A project of the National Coalition Against Censorship

CO-SPONSORED BY
American Booksellers for Free Expression
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
Association of American Publishers

December 7, 2015
Christa Hazel, Board Chair
CC: Coeur dAlene Public School Board of Trustees
Coeur dAlene Public Schools
1400 N Northwood Center Ct
Coeur dAlene, ED 83814
Email: chazel@cdaschools.org
Dear Ms. Hazel and Members of the Coeur dAlene Public School Board of Trustees,
As organizations dedicated to the freedom to read, the integrity of the public education system, and the
application of First Amendment law and principles in public institutions, we are writing to recommend that
you base your decision about the inclusion of Jhumpa Lahiris The Namesake on the Coeur dAlene 12th
grade reading list for whole group instruction on the novels pedagogical merit, and not on subjective
dislike of its language or situations taken out of context.
We understand that Lake City High School English teacher Kirsten Pomerantz submitted the novel for
consideration, citing a need for current works by American authors. She submitted a Text Complexity and
Literature Rationale which concludes that that The Namesake is quantitatively and qualitatively
appropriate for 11th/12th grade readers. The Ad Hoc Curriculum Committee for High School Literature
reviewed the work on October 6, 2015, and voted 4-2, with one abstention, not to recommend it for whole
group instruction, citing explicit sex scenes that they say are too graphic for whole group instruction,
according to the meeting minutes. The recommendation was presented at Coeur dAlene School Districts
November 2nd Board Meeting, and the discussion has been open for a 30-day public comment period.
The Namesake, by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri, is the story of a first-generation IndianAmerican named Gogol, his parents struggle with assimilation in the United States after moving from
Calcutta, and Gogols quest for identity. As Ms. Pomerantzs rationale notes, [t]he novel is about the
conflict between opposing cultures, religious beliefs, and ideologies, and [t]he central characters name
is an example of the clash of cultures and misunderstandings that can ensue. Booklist calls the novel
triumphant, and School Library Journal suggests that it will attract not just teens of other cultures, but
also readers struggling with the challenges of growing up and tugging at family ties. Even the ad hoc
literature committee noted that they uniformly liked the general theme and thrust of the book, according
to committee member Chuck Wilkes, who was quoted in the Spokesman-Review and who ultimately voted
against the book.
We strongly urge you to consider the recognized literary standing of Jhumpa Lahiris work when voting on
whether to approve of The Namesake for whole group instruction in Coeur dAlene School District. As the
National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) notes, while materials should be suited to the maturity
level of the students, it is important to weigh the value of the material as a whole, particularly its
relevance to educational objectives High school seniors are on the cusp of adulthood, and some may
even be of legal voting age. Surely they are ready to read a book by an award-winning contemporary
author about the variety of human experience.

As you are aware, school officials are bound by a constitutional duty not to suppress unpopular,
controversial, or objectionable ideas. Making a decision based on the unquestionable pedagogical merit
of the book, rather than on objections to isolated passages, is consistent with recognized educational
principles, ensures that constitutional principles are maintained in the district, and is in the best interests of
the Coeur dAlene School District and its students.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,

Svetlana Mintcheva, Director of Programs

National Coalition Against Censorship

Chris Finan, Director

American Booksellers for Free Expression

Judy Platt, Director

Free Expression Advocacy
Association of American Publishers

Charles Brownstein, Executive Director

Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

Millie Davis, Director

Intellectual Freedom Center
National Council of Teachers of English

Lin Oliver, Executive Director

Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators

CC: Casey Morrisroe, Vice-Chair: cmorrisroe@cdaschools.org

Tambra Pickford: tpickford@cdaschools.org
Dave Eubanks: deubanks@cdaschools.org
Tom Hearn: thearn@cdaschools.org
Matthew Handelman, Superintendent: mhandelman@cdaschools.org
Mike Nelson, Director of Curriculum and Assessment: mnelson@cdaschools.org
Lynn Towne, Clerk of the Board: LTowne@cdaschools.org

19 Fulton Street, Suite 407, New York, NY 10038 | 212-807-6222 | www.ncac.org