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Something to Tell

Author: Ann Alma
Publication date: 1987
Genre: Fiction 

About the Work


Challenges in Canada

2000 — At the beginning of a Children’s Book Week tour of schools and libraries in Prince Edward Island, the author was told that she should not read from this book, one of her three titles for young readers.

Objection — The tour coordinator said P.E.I. students were not mature enough for the book, which tells the story of a girl who has been subjected to sexual touching by the headmistress of her school.

Update — It turned out that a child had made an accusation of sexual touching in one of the schools Alma was to visit. After agreeing to the ban for the first day of her week-long tour, Alma decided to ignore the prohibition, and teachers in schools she visited subsequently thanked her for including the book in her presentations.


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A story for young readers about inappropriate touching and what to do about it.