Cooper 7th Grade Book List

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is at Longfellow and I completely support this parent. This is indoctrination, 7th graders have no business reading content with horrible language and explicit sexual references. FCPS needs to get a handle on this nonsense. I think the parent at Cooper is an Asian mom, I am an Asian as well and I can surely understand her thought process.

Literally every book someone could find something wrong with, even the classics. No one is saying the kids have to read every book on this list. But I hate to break it to you, these kids know about sex, drugs, BLM, gender identity already, just by talking. While I support parents doing what they think is best for THEIR child, no one should be banning books for ALL children. If you can’t find a book you are comfortable with your child reading, then contact the teacher. All this hoopla about a list is ridiculous.

DP. There's a difference between what kids talk about amongst themselves or see on their phones compared to officially sanctioned material in class/for class. It's not all equivalent. Are these books elevating or edifying? Or are they all about "identity", something that middle school children have not yet formed and are impressionable? What should we be aiming to teach them? If everything is contrarian, counter culture, pushing boundaries, subversive, they will not learn our culture. Because we are refusing to teach it to them.

Our culture? What does that even mean? American culture? Who decides what is good literature and what isn’t? Even with classics you have people who don’t like it or love it. As for the idea of identity…identity is more than gender. Identity is all aspects of what makes you you. There are a ton of classics that focus on the idea of identity. Little Women is a great example.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is at Longfellow and I completely support this parent. This is indoctrination, 7th graders have no business reading content with horrible language and explicit sexual references. FCPS needs to get a handle on this nonsense. I think the parent at Cooper is an Asian mom, I am an Asian as well and I can surely understand her thought process.

Literally every book someone could find something wrong with, even the classics. No one is saying the kids have to read every book on this list. But I hate to break it to you, these kids know about sex, drugs, BLM, gender identity already, just by talking. While I support parents doing what they think is best for THEIR child, no one should be banning books for ALL children. If you can’t find a book you are comfortable with your child reading, then contact the teacher. All this hoopla about a list is ridiculous.

DP. There's a difference between what kids talk about amongst themselves or see on their phones compared to officially sanctioned material in class/for class. It's not all equivalent. Are these books elevating or edifying? Or are they all about "identity", something that middle school children have not yet formed and are impressionable? What should we be aiming to teach them? If everything is contrarian, counter culture, pushing boundaries, subversive, they will not learn our culture. Because we are refusing to teach it to them.

What exactly is "our culture"? These aren't counter culture, subversive books--they are just contemporary books reflecting the diverse perspectives that are American.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is at Longfellow and I completely support this parent. This is indoctrination, 7th graders have no business reading content with horrible language and explicit sexual references. FCPS needs to get a handle on this nonsense. I think the parent at Cooper is an Asian mom, I am an Asian as well and I can surely understand her thought process.

Literally every book someone could find something wrong with, even the classics. No one is saying the kids have to read every book on this list. But I hate to break it to you, these kids know about sex, drugs, BLM, gender identity already, just by talking. While I support parents doing what they think is best for THEIR child, no one should be banning books for ALL children. If you can’t find a book you are comfortable with your child reading, then contact the teacher. All this hoopla about a list is ridiculous.

DP. There's a difference between what kids talk about amongst themselves or see on their phones compared to officially sanctioned material in class/for class. It's not all equivalent. Are these books elevating or edifying? Or are they all about "identity", something that middle school children have not yet formed and are impressionable? What should we be aiming to teach them? If everything is contrarian, counter culture, pushing boundaries, subversive, they will not learn our culture. Because we are refusing to teach it to them.

Whose culture culture is "our culture"? What does that mean?

Haven't books meant for young readers almost always been about pushing boundaries? That's what many teens identify with, so it makes sense that they would want to read about similar experiences to their own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is at Longfellow and I completely support this parent. This is indoctrination, 7th graders have no business reading content with horrible language and explicit sexual references. FCPS needs to get a handle on this nonsense. I think the parent at Cooper is an Asian mom, I am an Asian as well and I can surely understand her thought process.

