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Fla. Mom Holds Racy Gossip Girl Books Hostage

She's had them checked out since 2008

By Sarah Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted May 7, 2010 9:17 AM CDT

(Newser) – A Florida mom is waging a one-woman war on the Gossip Girl books. Determined to keep her teenage daughter—and everyone else—from reading the racy fare, she's had them checked out of her local library since 2008, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Tina Harden says the books' references to sex and drugs are "inappropriate for minors," and she's not returning them: "If I turn them in, they will be put back into circulation and they'll be available for more young girls to read." Her fine so far: $85.

Harden says she's not seeking to ban the books outright, but she wants them to bear warning labels and be unavailable to minors. The library has agreed to put the books in the adult section but won't try to keep them away from kids. "If we denied access to this particular title, it would be censoring," a library official said.

In this image released by The CW, a print advertisement for Gossip Girl is shown.
In this image released by The CW, a print advertisement for "Gossip Girl" is shown.   (AP Photo/The CW)
Actress Taylor Momsen attends a party to celebrate Gossip Girl costume designer Eric Daman at Henri Bendel New York on Aug. 24, 2008.
Actress Taylor Momsen attends a party to celebrate "Gossip Girl" costume designer Eric Daman at Henri Bendel New York on Aug. 24, 2008.   (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
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The whole book was filled with everything I don't want my daughter to do or be. - Tina Harden

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 18 comments
Twiny
May 9, 2010 11:20 AM CDT
If she is willfully not returning these books, then it is theft. She needs to have her uptight, censoring ass tossed into the slammer. That Library should file a criminal complaint against her.
paul123
May 8, 2010 12:11 PM CDT
help me out people, because I've never heard of Gossip Girl, but is it any worse than the romance novels that are available?
JGirl
May 8, 2010 4:36 AM CDT
surprise surprise. gossip girl is smut. but hey, smut is out there everywhere ya look. if you think you're protecting anyone from stealing a few books from the library you're on glue.
 

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