- FL
- St. Johns County
- 2/26/24
- 02/26/2024
- 23 Minutes
- Noteworthy
- Highly Noteworthy
- Routine
Overview: In a recent St. Johns County Schools meeting, a portion of the discussion centered on an objection to the book “The Great Cow Race” by Jeff Smith, which had been raised by a parent concerned about its appropriateness for first-grade students. The committee ultimately deemed the book suitable for grades prek and up, despite the concerns expressed.
- FL
- St. Johns County
- 2/12/24
- 02/12/2024
- 39 Minutes
- Noteworthy
- Highly Noteworthy
- Routine
Overview: In a recent meeting of the St. Johns County Schools, significant time was dedicated to the review of objections to two books, “The Lovely Bones” by Alice Sebold and “The Sun and Her Flowers” by Rupi Kaur, based on concerns that their content may not be suitable for school-age children. The meeting, facilitated by Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Don Sapp, involved discussions centered around Florida law House Bill 1069, which restricts books in school libraries from containing certain content. Despite the debates, the committee did not reach a majority decision on “The Lovely Bones,” while they recommended “The Sun and Her Flowers” be retained for grades nine and up.
- FL
- St. Johns County
- 2/5/24
- 02/05/2024
- 51 Minutes
- Noteworthy
- Highly Noteworthy
- Routine
Overview: The St. Johns County Schools convened recently to address objections to controversial books within district libraries, with a particular focus on “Freedom Writers Diary” by Erin Gruwell and “Slaughterhouse 5” by Kurt Vonnegut. The District Library Book Objection Committee, adhering to Florida statutes and the Sunshine Law, engaged in a review process to determine the suitability of these books for students, considering their content and the appropriateness for specific grade levels.
- NJ
- Bergen County
- 1/25/24
- 01/25/2024
- 176 Minutes
- Noteworthy
- Highly Noteworthy
- Routine
Overview: In a recent session, the Westwood School Board tackled a series of issues, from an discussion over the presence of certain books in the middle school media center to the ongoing search for a new superintendent. The board also grappled with the implications of policy 5756, which has been a subject of contention.
- NJ
- Hunterdon County
- 1/30/24
- 01/30/2024
- 257 Minutes
- Noteworthy
- Highly Noteworthy
- Routine
Overview: In a recent North Hunterdon-Voorhees School Board meeting, the community witnessed an discussion over the censorship and potential banning of books within school libraries, spotlighting a clash between concerns over explicit content and the defense of educational resources. The discussion was underscored by public comments regarding the presence of sexually explicit material in educational settings, the rights of students to access diverse literature, and the support for the school librarian who has been targeted by a campaign of harassment.