Literally every book someone could find something wrong with, even the classics. No one is saying the kids have to read every book on this list. But I hate to break it to you, these kids know about sex, drugs, BLM, gender identity already, just by talking. While I support parents doing what they think is best for THEIR child, no one should be banning books for ALL children. If you can’t find a book you are comfortable with your child reading, then contact the teacher. All this hoopla about a list is ridiculous.

DP. There's a difference between what kids talk about amongst themselves or see on their phones compared to officially sanctioned material in class/for class. It's not all equivalent. Are these books elevating or edifying? Or are they all about "identity", something that middle school children have not yet formed and are impressionable? What should we be aiming to teach them? If everything is contrarian, counter culture, pushing boundaries, subversive, they will not learn our culture. Because we are refusing to teach it to them.

Whose culture culture is "our culture"? What does that mean?

Haven't books meant for young readers almost always been about pushing boundaries? That's what many teens identify with, so it makes sense that they would want to read about similar experiences to their own.

Sure.

But look again at the list.

There is a political agenda behind this list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Longfellow parent here. I have no problem with the content of modern books that promote diverse viewpoints or experiences. But I DO have a problem with the quality of reading that’s expected of kids. My kid is in AAP, and has NO specific required teading. She can choose from lists, and virtually everything is way way below grade level. Look up the lexile level recommended for 7th-8th graders, then look up the Lexile of each of the books on the list. Middle school kids in FCPS are being given virtually no recommendations or options for books that will build and stretch their reading skills. The books are all at 3rd-6th grade reading level. This, I think, is worth calling the schools out on.

I agree. My kid is in Carson AAP and I am shocked by the low level of reading they have done the last two years.

[Anonymous]

I would like some books that are more positive and about children in every day life. Children aren't reading like they used to and are missing out on all the books about growing up and becoming a positive teen and then contributing adult

[Anonymous]

My DS (Cooper 8th grader) read The Breadwinner, about an Afghan girl who posed as a boy to survive. I guess someone could say that is a “trans” agenda, but they would be a$$holes for thinking so. My son loves the book!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would like some books that are more positive and about children in every day life. Children aren't reading like they used to and are missing out on all the books about growing up and becoming a positive teen and then contributing adult

There are plenty of books like this out there. Take your kid to the library and check them out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems the unhappy Cooper parent(s) are trying to get more publicity about the reading assignments:

https://dailycaller.com/2023/09/24/losing-our-freedom-of-speech-parent-speaks-out-against-middle-schools-explicit-reading-list/

LOL. Daily Caller?

RWNJ trash.

[Anonymous]

Just have your kid read the books you want outside of assignments. Kids need to read constantly to grow vocabulary and learn. They should be reading outside homework anyhow. Make a list and have them read that if it’s important to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, key point - OPTIONAL. Your 7th grade kid will not be required to read any particular book. Lists are provided precisely to give parents a heads-up in case they want to steer their kids toward or away from some titles. What more can you ask, really? Unless you want all kids to be required to "read" one book regardless of interest or reading level ... a sure-fire way to make lots of kids hate reading and English class.

Are you one of the three teachers on the Cooper 7th grade English syllabus?
"key point-OPTIONAL" is not mentioned in the syllabus.
"Lists are provided precisely to give parents a heads-up in case they want to steer their kids toward or away from some titles." -- Do you mean parents can opt out their students from the book assigned for reading? If you are the teachers, please clarify this.
The syllabus states: "As a class, we will read a variety of books that challenge individual readers and provide opportunities for everyone to explore universal concepts. We will read using literature circles to match student reading abilities and to allow for more student choice, while still encouraging class-wide discussion of lager concepts that match each of our units. To further support student learning, we will also require supplemental short stories, poetry, nonfiction articles, independent reading novels, and other media that connect via a unit's universal concept. To see the list of potential book choices, go to the next page."
The universal concepts of study listed in Cooper 7th Grade English syllabus are:
Identity - Community - The Unknown - Loyalty - Justice - Ethics - Perspective - Change

Are all Cooper parents such ninnies or is it just you? They ALWAYS seem to be looking for something to get upset about.

