students in the keller independent school district outside fort worth, texas, returned to school on wednesday. But instead of focusing on his return, much of the attention was focused on an email that was sent the day before, instructing school staff to pull all copies of a list of more than 40 books from classrooms. and school libraries.
Retired books include the graphic novel adaptation of Anne Frank’s Diary, all versions of the Bible, and numerous books with lgbtq+ themes or characters. The school board did not say why the Bible and Anne Frank’s book were removed, but parents objected, according to the list.
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The books on the list have been questioned in the district in the past and while some have been reviewed and put back on the shelves, all must undergo another review under new criteria set by the school board, the school district said in a statement. declaration to npr.
“At this time, the Keller ISD administration is asking our campus librarians and staff to review the books that were challenged last year to determine if they meet the requirements of the new policy,” he said.
“all of the books included in tuesday’s email have been included on keller isd’s book challenge list for the past year. books that meet the new guidelines will be returned to libraries as soon as confirmed that comply with the new policy. .”
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Some of the new school board members were endorsed by Patriot Mobile Action, a conservative Christian political action committee, the PAC said in a news release.
How the new policy will work is not entirely clear to parents, they told npr. The Texas Tribune reports that Keller ISD’s new policies are based on a Texas Education Agency model and that ultimately, school board members have the ability to accept or reject any material.
some parents worry about banning books for everyone
laney hawes is a mother of four children in the district ranging from first through ninth grade. she said she understands and agrees with parents who don’t want her children reading age-inappropriate material. but she doesn’t think this is the right way to do it.
“All of our kids are able and capable and ready for different materials,” Hawes said. “Not everyone is cut out for the same thing. I agree with that, and I think those decisions should be made by parents specifically for their own kids. I don’t think certain materials that you don’t fancy are appropriate for your kids as well.” must be withheld from my children.”
hawes is part of a group of parents who have become more involved with the district in recent years. Hawes and another mom, Gretchen Veling, volunteered to be part of the group that reviewed books when given a challenge.
some of the books have already been checked and put back on the shelves as per the previous policy
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Hawes participated in the revision of The Diary of Anne Frank: The Graphic Adaptation, while Veling was in the group that revised Flamer, the semi-autobiographical graphic novel by Mike Curato.
Both books were discussed over the last year by parents, librarians and teachers who chose to keep the books on the shelves. but with the books under review again, there are no guarantees that they will be available to students.
veling said he first became involved with the book review committee when he realized that many of the titles in question were lgbtq+ books. she said that both of her sons are openly gay and that when they want to read a book, she usually buys it for them. but her concern is for the children who might not have the same support at home.
“If they don’t have access to a book that reflects who they are, does it still make them feel like they’re in a homophobic area? So I started speaking up because of that,” Veling said. “it’s for all the other kids who won’t have access to it, who really need access to it.”
keller isd did not say if there was a timetable for when the book reviews would be completed. But in the meantime, Hawes said she believes the school board will continue to implement conservative Christian policies.
“They really, really want to attack our curriculum and make sure that no social-emotional learning gets into our curriculum,” Hawes said, adding that there are two other school board seats up for election next May.
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