Book ban debate heats up over French book in Lebanon County schools

Residents recently spoke up at a Palmyra Area School Board meeting with concerns that the board could reject a popular French language reader because it contains “fringe topics.”

During a meeting Dec. 8 regarding the controversial suspension and investigation of the district’s wrestling coaches, school district officials also listened to two residents who shared concerns about potentially banning “Alice: La Liste.” In a Dec. 19 committee meeting, two school board members said they would reject the book based on cultural topics and influences.

District resident Angie Foltz said that school board members’ concerns were unfounded, and books like “Alice: La Liste” prepare students for a diverse workplace when they graduate.

“Why would we not want our students to learn about the experiences of their fellow world citizens?” she said. “Do we think they will not be exposed to different cultures and people with different experiences? I hope not. I do not want my child to graduate high school and not learn about different cultures and people.”

“Alice: La Liste” is a 2019 self-published young adult French language novel by language teacher Cécilia Lainé. According to the author’s website, the book follows a French-Algerian girl, Alice, whose family is moving from Southern France to Paris. The book deals mostly with Alice’s self discovery as a teenager during this move, but does touch on issues like racism towards people of North African origin in France.

Palmyra Supt. Dr. Bernie Kepler told the Lebanon Daily News after the meeting that decisions about the book is on the school board’s curriculum committee agenda for Jan. 22.

“It’s a book through our curriculum process that is teacher recommended,” he said. “The administration recommends and believes it’s a book that’s a fine read with our students.”

Board members’ comments

During a public curriculum committee hearing Dec. 18, the administration recommended that “Alice: La Liste” be used as a French 2 reader, for teachers to purchase as part of the district’s 2026-27 school budget and used in the spring 2027 for a French II class.

During discussion of the book, school board member Seth Steinmeltz stated he had a concern after looking over reviews of the book. He added that there were “some topics and insights that are found in general Google searches regarding the book” that he didn’t believe were appropriate topics the school should discuss.

“So before I give my approval and my vote towards it, I want to make sure I’m doing the best motion, the best possibility to ensure that our kids are learning French and not learning French policy and political topics,” he said.

Steinmeltz added that his searches revealed the book raised topics that include Islamophobia, anti-immigration of tourists, Islamic immigration into France, and racism and derogatory names. He described these as “fringe topics” that are not required in a class dedicated to learning the French language.

“Unless we are prepared to ask those other questions or answer those other questions within a French class, those are things we need to stay away from,” he said to board members at that meeting.

Officials have said that French II is an immersive course, with 95% of the class time speaking the French language and teaching through stories. High School Principal Scott Richardson said that includes exposing students to French culture.

Despite this explanation, school board member Corey Andrew questioned whether a language acquisition course should delve into political affairs.

“There are entities, not local, that pursue different agendas than what materials are marketed to educators for, and it’s naïve to believe that all education materials are sound, valid or necessary,” he said. “There are forces that are looking to infiltrate what are good, sound educational practice and information with other things that are available to students in other places.”

Andrew was asked by board member Dave Laudermilch during the Dec. 18 meeting what entities he was referring to, but Andrew declined to answer and said he needed time to prepare. Andrews added that he was entitled to his perspective due to his “experiences with some of these organizations.”

When Laudermilch pressed for an answer, school board president Jill Martin responded that Andrew answered his questions and that the board should move on.

Neither Steinmeltz, Andrew, Laudermilch or Martin addressed residents’ comments about potentially banning “Alice: La Liste” during the Jan. 8 public board meeting.

Residents’ comments

Foltz told board members Jan. 8 that students need to be prepared to live in a diverse society, and avoiding discussion about learning other cultures only diminishes students’ understanding when they graduate.

“French class is absolutely an appropriate place for our students to learn more about France and its culture,” she said. “It’s healthy to learn from one another. As we give our students opportunities to discuss, grow and understanding of their world, we increase their ability to think critically and connect with others.”

Carrie Bonanno said she was disturbed that school board members suggested the district should ban a book because of a Google search rather than reading it.

“Banning a book places the Palmyra Area School District on a slippery slope, and I’m concerned that once we make that first step it will be difficult to recover,” she said to board members. “I urge you to seriously consider whether this district should make such a momentous decision without even reading the book first.”

Patricia Steely, the education chair of the Lebanon County branch of the NAACP, wrote the board saying that she was troubled topics such as racism, Islamophobia or derogatory language should exclude a book from the classroom “simply because they are uncomfortable.”

“Public education should encourage learning, discussion and understanding — not silence,” she wrote. “Decisions about curriculum should be grounded in educational merit and professional expertise, not selective Google internet searches or fear of difficult topics. I’m left wondering why the opinions of the professionals that already vetted the book aren’t being respected? I welcome answers from Mr. Seinmetz and Mr. Andrews, or anyone else that wishes to respond to my question.”

Before the public comment section began, Martin told residents that the board would not be responding to their comments during the meeting. While she did not reference the “Alice: La Liste” concerns or the wrestling coaches suspension directly, she said residents should direct specific questions or complaints to the administration after the meeting.

“But just a reminder this is not a time for us as a board to dialogue with you, but we do want to sincerely hear your comments,” she said to residents Jan. 8. “So I ask each member of the board to fully give your attention to each speaker as they come forward.”

Kepler told the Lebanon Daily News that district administration has received emails from some people about the school board members’ comments regarding “Alice: La Liste,” but the Jan. 8 meeting was the first public opportunity for residents to address their concerns directly to board members.

Residents looking for more information about how to contact the Palmyra Area School Board can visit the district’s website at pasd.us.