- slsettle6
Would you like your 9th grader reading these books?
Updated: May 12, 2022
A concerned Fountain Hills parent, Jen Skouson, posted the following regarding supplemental reading materials on review at the FHUSD. Thanks for the efforts and bringing awareness to what's in the books Jen! I wholeheartedly agree and my children will NOT be reading these books either!
The below materials are being considered as supplemental reading
material for 9th grade English and AP

literature. After doing a review of the books below is what I found. My daughter will not be reading these, would love to hear what other parents think.
Dear Evan Hansen
Deals with topics including suicide, grief, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Strong language includes variations of "s--t," "f--k," "bitch," "d--k," and more. One character reveals that his sexuality is fluid. Characters make sexual references and jokes such as "jerking off" too much, getting to second base below the bra, "sucking d--k" for meth, sending nude pictures, and more.
The Sun is also a Star Profanity includes the f-word, WTF, s—, d–k, h—, pr–k, godd–n, a–hole, b–tard and d–n. The Lord’s name is often taken in vain. Daniel confronts Charlie, and they have a fistfight, leaving both boys with black eyes and Daniel with a busted lip. There are also racist comments made. More then one incident of drunk driving. Innuendo’s referencing the main characters penis size and multiple other sexual references.
The Alchemist A lot of witchcraft references and teachings against biblical principals.
The Picture of Dorian Gray The main character sells his soul to remain young. He drives a friend to suicide and eventually murders a friend in cold blood. Strong homosexual overtones in the book hinting at sexual relationships with both men and women. There are occasional cursing and profanity, along with a few references to smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol, and even using opium. Lovers, orgies, and harlots are all briefly mentioned.
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead A lot of this play focused on philosophical conversation. There was talk about the meaning of death, the way other characters mourned, and the knowledge of mortality.