FCPS reinstates challenged books

Books without Boundaries

Books under review are reinstated in FCPS libraries

MADELEINE STIGALL FEATURES EDITOR | MAYA AMMAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

For years, FCPS libraries have provided students with reading materials they can learn from and feel a connection to. Recently, libraries have become the subject of controversy due to books some parents have deemed inappropriate for school. “Our librarians try to find books that kids can see themselves in,” Principal Ellen Reilly said. “That’s our goal for our library: that [students] can go in there, find the book that they enjoy and take it with them.”

Following parent complaints about sexual content in the graphic novels Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe and Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison at a school board meeting on Sept. 23, the books were temporarily removed from FCPS libraries. After a twomonth review period, both books were determined to be appropriate for high school readers and were reinstated.

“[Lawn Boy] is an accessible examination of race, class, socioeconomic struggle and sexual identity,” wrote the FCPS committee that reviewed the book, which consisted of a high school administrator, two high school librarians, two parents of high school students, two high school students and a specialist from the Office of Equity and Family Engagement. “It is an uplifting and humanizing depiction of navigating through setbacks with resiliency to reach goals and will resonate with students.”

Although McLean’s library does not have either of these books in its collection due to a lack of requests for them, students can access them through the FCPS interlibrary loan system. McLean head librarian Joan McCarthy said she sees the value in offering students material they can identify with and learn from.

“[Students] can read [Lawn Boy] and say, ‘I’m not alone,’” McCarthy said. “Or through the books, [students can] see what [other people] go through.”

Gender Queer: A Memoir offers students a unique perspective about the struggles some have with gender identity.

“I’m not going to deny that there’s graphic content,” English teacher Anna Caponetti said. “I’d say it’s not the majority of the book. The majority of the book is beautiful panels about self-exploration and discovery.”

Some students at McLean believe that the censorship is focused too much on silencing LGBTQ narratives.

“I don’t agree with the book ban movement. It makes no sense how hard some people try to hide any type of information relating the LGBTQ+ community to young people,” sophomore Valentina Sedan said. “Hiding it from them won’t change anything because it’s a part of the world.”

Members of the community attended the Dec. 2 school board meeting to voice their opinions on the decision to reinstate Lawn Boy and Gender Queer: A Memoir into FCPS school libraries. Most community members and school board members who commented on the issue at the meeting said they support the decision, but some dissenters continue to flag more books.

“We’ve received information from different parents or school administrators that people have expressed the intent to submit additional challenges,” said Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services Noel Klimenko, who makes the final decision on challenged books after being advised by a committee of staff and students. “We have not actually received any as of yet.”

FCPS’s lifting of the temporary ban on these books, announced Nov. 23, makes clear its support for diverse literature for students.

“I want students to be comfortable,” McCarthy said. “If they want to read any book, [I want them to] feel that they can read it without our comments.”

Even if the LGBTQ-focused books had been pulled from shelves permanently, Sedan points out the topics of these books would still very much be a part of life.

“The world is not gonna stop being themselves just so your child won’t know about it,” Sedan said. “It is important to educate people on these subjects from an early age so they understand that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with loving whoever you love or being yourself.”

IF THEY WANT TO READ ANY BOOK, [I WANT THEM TO] FEEL THAT THEY CAN READ IT WITHOUT OUR COMMENTS.”

- JOAN MCCARTHY MCLEAN HEAD LIBRARIAN

FCPS Book Censorship Timeline

Sept. 23

FCPS parent has a heated argument with school board regarding two graphic novels, Lawn Boy and Gender Queer: A Memoir

Nov. 23

FCPS decides to reinstate Lawn Boy and Gender Queer: A Memoir,the two books under review, back into all high school libraries

Oct. 7

Sept. 24

Two protests take place outside a school board meeting: one against the school board/the challenged books & one Books are temporarily removed from school libraries until organized by the Pride Liberation to defend queer literature committees of staff, students & parents can review them to make a recommendation to the assistant superintendent of instructional services