The Lauras by Sara Taylor, contains a barrage of offensive words and phrases (crotch giblets in my pants, human-fucking being, would you let me suck your dick?, dick suck-er and suck-ee, pissed off, asshole, shit etc etc.),five descriptive scenes of/references to masturbation, several scenes of physical violence, drug-use and scenes set in Strip clubs and Drag clubs, where the minor in the story lets an adult “dress me like a doll”. Every chapter is infused with references to sexual acts or sexual thoughts and has no other obvious theme or redeeming merit for the classroom.
On pages 56 - 60 there is a graphically described scene, in which a minor is subjected to oral sex in a car by an older man, and decides afterwards she rather enjoyed the experience.This scene is explicit, describes in detail, the man’s penis (“dick”) and what he expects the girl to do with it, what she does to it with her mouth and tongue, what it felt/tasted like etc. etc.
Verdict: This is unbelievable to think that this book has been selected,presumably by a teacher on the NCCA! Someone is pushing to sexualise our kids. Let’s fight to get this book off the curriculum-the sooner, the better! My husband is livid….!
(E. T. concerned Mother of teenagers, Co.Louth)
Verdict: Not at all suitable for teenagers in terms of influence. Immoral and crude.
(Lisa & David M. Co.Dublin, parents of 13yr old, 16yr old, 18yr old)
Verdict: This book was chosen with a definite agenda in mind! English class is not the place to be pushing this sexual agenda….where is the true literary merit in this book? It is all about dysfunction…...I do not want my daughter (or her friends) subjected to this disgusting read….
(Angry Mum, Jane T. Co.Donegal)
Verdict: This book is promoting an adult having oral sex with a minor! It should be reported and the NCCA called to account for choosing this book!! I for one am going to see that it gets removed from the prescribed list!!
(D.C. Co. Dublin)