The objections to “33 Snowfish” centered on its inclusion of profanity, sexual activities, child prostitution, and hate speech, with the objecting party questioning the book’s appropriateness for a school setting. The committee carefully weighed whether the content was pornographic, depicted sexual conduct, was unsuited to student needs, or was inappropriate for the grade level. Each point was individually voted on by the committee members, leading to the decision to keep the book accessible for grades nine and above.

Similarly, “Strange Truth” faced scrutiny over its content, which was described by the objector as containing obscene sexual activities, sexual assault, nudity, profanity, derogatory terms, alcohol and drug use by minors, and suicide. In a passionate argument, the objector highlighted the importance of maintaining an age-appropriate collection in schools that does not expose students to adult content. The book was characterized as having “endless sexual commentary and scenarios” and being “repugnant and infuriating.”

Despite the strong objections, the committee proceeded to deliberate on the book’s content, considering the balance between educational value and potential harm. The discussion among committee members revealed varying perspectives, with some advocating for the retention of the book based on its literary merit and relevance to contemporary issues, while others were concerned about the appropriateness of the subject matter for a school library. In the end, the committee members cast their votes, resulting in the decision that “Strange Truth” was also appropriate for grades nine and up.

The meetings focused on the school district’s responsibility to curate a library collection that aligns with educational standards while also respecting the concerns of parents and the broader community. The objecting parties, in both cases, called for the committee to exercise common sense, a moral compass, and courage in their decisions to protect childhood innocence and uphold parental rights.

Throughout the discussions, the committee members were reminded of their duty to acknowledge their participation and were instructed to return any materials related to the meeting.