What at first appeared to be a routine discussion about procedures in approving curriculum in Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools turned into a passionate speech by school board member Amanda Shera.  The center of the controversy was a teacher assigning the book Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini to Shera’s daughter.

The book has been the center of controversy in some parts of the nation because of the author’s fictional depiction of a young boy from Afghanistan enduring the Russian invasion of his country and the later rule of the Taliban.  Reviewers of this book refer to the passages describing scenes of homosexual rape, murder, beatings, and a suicide attempt.

Some parents in localities in certain areas of the country have objected to Kite Runner being on required reading lists.  Many educators argue the book is about complex adult issues and can be taught at the high school level

Shera made clear at Wednesday night’s school board meeting she does not approve of her 16-year-old daughter being required to read Kite Runner.

“I am embarrassed that my child had to read it,” Shera told fellow board members.  “I apologize to my constituents that I did not read it ahead of time.”  Shera added she wants to have “an extra set of eyes” on the required reading book lists.

The school board does not approve required reading book lists, but school administrators establish procedures for such approvals, based on the policy the board passed Wednesday night.