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Parent says book is too graphic for studentsFree Access


Luke Williams, who has a son at North Marshall Middle School, told Marshall County Board of Education last Thursday night

The book “Chasing Lincoln’s Killer is drawing fire from a middle schooler’s parent.

during their meeting that he felt the book, “Chasing Lincoln’s Killer” contained passages that were too graphic for middle school children.

Specifically, he pointed out passages in the book that recounted Lincoln’s doctor probing the wounded President’s brain and another passage that described who had suffered an injury during the Civil War that left his teeth exposed.

Williams said his son’s class had been assigned to write a report on the book by their teacher and that his son had experienced trauma after reading those passages.

He also complained about a photo in the book that showed the devil whispering into John Wilkes Booth’s ear.

Luke English, President of the Marshall County Educators Association spoke to the board immediately following Williams. English said, He was there to speak about something he never thought he would have to speak about and that he never thought he would even hear about. Then he told the board he and the MCEA would stand behind its members.

“Chasing Lincoln’s Killer” is the true story of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the capture of his killer, John Wilkes Booth, 12-days later. The story is told using trial manuscripts, interviews, and other firsthand accounts and the book has received several awards including an award from the American Library Association. Some of the descriptions of the book say it is written for young readers.

Following the meeting members of the school board spoke with Williams and assured him they would discuss the book with the teacher and the principal at the school.

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