Should I oppose our Catholic School's summer reading assignment of Omnivore's Dilemma?

[ELDEN_S_WIFE]

My daughter, a rising 6th grader, was given an assignment to read the Omnivore’s Dilemma over the summer. My husband (who is not Catholic) nearly busted a gasket when he heard. He said the school had no right requiring the children to read a book that obviously had a Social Agenda. He said we sent our daughter there to be taught reading, writing, arithmetic, etc and that we would instruct our children on these matters.

They want the parents to read the book also.

Is it wrong for our school to insist on this? They are going to be tested and assessed on this book once the school year begins. They did give us the option of finding another similar book on the environment, sustainability or Christian stewardship. But I have not been able to find anything on her level,

Is the school overstepping its bounds in this reading assignment?

Sincerely,
Mary

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

I suggest that you ask the diocesan director of Catholic elementary schools if a parish school can give a family a reading assignment when school isn’t even in session. This sounds over the top to me.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.