Handmaids Tale Novel and Graphic Novel Version: Pornography and Indoctrination of Bartow School Kids.
Why are these books still on the shelves?
“The Handmaids Tale” is described as a “post-modern classic” by the administrators, committees and so-called “experts” of the Bartow County School System. Because of this they have made an active choice to retain it on the shelves of school libraries. It is also on the book list for an “AP Literature” course. Apparently there is no other literature that will do.
The book contains significant graphic depictions of sexual activity, rape and violence. Further, the school system also keeps the GRAPHIC NOVEL version of the book. (see below with caution)
The book has gained fame as a political tool to support abortion rights. The book describes a totalitarian state in the future in which women are merely breeding tools for the elite and are routinely abused. It is common to see political protests with women dressed in characteristic red robes with white hats. These garbed protestors are frequently seen demonstrating in favor of unlimited abortion and for other extreme causes. The group “Ruth Sent Us”, based on a Handmaid’s character, organized protests and gruesome demonstrations at Catholic Churches in 2022 after the repeal of Roe vs Wade. The book is clearly an indoctrination tool attempting to recruit kids to the cause of supporting abortion. In addition it is pornographic and designed to instill despair, rather than hope in our kids
There will be many excuses made as to why they must have this book available for kids. There may be deception about it being “accidentally” placed on the shelves or there will be efforts to hide it from parents and the public by having it not available for search. There is only one correct response to the presence of “The Handmaid’s Tale” and the Graphic Novel version: It should be removed from the curriculum and the libraries.
However at this moment, the graphic novel and the novels are still on the shelves. In addition there are books on the shelf to help students analyze the Handmaids Tale at Cass, Woodland and Adairsville. The books is still on the search engine for
CASS HIGH SCHOOL
The Graphic Novel is still on the shelf and actually checked out by some young soul. Also is the original novel and a book on how to analyze The Handmaid’s Tale (as at Adairsville, below).
WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL
The book and a book to analyze it are on the shelf. Woodland High School as “available”.
Adairsville High School
This book was on the shelf as of 1/2/24. However, it is not found in the search engine for the school library. However, a book on how to analyze the book is on the shelf.
CAUTION OFFENSIVE MATERIAL BELOW - AGE 18 and Over please. Cease Reading to avoid.
CAUTION OFFENSIVE MATERIAL BELOW - AGE 18 and Over please. Cease Reading to avoid.
The Rated Books website was used for finding images and texts from books that were available in the Bartow Schools as recently as early January 2024. The Graphic Novel analysis is linked here (with graphic images at bottom of screen) and the original novel analysis. Readers who want to see exactly what is in this book, now available for classroom use as part of the curriculum, should follow those links.
The Graphic Novel Version
The Graphic novel faithfully follows the text of the novel and censored images of this are here. There is no excuse that could EVER justify having this given to school kids by the schools.
The Graphic Novel analysis is linked here (with graphic images at bottom of screen) .
Original Novel
The link to the original novel analysis is here.
The Rated Books website was used for finding images and texts from books that were available in the Bartow Schools as recently as early January 2024. The Graphic Novel analysis is linked here (with graphic images at bottom of screen) and the original novel analysis.
The Process
As part of the process of evaluating the books in the system, a spreadsheet was obtained through a Public Information Request. That spreadsheet was searched and compared to the library search engines through the Bartow School System for Adairsville HS and Woodland HS. The books of concern were then presented to the Superintendent Dr. Page and his Replacement Clint Terza. They both acknowledged that both the Handmaids Tale and the GRAPHIC NOVEL version of the book were on the shelves. They are using various committees to determine the appropriateness of the books. However the decision has been made to keep on shelf in the High Schools and a decision on the Graphic novel version is still pending apparently.
Will you stand up at the next School Board meeting to have these books removed? That should be the second Monday of March.
Respectfully offered,
David McKalip, M.D.
The Handmaid's Tale is an excellent example of dystopian fiction. I absolutely believe it should be included in the modern literary canon. My daughter (12 now) is a little young for it, but I will definitely recommend that she reads it in 2 to 3 years. It is a modern day classic.