About one-fourth of the student population at Norwood High School -- roughly 20 of the 96 students registered -- staged a sit-in Friday morning to protest the banning of the book "Bless Me, Ultima" at the school.

They sat in the middle of the gym floor, talked amongst themselves and read their own copies of Rudolfo Anaya's critically acclaimed novel until school was over.

On the recommendation of a parent, Superintendent Bob Conder banned the book for its profanity, even though it's on First Lady Laura Bush's recommended list of reading books for all ages, and even though he admits he has never actually read "Bless Me, Ultima."

Before the sit-in, Conder called an impromptu assembly during the first period, where he admitted his decision to ban the book was a "little hasty" after the students complained about why the ban occurred without their input and without their parents' knowledge, the Norwood Post reported.

Conder admitted that there is currently no policy for accepting or rejecting books as curriculum in place at the school district even though he had previously claimed the teacher never had the book properly approved by the school board, and despite the fact he had approved of all materials purchased by the school district, Norwood Post editor Margo Roberts said.

Conder also told the students that the teacher had lied in the first letter that was sent out, stating that he approved the book.

The teacher who assigned the book was forced to write a letter of apology to all of the student's parents. The letter the teacher initially sent out to the parents of all the freshman notified them about the use of the book, which "deals with some intense spiritual questions, and it also contains some adult language," Roberts said. The letter also stated that if any parents had any concerns, or if they wanted to preview the book before it was used, they could contact the teacher.

As of Friday, there had been only one complaint received from one parent -- the same person who requested possession of the books, so that they might burn it, Roberts reported.

It is not known if the book was destroyed.

Conder told the students that that this is not a censorship issue, but a sponsorship issue.

"I am protecting you from a mandatory assignment, that should not have been forced on you," he had said, comparing the language in the book to profanity that is forbidden on T-shirts, and hats, which is against school policy, and felt that it was a double standard to allow one and not the other.

Meanwhile, a professor in the Department of Chicano Studies at Metropolitan State College of Denver is offering to pay $1,000 to the Norwood School District to retrieve two dozen copies that were banned.

Professor Luis Torres said he's trying to rescue copies of "Bless Me, Ultima" because the book is a treasured tome central to Chicano culture.

Anaya is widely considered the founder of modern Chicano literature, and is a professor emeritus of English at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. The students have invited him to the school to visit the school.

Norwood is about 33 miles southwest of Montrose, in southwestern Colorado.

Additional Resources:

See Laura's Bush's "Top 10" Reading List
Read More About "Bless Me Ultima