To the editor,

River Falls had a dispute at a recent school board meeting about a book banning attempt that is part of a national political agenda at the expense of our students and schools. The challenge was initiated by some women who want to be the moral compass for all parents.

Yes, the books on the list delve into difficult topics; all of them use a "coming of age" theme, a genre of books focusing on the growth of children into adults. This is exactly the demographic being served by these books.

These are books with teenage characters experiencing what it is like to grow up and encounter a life that may not be all sunshine and rainbows.

Why not have books that just mention the events without the details? The details matter. They speak to the students who experience these types of situations and show that they are not alone. Students not experiencing those situations are given perspectives that can help develop empathy for people who have. These books can help students who feel marginalized as they experience something that we often do not talk about openly. Banning these books only pushes these students farther into the margins.

Let's not be the community that bans books. Let's be the community that allows students and their parents to choose what they want to read. Let's be the community that embraces diversity and supports our young people as we help them grow into responsible adults.

Jim Camery

River Falls