Dumpster Diving or Buffet Dining?

We are very religious. If you want to know we belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or otherwise known as Mormons.
As parents we strive to protect our kids as much as we can from the bad in the world. This includes limiting TV time and knowing what books they are reading and previewing movies before we let them watch them. We also limit internet access and only have it available in the main room of the house where people will see.

That being said I also believe that my kids can be a force for good, and so I send them out into the world. . . hopefully armed with a testimony of the Gospel. This is why I do not homeschool my kids, YET. I feel that the school systems are still ok enough that I can teach my kids and help them see that all things they learn in school are not the way we believe. I also feel that one day the scales will tip and I will not think it is worth sending my kids for the bad that they will be subjected to. I will them keep them home and teach them.

Now that you know where I stand. . .
What would you do?

My son is in 4th grade this year. . . that means he is 9.

New school, new area, new thoughts and ideals.

I went in for open-house and his teacher informed us as parents that one of the books she is going to have them read this year has some bad words in it.
The book: The Great Gilly Hopkins
I have bought it off amazon have started to read it. I am through the 3rd chapter and already there have been 9 swear words, and ones we consider pretty bad. Lots of taking the Lord's name in vain. It is also a very negative book.

I asked one of my dear friends that has been a school teacher for more than 30 years to read it. This is what she said about it:

I just finished the book. I can't believe that anyone let alone a teacher would want to expose this book to children of any age. Swear words are used countless times. This is not the worst part. Talking about the word adultery and breathing hard on the phone was ugly. Are the students supposed to read this book or is the teacher going to read it to the class. What is the teacher's purpose? I don't think that the average 9 year old could read it. Let alone understand many of the references. When I taught high school English, I wound not have had this book on the shelf. I am worried about how the teacher will treat your son if and when you confront her on this choice of reading. I wonder if the principal has read this book or is he allowing it because of lack of knowledge of the content.

I think it would be a good idea if you read it and took notes and then talked to the principal. Let me know how it turns out. I would not recommend this one to the Book Club. I know that I am rambling, but I am upset that a wholesome child would be exposed to this.

So what do you think? What am I as a parent supposed to do? How will this teacher treat my son if I object to his reading it? There is actually one other little boy that goes to Church with us that is in his class. I am thinking I need to talk to his mama. Maybe if there are a few of us that are upset about this it can be changed.

I just don't understand. She said, "It has some bad words in it, but it is a really good book. Award winning and everything."

I don't care what kind of award it got. If it is crap it is crap! Right?

I listened to a talk on Saturday night at one of our church meetings and it just reaffirmed this idea. The speaker said,

Let's go to dinner, let's do a buffet. The store is clean and all the china is shining. They have all the yummiest looking appetizers, then all your favorite entrees. And for desert they have all forms of cakes, pies, and decitante chocolates.

Out back though, there are 10 dumpsters in a row. They hold all the trash that is thrown away from the buffet that isn't eaten. There are rotting vegetables and putrid meats, all covered with flies and maggots.

Where do you want to eat?

The Buffet or the Dumpsters?

Of course we want to eat at the Buffet right? Well why is it any different for our spirits? Why should we feed them garbage? Can we have the spirit of the Lord with us to guide and protect us if we are partaking in the dumpsters?

I know how strong the written word is. I am not happy that my son might be reading these words and thinking them. I heard once that "we Live the way we Think, and we Think about the things we See, Hear and Read".

So how do I tell his teacher this?

What would you do?

Still Sane,

Mama V