16 Books Face Removal From Schools, Group Considers Them Pornographic

POLK COUNTY, FL — Two book review committees in Polk County have so far reviewed six of 16 school library books that the group County Citizens Defending Freedom contends may contain pornographic content and harmful material for children to read.

The list of books under review (found below) contains themes from the aftermath of 9/11 on a child to race and LGBTQ+ issues.

"Beloved" by Toni Morrison and "Nineteen Minutes" by Jodi Picoult are the most recent books to have been reviewed by the two committees, which voted to keep both books in Polk County public high schools.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, 15 members of one committee voted to keep "Beloved" in high school media centers, while 14 members of a second committee voted to keep "Nineteen Minutes" in high schools.

A retired director of PCPS' pre-kindergarten program and a committee member, Mattie Freidt, is the only one who voted for the removal of "Beloved" from middle school libraries and high school libraries.

"Beloved" tells the story of Margaret Gardner, an enslaved woman who escaped to Ohio from a plantation. Gardner tried to kill all her children to prevent them from experiencing the hardships of slavery when a slave hunter broke into their Ohio home to return her and the children to a plantation.

“I enjoyed reading it in that it instructed me, instructed my heart," Freidt told the Ledger. "But the themes of rape and violence, sexual abuse and the torture I believe are not appropriate for students under 18."

Dana Hamilton, an English teacher at Lake Gibson Middle School, told the newspaper the book illustrated slavery's harm and buried suffering, while also telling a story of forgiveness and love.

Members of County Citizens Defending Freedom raised concerns with Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Frederick Heid asking him to remove the books from shelves of local school libraries. The group said its objections, outlined below, meet the definition of pornography under Florida State Statutes 847.001 and 847.012: "Any book, pamphlet, magazine, printed matter however reproduced, or sound recording that contains any matter defined in s. 847.001, explicit and detailed verbal descriptions or narrative accounts of sexual excitement, or sexual conduct and that is harmful to minors."

On its website, the group said it "recognizes that these books have been written by award-winning authors and produced by renowned publishers, however the issue at hand is the content of the books in question describing in graphic detail several sensitive topics including sexual assault, rape, failure to address mental illness as a cause of suicide, racism, incest, child molestation, offensive language, sexually explicit material, bestiality, necrophilia, infanticide, and violence."

In late January, Heid removed the 16 books from middle and high school libraries for a review of each book by two committees to decide if they are inappropriate for children under 18. Each committee is made up of 17 members that include educators, parents, residents and a rotating group of students.

At the Polk County School Board meeting on April 26, the school board is scheduled to vote on the status of the books.

Books Under Review Following Removal Request

• “Two Boys Kissing” by David Levithan - "Boys, their friends and families evaluate the changing nature of feelings, behavior and this crazy thing called love under the watchful eyes of a Greek chorus of a generation of men lost to AIDS."
• “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini - "The unlikely friendship between a wealthy boy and the son of his father's servant."
• “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” by Jonathan Safran Foer - "Nine-year-old Oskar Schell (tries) to find the lock that matches a mysterious key that belonged to his father who died in the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11."
• “Thirteen Reasons Why” by Jay Asher - "Hannah's voice tells (Clay) that there are 13 reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why."
• “The Vincent Boys” by Abbi Glines - "Get seduced by a sizzling account of attraction and betrayal in this previously self-published phenomenon."

