Librarian fired over The Last Book in the Universe?

A librarian hired as a consultant to the Bellevue Union school district in Santa Rosa, California, was fired in November after giving a booktalk on Rodman Philbrick's The Last Book in the Universe. Richie Partington, a part-time faculty member at San Jose State's School of Library and Information Science, is best known for his children's book review website Richie's Picks and has been named to the selection committee for the 2009 Caldecott Medal. Partington was hired last October to update all the library collections in the school district; one of his first book picks was Philbrick's science-fiction fantasy, which he presented to two sixth grade classes at Kawana Elementary School in Santa Rosa on November 14 and 16. The booktalk was so successful that students were "clamoring" to read it, but when Partington attempted to add four copies to the school library, he was met with resistance. The clerk staffing the library told Partington that although she hadn't read the book, she "didn’t like the idea of that book because it had to do with gangs."

What happened next is open to question; according to the school superintendent, the clerk complained to the principal, who requested a meeting with Partington to discuss the book, and Partington refused. Partington, however, states on his website that he responded to an email request for a meeting by asking that the principal first read the book in question, suggesting that there could be no useful discussion otherwise. What isn't in question is how the school responded; they sent a termination letter to Partington dated November 20.

Several prominent YA authors have rallied in support of Partington, including Philbrick, Chris Crutcher, Christoper Paul Curtis and Jane Yolen. Philbrick even went so far as to contact the school superintendent, offering to come and speak at the school (at his own expense) and donate copies of the book. Philbrick said he received a reply "almost immediately" and that his offer was turned down "in no uncertain terms."

Philbrick's book was named a 2001 ALA Best Book for Young Adults.