Resident targets book at Dover High School library for removal

DOVER — Dover School Board members will convene Wednesday to vote on whether to remove a book from the Dover High School library after a resident’s bid to have it taken off the shelves.

Author Barry Lyga’s 2007 book “Boy Toy” is the subject of taxpayer Julie Porter’s request for reconsideration filed with the school district last school year. The plot centers around a high school boy who was molested by a former teacher and the trauma he endures.

The book is not required reading for students and has been offered in the Dover High School library since 2008.

Porter’s appeal of the book with the school district notes she believes the book should be withdrawn from all students, that its theme or purpose is “pedophilia,” and alleges that the book was acquired with public funds in violation of the law, according to School Board agenda materials. Porter’s recommendation is that the book is for students aged 18 or older.

Porter wrote that her efforts are “in no way an attack on the LGBTQ community.” Porter additionally commented, “This is not a book ban, it is what is age and developmentally appropriate for children under 18.”

“This book encourages/promotes sexual abuse, underage alcohol use, pedophilia and rape,” Porter wrote. “The fact that it’s about a (12-year-old) middle school boy is not an ethical/ moral example for children. And if it stays in the library, the possibility a child will believe it is acceptable behavior and acts on it, because it’s in the school library, is criminal, at best.

“The fact (that) the high school has children under 18, should be enough to remove this book. This book will cause early childhood adverse events. The name and contents of the book, in of itself, is a reflection of a sick individual and (is) confusing to unsuspecting minor children,” Porter continues.

Porter did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

The SAU 11 book reconsideration committee has already recommended

keeping the book in place at the Dover High School library, as it is not required reading for students.

“The committee agrees that this book is not appropriate for all DHS students; however, this book is not required reading,” reads a memo written by school district assistant superintendent Christine Boston, who chairs the book reconsideration committee. “School libraries are responsible for circulating books which reach a wide range of appeal, viewpoints, and abilities. While ‘Boy Toy’ has mature content, the words and descriptions are familiar to the majority of students at DHS, and the book contains sufficient literary value to merit its continued inclusion in the DHS library.”

District superintendent William Harbron also issued his recommendation to keep the book in the school, as was requested by Porter in accordance with district policy.

“‘Boy Toy’ has significant literary value and cultural relevance. ‘Boy Toy’ tells the story of a high school student who is a past victim of teacher-student sexual misconduct (molestation), and who is seeking to come to terms with it,” Harbron wrote to Porter on Oct. 3. “As we all know, many maturing high school students frequently have to confront the topic of sex. Unfortunately, sexual molestation remains a reality in today’s society. Stories such as ‘Boy Toy’ can help students gain insight and understanding about themselves and others. It is not uncommon for books read by high school students to contain some adult themes.”

The School Board’s vote on Wednesday will be the final decision on the book, per the district’s policy.

In April, the Dover school district noted Porter’s request for reconsideration of “Boy Toy” was one of eight books she asked the SAU 11 leaders to review.

The other titles include “It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex and Sexual Health” by Robie Harris; “Identical” by Ellen Hopkins; “Girl in Pieces” by Kathleen Glasgow; “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” by Jonathan Foer; “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson; “Allegedly a Novel” by Tiffany D. Jackson; and “Breathless” by Jennifer Niven.

“It’s Perfectly Normal” was targeted by a York grandmother in the winter of 2022, prompting a York School Committee review. The committee decided to keep the book at the York Middle School library.

New York City nonprofit PEN America reported in April that there were 1,477 instances of books being banned in schools across America, involving 874 titles, during the first half of last school year.

The Dover City Council passed a resolution in mid-June denouncing “unconstitutional” attempts to censor books at Dover’s public and school libraries.

The Dover School Board vote will occur at a meeting beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1 in the McConnell Center.