The library book “Assassination Classroom” will be reviewed by Billings School District 2 on Monday

Billings, Montana – The Billings school district is also having problems with one of the six novels that the Laurel School Board chose on Monday to prohibit from the high school library.

On Monday, a board committee will convene to examine the book.

The 21-volume “Assassination Classroom” collection has been read by one parent, CiCi Kelling, and is up for inspection.

“This alien teacher has asked to teach these students and asked that they try to kill him,” Kelling said about the book.

“If one reads the book in its entirety and reads the whole series, there are very positive messages in it,” Kelling said. “And anyone who reads it would understand that it’s not really about assassination at all.”

Kelling pointed to some positives in the story: “He says to a student, jump off cliffs any time you wish.

Abandoning you is not an option.”

“How many kids would love to hear that from an adult in their lives?” Kelling asked. “It’s so creative. I just liked the creativity of it. I liked the ridiculousness of it.”

Jack Hanson concurs with Kelling that the books should remain in the school libraries.

“I think that teachers are not the concern here,” Hanson said. “I think parents absolutely should exercise active engagement with the ideas that their children are exposed to and dealing with. That’s part of being an active, engaged parent.”

During public comment periods at board meetings, parents have voiced concerns regarding the book.

“I don’t feel that they should be in the school library,” said Luke Hudson, a parent. “If you want to put them in the public library, then I think that’s a very appropriate place for these types of books. These books are available on Amazon and other booksellers. But we’re not here to ban books.”

Hudson appreciates that the book will be reviewed by a committee and that the board is examining how it obtains books for the library.

In Laurel, where the board decided this week to prohibit six books—including the fourth volume of “Assassination Classroom”—from being added to the high school library, the process and processes are also a source of worry.

“The books had been taken out of circulation and the board is just trying to find that transparent medium that we want in schools that allow us to have books,” said Matt Torix, Laurel Schools superintendent. “But we want the right age-appropriate books in our school and we’re just shooting for that right now.”

According to Torix, Laurel schools spent $120 on the six books, which a few board members are currently reviewing.

Additionally, striking a balance is difficult.

“I’d like it to be a lot more clear and objective when these books are challenged,” Hudson said.