MERIDIAN, Idaho (CBS2) — West Ada School District is pulling 10 books from its library this week, first reported by Idaho Education News.
The district says a District Administrative Review was conducted on Dec. 12 by a team of District personnel and utilized the Book/Learning Resource Alignment Guide, professional reviews/ratings, content excerpts, circulation stats and considered Meridian Public Library placement.
"While West Ada School District Librarian perspectives are valued, this particular committee was composed of dedicated individuals committed to the responsible and inclusive curation of our library resources," the district says in an email to CBS2. "It is crucial to acknowledge that, in the formation of this committee, efforts were made to include librarians from the West Ada community. Several librarians were approached to serve on the committee, but all opted out, declining to participate in the process."
The district clarified books under consideration for removal do not fall under children's literature but represent works of a more explicit nature.
"We are steadfast in ensuring that the materials available align with both age-appropriate and intellectual standards. This discerning approach underscores our commitment to fostering a space that is simultaneously stimulating and responsible," the district says. "In this commitment, we strive to cultivate an environment that fosters intellectual growth while maintaining a space that is respectful, inclusive, and harmonious with the core values of our community."
The review determined the titles below do not align with the district's program philosophy or the selection criteria for learning resources and should be removed from circulation at all schools in the district.
- A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard
- Collected Poems 1947-1980 by Allen Ginsberg
- Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
- Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas
- Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
- The Handmaid's Tale: The Graphic Novel by Margaret Atwood and adapted by Renee Nault
- The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur
- Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen
- Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
- You: A Novel by Caroline Kepnes
The district based its decision on ratings from Booklooks.org. Other books being considered for removal are:
- The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold
- Beautiful by Amy Reed
- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
- Boy Toy by Barry Lyga
- Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman
- The Carnival at Bray by Jessie Ann Foley
- A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin
- Collateral by Ellen Hopkins
- Damned by Chuck Palahniuk
- Damsel by Elana Arnold
- The Duff: a Novel by Kody Keplinger
- Forever... by Judy Blume
- Forever For a Year by B.T. Gottfred
- The Freedom Writers Diary by The Freedom Writers with Erin Gruwell
- The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
- The Handsome Girl and Her Beautiful Boy by B.T. Gottfred
- Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
- Identical by Ellen Hopkins
- Infandous by Elana K. Arnold
- The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
- Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
- Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian
- Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott
- Man O' War by Cory McCarthy
- Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
- One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
- Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
- People Kill People by Ellen Hopkins
- Perfect by Ellen Hopkins
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
- Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
- Shine by Lauren Myracle
- Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
- Storm and Fury: Harbinger Book 1 by Jennifer L. Armentrout
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