An award-winning book about a Palestinian girl whose family suffers at the hands of Israeli settlers will remain in Toronto schools after a review by board staff found it “does not cross the line into literature promoting hate or animosity towards others.”

B’Nai Brith Canada had complained The Shepherd’s Granddaughter is “vehemently anti-Israel” and had asked that the book — currently part of a province-wide reading program for Grades 7 and 8 students — be removed and was disappointed with the Toronto District School Board’s decision.

“We certainly acknowledge that the main story line in this novel is presented from a Palestinian-sympathetic point of view,” Lloyd McKell, executive officer of student and community equity for the school board, said in a letter to trustees on Wednesday.

“However, our professional staff assessment from our critical review of this novel is that Grade 7 and 8 readers are capable of deriving positive educational and social value from this book without developing destructive attitudes towards people ... in the current Middle East conflict.”

Teachers are being encouraged to use the book to spark discussion on bias and to encourage critical thinking.

The controversy speaks to the difficulties boards run into as they try to serve a diverse population, many who come to Canada from opposing sides of international conflicts.

McKell said the books that often produce the best opportunities “are the ones that challenge readers into thinking about a particular point of view being expressed. It’s up to us as educators, as teachers, to ensure that different points of view are reflected in classroom discussion.

“I don’t think it serves us any useful purpose by shielding any of our students from controversy,” he added. “The world is full of controversial issues ... and it does help to have students in our schools who reflect diversity, who bring different perspectives to issues based on their life experiences.”

Anita Bromberg, B’Nai Brith’s legal director, said the board’s decision “doesn’t hit the mark” and its solution relies on teachers who may have their own biases.

She also accused the board of on one hand deciding that Israel apartheid activities have no place in its schools, but “at the base of those activities are the very type of propaganda you see in this book.”

The Shepherd’s Granddaughter has been in 138 Toronto public school libraries since last fall, and the board says no one has launched a formal complaint.

However, parent Brian Henry sent a letter to the board, as well as the provincial education ministry, which prompted the informal review of the book by McKell and a team of experts.

McKell said they read the book “carefully and dispassionately” and felt the book was full of themes for teachers to explore, including multigenerational families, religion and gender stereotypes, and asks teachers to discuss issues of bias and prejudice.

And, taking a cue from York Region’s public school board, “we came up with the conclusion that under the appropriate guidance from teachers” the book should remain.

The Shepherd’s Granddaughter is not part of the curriculum, but is on the list for the Ontario Library Association’s Forest of Reading program, which about 70 schools are taking part in.

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It was named book of the year by the Canadian Library Association.

Publisher Patsy Aldana could not be reached for comment, but in a letter to the board said an Israeli publisher is looking into buying Israeli rights, “so incensed has he been by the attacks he has read.”