‘Catcher in the Rye’ targeted in N. Berwick

PORTLAND – The mother of a freshman at Noble High School in North Berwick wants J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” removed from the freshman curriculum.

Andrea Minnon of Lebanon said she had never heard of Salinger’s book, a coming-of-age story about a 16-year-old boy, before she learned it was on her son’s freshman reading list.

After researching the book online with her husband, Minnon concluded it espouses immoral ideas inappropriate for freshman-age students. She’s asking that it be removed from the freshman curriculum in School Administrative District 60, which includes Noble High.

Salinger’s book, long a staple of required reading lists in public schools, is also a regular on the American Library Association’s list of most controversial books.

SAD 60 policy states that students can sit out class discussions about a book they consider objectionable. Minnon, however, is asking that the book be banned from the entire freshman class.

“Obviously it touched a nerve with a parent, and they have every right to bring it before us,” said school board Chairman Kerry Briggs. He said he was “glad we can discuss it in a civilized manner.”

Minnon, who is now reading Salinger’s book herself, said mature themes such as drinking and prostitution, and profane language, are inappropriate for a 14-year-old.

Noble High Principal Christian Elkington said he’s standing by the teacher’s decision to put the book on the class reading list.