Chris under fire - what's going on with these people?

Another book from the same author is under fire in another Michigan school (A story out of Crutcher's book Athletic Shorts was challenged earlier. Now, Whale Talk is being challenged.) A reverend is leading the protest.

"I've chosen not to have this in my home," Ken Himebaugh, a concerned parent, told 24 Hour News 8.

As a reverend and a parent, he says he can't believe the staff chose a book with words we're not allowed to say on TV…words kids would get in trouble for using at school.

"We all have an obligation to uphold the moral standards that we want to instill. So I'm looking at this from a moral standpoint," he said.

But Mr Crutcher will get to respond firsthand (I'd LOVE to see this):

Parents and students will find out what the author thinks of the controversy. As part of the program, Chris Crutcher will visit Grand Ledge next month. He will meet with his readers during two assemblies and will answer questions from adults at a community forum.

Finally, because bad weather delayed the start of school, he believes:

But, Reverend Himebaugh says a higher power stopped these kids from reading "Whale Talk" on Monday, and he'll take his case to the school board Monday night so it stays that way.

God strike us dead for reading a book that portrays high school like it really is. Because HS kids have virginal mouths.

Mr. Crutcher's website is full of info about the challenges, including a letter responding the the Reverend Himebaugh. Here is the letter he wrote in response to the Athletic Shorts criticism.

This pisses me off to no end; Crutcher is one of the best YA authors out there.