Eleanor and Park

I got this book at the library because I requested it.  When I opened it and started to read I had to ask myself why I wanted to read this book.  Obviously its not for adults.  Eleanor and Park is a book written by Rainbow Rowell for teenagers.  The book starts off on a school bus going to high school.  A new student, Eleanor, gets on the bus and no one lets her sit down.  The bus driver yells at her to sit down but all the other kids ignore her and won't make room for her.  Sounds like a terrible moment.  High school can be tough on students who don't have a social network established.  Why would I want to read a book like this?  Then I remembered.  Eleanor and Park was a controversial book in my school district.  We had this group called the Parent Action League and they wanted the book banned.  The Parent Action League is a very squeaky wheel and they even got a planned visit by the author cancelled at the local library!  And get this.  Her visit to our local library was cancelled during Banned Books Week.  Ironic much?  Luckily for all of us, the book was not banned.  It was reviewed by a committee the principal put together of students, parents and teachers and was deemed appropriate for high school students.  I wanted to read this book for myself because of all the controvery.  Eleanor and Park is a story about two high school students.  One is named Eleanor and the other is named Park.  Eleanor and Park are good kids who make good decisions.  They are kind to others, thoughtful, intelligent and doing their best in the circumstances they are in.  They don't use drugs.  They are not bullies.  They try to be kind to their parents.  Yes, the f word is used about 227 times in the story but the story is about two good kids.  I don't understand why an adult would want this book banned.