'Eleanor and Park' is Kerri's book pick

'Eleanor & Park' by Rainbow Rowell
Book cover courtesy of publisher

Kerri's book Pick of the Week is "Eleanor and Park," the acclaimed young adult book by Rainbow Rowell that is one of the New York Times notable children's books of the year.

Amazon says "don't let the stigma of 'books for teens' fool or deter you. It is written about teens, sure, but the themes are so universal that anyone who survived high school will relate to the lives of the two protagonists."

Locally, the book caused some controversy in the Anoka-Hennepin School District when parents objected to the book being in the high school summer reading program:

Parents of a student objected to the book's content, citing its use of profanity and its treatment of sexuality. The Anoka County Library had scheduled a visit by Rowell, but the event was canceled due to the controversy. Chair Tom Heidemann of the school board said officials were considering two issues: whether the book should have been included in the library, and whether it was appropriate for the reading program.

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