book in full and urged the board to respect the students and volunteers on the Review Committee.
Miss Sarah Fletcher, a committee member, summarized the panel’s May 21 deliberations and its unanimous vote to retain the book after reviewing age range (grades 9–12), purpose, educational value and community…
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