March 8, 2005 3:55 p.m.

A book ban one school system has pulled a it because they say its controversial. The Limestone County School Board voted to remove the novel.

The book is called "Whale Talk." It's written by a popular young adult novelist, but some say the book's language is too offensive for children.

Students who attend Limestone County schools won't find the book on library shelves anymore. Chris Crutcher's "Whale Talk" was banned from the school's reading list.

"I seen someone check it out of the library. She said he had to have his parents permission to check it out because it is racist with strong language and violence," Tericka Thomason said.

But Limestone County Superintendent Barry Carroll, who fought to keep the novel on school shelves, says the message of the book is more important than the language used.

"I thought there was a value to the book. I enjoyed reading the book although I'm not in favor of those type words. The type of things in the book were offensive but I read past that to get to the meaning of the book," Carroll said.

The most offensive part of the book is found on page 68 and 69. There, a four and a half year old girl of mixed race is working in a play therapy session, mirroring what her life is like living with a racist stepfather and a mother who won't protect her. It's what is written in bold print that got Crutcher's book pulled.

"I wish the book had been written without those words in the book. If you know anything about Chris Crutcher, you understand he writes in certain ways, language of the people."

But should Crutcher's meaning be taken as offensive or freedom of expression? We asked folks in Ardmore what they thought.

"People will write what they want to, write about how they feel about stuff. Everyone is entitled to there opinion."

"Kids hear that kind of stuff anyway. It doesn't matter if you hear it in a book. You'll find out anyway."

Crutcher made this statement on his web site about the book being banned: "Whale Talk is a tough book, but it is also a compassionate book, about telling the truth and about redemption. When we censor these stories, we censor the kids themselves."

The school board says they have a policy to follow when a book is being questioned.