MAGA whiners trying to trash public schools during an election year. They recycle this faux book hysteria right on schedule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, key point - OPTIONAL. Your 7th grade kid will not be required to read any particular book. Lists are provided precisely to give parents a heads-up in case they want to steer their kids toward or away from some titles. What more can you ask, really? Unless you want all kids to be required to "read" one book regardless of interest or reading level ... a sure-fire way to make lots of kids hate reading and English class.

Are you one of the three teachers on the Cooper 7th grade English syllabus?
"key point-OPTIONAL" is not mentioned in the syllabus.
"Lists are provided precisely to give parents a heads-up in case they want to steer their kids toward or away from some titles." -- Do you mean parents can opt out their students from the book assigned for reading? If you are the teachers, please clarify this.
The syllabus states: "As a class, we will read a variety of books that challenge individual readers and provide opportunities for everyone to explore universal concepts. We will read using literature circles to match student reading abilities and to allow for more student choice, while still encouraging class-wide discussion of lager concepts that match each of our units. To further support student learning, we will also require supplemental short stories, poetry, nonfiction articles, independent reading novels, and other media that connect via a unit's universal concept. To see the list of potential book choices, go to the next page."
The universal concepts of study listed in Cooper 7th Grade English syllabus are:
Identity - Community - The Unknown - Loyalty - Justice - Ethics - Perspective - Change

Are all Cooper parents such ninnies or is it just you? They ALWAYS seem to be looking for something to get upset about.

MAGA whiners trying to trash public schools during an election year. They recycle this faux book hysteria right on schedule.

You seem to be the one whining, PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems the unhappy Cooper parent(s) are trying to get more publicity about the reading assignments:

https://dailycaller.com/2023/09/24/losing-our-freedom-of-speech-parent-speaks-out-against-middle-schools-explicit-reading-list/

LOL. Daily Caller?

RWNJ trash.

Actually, not at all (trash) and good for that mom doing something right and productive!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems the unhappy Cooper parent(s) are trying to get more publicity about the reading assignments:

https://dailycaller.com/2023/09/24/losing-our-freedom-of-speech-parent-speaks-out-against-middle-schools-explicit-reading-list/

LOL. Daily Caller?

RWNJ trash.

Actually, not at all (trash) and good for that mom doing something right and productive!

It is 100% RWNJ trash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid just started 7th grade at Cooper and he's not in AAP. The book list from his English class contains about 40 books. I looked at the books and was shocked to see that none of the books are classics. There's no Tom Sawyer, To Kill a Mocking Bird, Great Expectation or Oliver Twist, which in my mind, are great books for this age, even though the language might be different. (I'm a 50-yr old immigrant who speaks English as a second language, for background)

The first 5 books are:
1. A good kind of trouble, by Lisa Moor Ramee, keyword when I searched county library catalog suggests BLM;
2. All American Boys by Brenan Kiely and Jason Reynolds, library catalog keyword racism;
3. Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed, keyword Pakistan/family
4. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz, keyword homosexuality
5. Blended by Sharon M. Draper, keyword black father white mother

While I personally hold nothing against the topics above, when did English class become a brain washing course with hidden agenda? Why can't the kids simply learn the beauty of the English language, and be inspired by the great minds, even from a complete different time? Or am I living in such a sheltered life that the topics are prevailing way of life now? Shouldn't all the current events be part of civics class?


welcome to the new America, Mom. You are right. Everyone else is wrong. Your kid needs to learn the classics to able to exchange with others about literature, history, observation of events but today's curriculum has been kidnaped by the far right. Move quickly to a private or catholic school that is interested in actually teaching your kid what they need to know to succeed in life. Public ain't cutting it at this point and I say this from vast experience.

I don't know if the list is specific to his class or to Cooper, but my question to the wise readers here--what should I do? Tell my kids not to read these books which means going against the school? Or ask for an alternate list?