Book Removed From Meridian Schools

The Meridian School District decided to remove a book about the challenges of a teenage Native American. School officials say they will look for a replacement to use in classes. Meridian trustees voted 2 to 1 to keep in place a hold on “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian,” by Sherman Alexie. The hold was put in place a few weeks ago after some parents objected to language and racist comments in the book. Board members rejected a recommendation from an earlier committee that said the book should stay on the 10th grade English supplemental reading list, with parental permission required for children to read it. Trustees made the decision after more than two hours of public testimony for and against the book.