• “It’s Perfectly Normal” by Robie Harris and illustrated by Michael Emberley - "Providing accurate and up-to-date answers to nearly every imaginable question, from conception and puberty to birth control, (abortion), and AIDS."
• “Real Live Boyfriends” by E. Lockhart - "Finds Ruby Oliver as neurotic and hyperverbal as ever as she interviews her friends for a documentary on love and popularity and while doing so turns up some uncomfortable truths."
• “George” by Alex Gino - "When people look at Melissa, they think they see a boy named George. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl."
• “I am Jazz” by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings - "The story of a transgender child based on the real-life experience of Jazz Jennings, who has become a spokesperson for transkids everywhere."
• “Drama” by Raina Telgemeier - (illustrated novel) "Callie loves theater. And while she would totally try out for her middle school's production of Moon over Mississippi, she can't really sing...when two cute brothers enter the picture, things get even crazier!"
• "Nineteen Minutes” by Jodi Picoult - "One final incident of bullying sends Peter over the edge and leads him to commit an act of violence that forever changes the lives of Sterling's residents."
• “More Happy Than Not” by Adam Silvera - "In the months after his father's suicide, it's been tough for 16-year-old Aaron Soto to find happiness again."
• “Beloved” by Toni Morrison - "An unflinching look into the abyss of slavery."
• “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison - "Powerfully examines our obsession with beauty and conformity—and asks questions about race, class, and gender with her characteristic subtly and grace."
• “Tricks” by Ellen Hopkins - "Five troubled teenagers fall into prostitution as they search for freedom, safety, community, family, and love..."
• “Almost Perfect” by Brian Katcher - "Logan acts on his growing feelings for Sage. Moments later, he wishes he never had. Sage finally discloses her big secret: she's actually a boy."

"Anti-Fascist Book Drive" Keeps The Books Circulating In Polk County

In response to removal requests, the Polk Democratic Socialists of America hosted an "Anti-Fascist Book Drive: Get banned books back in the hands of those who need them." The organization provides free downloads of the above-listed books on its website, found here.

Polk Democratic Socialists of America posted on its website, "All of the titles listed deal with LGBTQ characters or issues, sex and sexuality, critical race theory, race, racial inequities, gender and non-traditional family structures and as such have been targeted by proto-fascists groups specifically to limit students access to these materials in the name of freedom. These actions are reprehensible and Polk DSA is committed to ensuring that both students and adults have free access to these books and any others that may be targeted in the future. Information should not be gate kept and students should not be made to feel as though their lived experiences are not represented in their public schools."

Anyone may donate physical copies of the books at any of the Polk Democratic Socialists of America weekly food share locations. The books are also being placed in Free Library locations that are listed on the group's website.

Review Committee Thoughts, Votes On "Beloved" And "Nineteen Minutes"

• One to remove the book from all Polk County Public School libraries.
• Zero to keep the book at all school levels.
• One to keep the book in middle and high school libraries.
• Fifteen to keep the book at the high school level only.

Jodi Picoult's "Nineteen Minutes" received enough votes to stay in high schools — 14 members from a second committee voted to keep it available for students.

Picoult's book explores the loneliness and isolation a 17-year-old high school student, Peter Houghton, feels from enduring years of physical and verbal abuse on campus. His best friend abandons him for the cool crowd that is often responsible for the harassment. Eventually, Houghton snaps and carries out a school mass shooting.

Committee Thoughts About "Nineteen Minutes"

A person only identified as Herbst told The Ledger that "this book deals with school shootings and related causes, such as bullying and social isolation. The sex described in this novel does not add to the major theme of the book, social isolation. The sex scenes and related sexual talk and language is geared more toward young adults and teens..."

A Haines City High School English teacher, Nicole Grassel-Torres, said this book provides multiple perceptions about life situations for the reader, and it teaches compassion.

"I teach high school. If you sat in a cafeteria in a high school, you will hear a lot worse than what's in here and it's exactly what's going on," Grassel-Torres told the outlet. "They do question their sexuality. They are having sex. There is drug abuse, there is bullying, there is sexual violence going on among the teens, as well..."

Results Of Committee Votes "Nineteen Minutes"

• One to remove the book from all libraries.
• Zero to keep the book at ALL school levels.
• Two to keep the book at middle and high school levels.
• Fourteen to keep the book at high school level only.

Committee Overall Decisions About The Four Books Reviewed Prior To "Beloved" And "Nineteen Minutes"

• "The Kite Runner" and "Drama" received committee votes to stay in libraries.
• "George" and "the Vincent Boys" received committee votes to stay in libraries.

No word yet on the committee's voting deadline for all books.