APS votes against banning death book

ALBUQUERQUE, NM - An Albuquerque Public School committee unanimously voted against banning a book about killing people after one APS mother filed a formal complaint.

The book , Death Note, is about a high school student who finds a magic notebook allowing him kill whoever he wants by simply writing their name on a piece of paper called a death note.

The character uses the death notes to kill criminals and bad guys, hoping to make the world a better place.

"I just don't think it is something our kids should have access to," APS mother Peggy Salazar said.

She wants the book banned from Volcano Vista High School where her son is a student.

Salazar fears the book could promote violence and killing to students.

Death Note was banned in Chinese schools after students wrote mock death notes about their teachers.

Similar notes have surfaced in this country too.

"Killing is just not something we should put out there for our kids to read in this way," Salazar said.

Salazar stood before an APS committee Thursday to express her concerns about the book.

It was the first time in five years APS held a hearing to consider banning a book.

The seven member committee voted to let Death Note survive in APS libraries.

Committee member Tom Genne said he does not think the the book promotes violence.

The book has value to students, he added.

"High school age kids do grapple with questions about justice and morality," Genne said. "and whether civilization, or the societies of which they are a part of, are making good decisions."

The APS associate superintendent will have the final say on banning the book.

The libraries at Valley High and Atrisco Heritage Academy also carry Death Note.