Mum furious after daughter, 12, sent home from school with book containing 'explicit' gay sex phrases

Melissa McDonald says her daughter brought home a copy of ‘This Book Is Gay’, which includes a ‘cheat sheet’ of slang sexual phrases and definitions

      Mum Melissa McDonald was furious her young daughter was sent home with the x-rated bookA mum was left furious after her daughter was sent home from school with a children’s book containing a ‘graphic’ glossary of sexual terms.
Melissa McDonald says the 12-year-old brought home a copy of ‘ This Book Is Gay ’, which includes a ‘cheat sheet’ of slang sexual phrases and their definitions.
Manchester Health Academy, which ran a book signing with the author Juno Dawson, has apologised to parents claiming a very small number of ‘age inappropriate books’ were sold ‘without authorisation’.
But the author has defended the international bestseller, which she claims has helped far more people than it has offended, 

The book contains a ‘graphic’ glossary of sexual terms 

The writer visited the Wythenshawe school on Tuesday to speak to Year 7 pupils and sign copies of her latest book, Margot and Me.
During the session copies of ‘This Book Is Gay’ were also sold to a small number of children.
Melissa, from Northern Moor, said the content is explicit and totally unsuitable for a child as young as her daughter.
She said: “My daughter loves books so I gave her the money to buy the book. But instead of Margot and Me she’s been sold this book.
“There’s an A to Z of everything mentioned in the book. It’s meant for 18 year olds.
“I got a phone call at 5pm from the school saying ‘you need to remove this, there has been a human error’.
“This could scar a child for life. What’s in this book is absolutely disgusting. I’m absolutely shook up.”
Melissa said the school took away several copies of the book but her daughter managed to bring a copy home because she had left school early.
The mum-of-three added: “I’m disgusted. It’s really explicit.”

Manchester Health Academy has apologised to parents claiming a very small number of ‘age inappropriate books’ were sold ‘without authorisation’ 

However Juno has defended the book saying she felt a responsibility to explain and debunk myths around sexuality .
The former teacher said ‘This Book Is Gay’ aims to provide sexual education to young LGBTQ students and those who seek to understand the community.
She added that the book - which has been translated into 12 languages - is aimed at children aged 13 and over, however she is against ‘rating’ books.
“I get letters of thanks every day from young people who feel the book has helped them to come to terms with their identity and to come out to loved ones,” she said.
“I think we have to question why Sex Ed is suitable for 10 year-olds but same-sex Sex Ed is ‘inappropriate’.
“I’ve visited nine schools this week and met about 2000 12, 13, 14 and 15 year-olds. It’s been wonderful. The booksellers strive very hard to make sure the right books go to the right students.
“It’s certainly not my intention to upset, only inform. LGBTQ pupils get very poor personal, social and health education provision in schools. I believe This Book Is Gay has helped many, many more people than it’s offended.”