Summer reading assignment creates controversy with some parents

HINGHAM, Mass. -- A summer reading assignment for high school students in Hingham has caused some controversy with some parents.

President Obama's "Dreams from My Father," was listed on the Hingham High School’s summer reading list.

“Some of the parents felt it was, perhaps, a little controversial and that it was carrying a political message for a presidential candidate but others saw it as sort of history in the making,” said Dennis Corcoran, of the Hingham Library.

Kathleen McKenna, a democrat with a son at the high school, is pleased to see the book is required.

“He is the president. He is always going to be the president. I read the book back when he first was a candidate. I think it’s a fantastic book,” McKenna said.

Other parents were not happy with the addition of the book to the reading list.

“Myself, I just feel it’s an unfortunate choice,” said Lynne Powell-Pinto, who heads the Republican committee and has a son in the high school. “It’s not serving the end objective of the community read, which is to talk about books and literature. Instead the conversation is bound to get political. Do you agree? Don’t you agree?”

School leaders compromised in the end, allowing students to pick another memoir if they wished.

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