Swansea mother upset at book's explicit content

SWANSEA, SC (WIS) - We received a call from viewer Jessie Gilliam saying she was upset about a book her daughter brought home from her school library.

Gilliam says it's too sexually explicit.

It's a book that describes a "cherry red bra and thong" and dipping body parts "in ranch dressing" and it's on the library shelf for any Swansea High School student to check out.

According to Gilliam, "The Making of Dr. True Love" goes way beyond love. "It's ridiculous," she says.

Gilliam's 16-year-old daughter showed her the book.

"She said, 'Mom, read the first page of this book.' And I read it and I was upset about it," said Gilliam. "You might as well watch an X-rated movie, that's how I look at it."

It's not a health book. It's fiction. The book graphically depicts sex between teenagers. It describes bodily fluids. In Gilliam's mind, the book encourages teens to have sex.

"That's not education, you'll get in the mood," said Gilliam. "This book will put you in the mood."

Swansea High School's librarian Emily Taylor says the book was purchased in January. She says she's never read the book, but several national reviewers recommended it. Taylor says the school was especially interested in ordering the book, because it was listed for African-American teenage interest.

"Just because I'm African-American and this is an African-American book, doesn't give my kids the right to read this book," said Gilliam. "That's an insult to me. If you want African-American kids to read more books, put educational books that's interesting, as in basketball, my daughter she wants to do ballet. Put more of them in there."

The librarian says any parent who has a concern about a book should contact their principal in writing.