Editorial

The Newport-Mesa school board made the right decision in approving two

novels for juniors and seniors at Newport Harbor High School.

“Of Love and Shadows” by South American author Isabel Allende and

“Snow Falling on Cedars” by David Guterson were challenged by trustee

Wendy Leece as being too risque.

Board President David Brooks was the only other trustee to side with

Leece at Tuesday night’s meeting.

While open debate about what our children are taught is not only

welcome, but necessary, there was always a simple fact in this

discussion: Parents have a right to ask that their children not read

certain materials.

Any of the parents who spoke against the books’ approval can make sure

their children don’t read them. That is school district policy. It also

is what parental choice is all about.

Many parents choose to let their sons and daughters read challenging

texts or grapple with controversial, difficult issues as part of their

education.

It should be a rare, extreme situation when that decision is taken out

of their hands.