School suspends use of 'The Kite Runner' following complaint

ASHEVILLE – Reynolds High School has temporarily suspended the use of the bestselling book "The Kite Runner" in an Honors English class following a complaint from former school board member and parent Lisa Baldwin.

Students in the class are using an alternate book until a school committee can review the book.

The book was being used as a supplementary instructional text in the class. Individual parents could choose to opt out of having their child take part in the assignment.

"In that case, an alternative book would be assigned," according to Susanne Swanger, Buncombe County Schools' associate superintendent.

The book has been on the school system's high school approved reading list for years. "This is the first documented parent objection to this text," Swanger said.

Baldwin, who has a child in the class, said her objections were based on multiple issues.

"It's not only the language in the book and the adult themes in the book and that it's demeaning to women, it's the fact that they have removed a classic novel from the curriculum without parents knowing about it," Baldwin said.

The book that students had been reading was "All Quiet on the Western Front," according to Baldwin.

She said she offered a compromise to school officials to keep "All Quiet on the Western Front" and to read excerpts of "The Kite Runner" and other books.

"The Kite Runner" tells the story of a wealthy boy in Afghanistan and his best friend, who is the son of his father's servant. In one passage, the servant's son is beaten and raped by an older boy.

The teacher sent a letter home explaining that "sensitive subject matter that would be discussed."

"It's a beautifully written and riveting story — one we think students will enjoy and learn a great deal from," the teacher wrote. "However, the novel does deal with complex and serious issues. A key scene, critical to the plot, involves the rape of one of the principal characters. Students may choose to skip this scene if they wish. In addition, there is some profanity."

But Baldwin believes parents should have been given more information about the book, and the school should have required parents to sign a permission slip to allow students to read the book.

"The description of the book the teacher included mentioned that there was a rape, but not that it was the rape of a child and it was the homosexual rape of a child which I felt was something parents needed to know," Baldwin said.

School policy says the teacher must refrain from using the book until the school's Media Technology Advisory Committee has a chance to review the complaint. That group will meet May 11.

Until the issue is resolved, students will read "All Quiet on the Western Front."

Swanger said if Baldwin disagrees with the committee's decision, she can appeal to a district-wide committee.