New committee to review ‘The Yearling'

CHIPLEY – A new committee will review “The Yearling” after the person complaining about the book did not agree with a recommendation to keep the book at Chipley High School. Superintendent Dr. Sandra Cook said that the new committee would also make a recommendation, and if that recommendation is not agreed to by the person registering the complaint it will be up to the Washington County School Board.

A committee created to review the classic novel “The Yearling” had recommended keeping the 1939 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel on the reading list after a complaint about the use of the “N” word in the Marjorie Kinney Rawlings novel about life in 1930s rural Florida.

The request to remove the book was given to Chipley High School Principal Steve Griffin several weeks ago by a parent who stated that the book was offensive due to its reference to African Americans by use of the “N” word. The parent has refused to be identified in public.

Until reviewing of the book is complete, “The Yearling” has been pulled from the 10^th grade honors English program.

The novel was adapted into a film in 1946, starring Gregory Peck and Jane Wyman. Both were nominated for Oscars for their performances.