Sherlock Holmes' First Adventure Removed From School Sixth-Grade Reading List

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Sherlock Holmes' first adventure has been removed from sixth-grade reading lists in a central Virginia county.

Brette Stevenson, a parent of a Henley Middle School student, had complained that "A Study in Scarlet" is derogatory toward Mormons.

The Daily Progess (http://bit.ly/oRCjig) reports that the Albemarle County School Board voted Thursday night to remove the book. A committee commissioned to study the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle novel said in a report that it's not age-appropriate for sixth-graders.

The book includes a flashback to 1847 Utah that recounts the actions of a Mormon community when a non-Mormon man wants to marry the daughter of one of its members.

Stevenson said she's pleased with the decision.

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Comments

[been2there]

02:19 PM on 08/15/2011

Stupid, stupid, stupid! Yes, Mormons were the villians in this story, but Catholics have been villians in some stories, Protestants in other, Jews in some, etc. It is also true that the behavior in the story reflected the reality of the time.

[iam99]

09:54 AM on 08/15/2011

Wasn't aware that Doyle wrote about Islam.

[Fred M White]

03:24 PM on 08/14/2011

And the right talks about liberals rewriting history...In 1847, unless the suitor would agree to convert to Mormonism, there is no way he would have been allowed to marry the woman. But that was also true of just about every other religious denomination in the country at the time. People just did not marry out of their faith. This is absolutely ridiculous. Sir Conan Doyle was a master at story construction. What a lose lose precipitated by losers...

[OldBear]

12:52 PM on 08/14/2011

Political Community PC. No more but no less.

[Serpentbaby]

12:47 PM on 08/14/2011

"Stevenson said she's pleased with the decision."

Well, of course her narrow, little mind is pleased, but I'd love to hear from other parents in the school district.

[abliss2379]

02:30 PM on 08/15/2011

I agree she's pleased, but I fear not enough of the other parents will be upset enough to speak up, or upset at all ...

[Arleen1]

10:49 AM on 08/14/2011

Is someone trying to hide the truth about a particular historic event? Denial?

[mburgh]

07:32 AM on 08/14/2011

Soon no books will be allowed.

[OldBear]

12:53 PM on 08/14/2011

Hasn't that been the goal for decades?

[mburgh]

07:59 PM on 08/14/2011

Ignorance is physical force that surges through humanity since the first human held up a burning branch and another said it was the devil.

[WhoIsNoOne]

10:33 PM on 08/13/2011

luckily none of the students were named Baskerville

[Gwedough]

08:34 PM on 08/13/2011

OK...you can't please everyone (I'm offended by many passages in the Bible for example); however, instead of banning providing ALTERNATIVES. A required reading list should have a "list" of books from which students (and parents) can pick from. Thus if a parent is "offended" or doesn't like the language, or a book doesn't correspond with their political leanings than they can simply pick ANOTHER BOOK!!!

[Mr Anonymous]

01:48 PM on 08/14/2011

Haven't required reading lists always been like that. I haven't known anyone who actually read every single book on a required reading list.

[Carla Hufstedler]

05:27 PM on 08/13/2011

God forbid a fictional character holds a negative opinion about another fictional character, because a non-fictional person might get their feelings hurt.

If you are reading this, kid or adult, please snag a copy of A Study in Scarlet from a bookstore, your library, or from Gutenberg. ---> http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/244 Read it just because this mother says you shouldn't. Find your own thoughts!

[Pat Padrnos]

07:41 AM on 08/14/2011

For those who have not read this book - I would suggest it. It may make some Mormons uncomfortable - but only because it portrays part of their background they would prefer to ignore. This book has been around for quite awhile - and it is just now offending Mormons??
I find it amazing one parent was able to get this book remove from the reading list. Must be a powerful person in that community - or - the school staff did not handle this very well.

[halcyondaze]

03:47 PM on 08/13/2011

I'm confused as to how that's derogatory. Some people take offense to anything and sadly, there are just as many crazies willing to back them up.

[frdafury]

03:11 PM on 08/13/2011

You have got to be kidding. Amazing what power one parent has yet the quality of lit for kids needs...nay, requires exposure to all kinds of different situations for the kids to help with the critical thinking skills and where is the idea of discussing what the flashback means in modern terms and attitudes? What age is this idea actually appropriate and how do they determine that?

[Marcin A Mazurek]

11:49 AM on 08/13/2011

How in the world of a flying spaghetti monster is the derogatory??
not enough underage girls being forced to dress like they were in the 1800s?
The great FSM taught in his delicious plates written with creamy alfredo sauce to love all religions!

[bessielil]

10:50 AM on 08/13/2011

One parent, big cave. How else can we prevent students from learning about the complicated history and current events of this country? So many ways, so little time.

[Marcin A Mazurek]

11:50 AM on 08/13/2011

not sure, may not apply to you, but, wrong country?

[bessielil]

07:50 PM on 08/13/2011

Shame on me. Current events and history. Wherever.

What gets me is that one parent (or ten) can spook a school committee or curriculum director.

[Laserbeam]

10:29 AM on 08/13/2011

"Stevenson said she's pleased with the decision."

What a stupid _____.

We need a place we can send all the flat-earthers, book-banners, climate change deniers, and bigots where they can be weird in peace - and away from us!

[Mr Anonymous]

01:50 PM on 08/14/2011

We did recently find out the moon has water.