'Snow Falling on Cedars' booted from Port Orchard schools

PORT ORCHARD, Wash. -- The best-selling novel "Snow Falling on Cedars," which describes the internment of Japanese-Americans from western Washington during World War II, has been restricted by the South Kitsap School Board after critics complained about sexual content and profanity.

The book by Bainbridge author David Guterson was being considered for the district's approved reading list for high school juniors.

The board voted 3-2 Monday night not to list the book, which was named 1995 book of the year by the American Booksellers Association and won the PEN/Faulkner Award. It also was made into a movie.

"This book is extremely vulgar," said parent Doug Bean, one of nearly 50 people who addressed the board. "This book doesn't teach respect, it teaches self-indulgence."

Supporters praised its historic and moral lessons and Guterson's writing style.

"It is a lot more dangerous thing to not let a student read this book than it is to let them read it," said Yvonne Saddler, a retired librarian.

The book, set in the Puget Sound area after World War II, is about a Japanese-American man accused in the death of a fellow salmon fisherman.

It explores the hardships suffered by Japanese-Americans interned during the war.

"This is going to give South Kitsap a black eye," said Sheldon Levin, who spoke in support of the book. "This shows that the district is not serious about teaching racial tolerance."

Karen Mano Little, whose parents were interned in 1942, said it is important for students to know that thousands of Japanese-Americans lost their homes, property and lives during the war years.

Guterson has an unlisted telephone number and could not be reached for comment. New York-based Vintage Books, the Random House division that published the book, did not immediately return a phone call.

South Kitsap district officials say they believe their district is the only school one in the state to restrict the book so far. The book was banned last year by schools in the south-central Texas community of Boerne, whose educators cited graphic violence, racial bigotry and honeymoon sex.

In that case, Guterson -- a former high school teacher -- said he supports the right of local communities to decide what's appropriate reading for students.

"It's not up to me" whether Texas seniors read the book, he said.

Like any book added to the South Kitsap curriculum, "Snow Falling on Cedar" was reviewed by committees at the high school and district levels.

Both panels recommended its inclusion on the approved reading list. Students are not required to read listed books that they or their parents disapprove of.