A Novel Challenged as Classroom Text

In the Lexis Nexis Academic database I found a news article from February 23, 2009 from the National Post in Canada. The title of the news article is "Atwood too Cruel for School?; Panel Approves Classic Tale, Final Decision to Come." This challenged book was The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood and this challenge came in the Toronto District School Board. A father made the complaint because his child in grade 12 was studying this novel in his high school class. This parent complained of its violence, sexual content, and religious themes.
This book tells the story of a society that is totalitarian. Women in this society have few rights and are subservient to men. These women are forced to have babies for couples who can not have children who are from a higher social class.
The parent did not realize that this story was providing a message of caution against this type of thing happening in the world. This is the first that this novel by Margaret Atwood has faced a challenge in a Canadian school. Fortunately, a review panel brought together by the Toronto District School Board decided that this book should be retained as a classroom text. The final decision is to be made by Gerry Connelly, the director of education for the board. By now this person has probably already made the decision to keep this novel as a classroom text. I certainly agree that this novel should have been kept as a classroom text.

References

Fitzpatrick, Meagan. "Atwood too Cruel for School?; Panel Approves Classic Tale, Final Decision to Come." National Post 23 February 2009.