Banned books in Florida: Escambia schools review two books that explore sexual abuse

There are now 183 books being challenged from libraries in Escambia County District Schools. The school board is chipping away at the list slowly but surely, with four books banned, four saved to keep in circulation and two more slated to go before the school board this week.

What books will Escambia School Board review this week?

This week, two more books are up for the school board’s vote on Thursday, “Push” by Sapphire and “Lucky” by Alice Sebold.

The books were already reviewed by the District Materials Review Committee, which recommended to keep both books in their school libraries.

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Why were books "Push" and "Lucky" challenged?

“Push” by Sapphire

Push is a story about a teenage girl, Claireece Precious Jones, who has been impregnated twice by her father and later learns she has contracted AIDS from him. She longs to be in school and learn despite her circumstances. A teacher takes Precious under her wing and helps her become literate and process her own emotions and traumatic experiences through journaling. The book was adapted into the film “Precious” in 2009, which was rated R.

The book was initially challenged by Northview High School language arts teacher Vicki Baggett on Sept. 2, 2022 for its graphic sexual content. Baggett stated she thinks the purpose of the book is sexual introduction. The District Committee made a decision on Feb. 28, 2023 to keep the book in high school libraries. There were four committee members that supported keeping the book in high school libraries, while one committee member voted to remove the book from all school libraries.

“This book is absolutely realistic and shows the inner dialogue of a teenager that has suffered unimaginable heartbreak and abuse,” the committee’s report stated. “Partly, this story works because it is told from the first-person perspective of Precious, an illiterate, overweight young Black woman. From the first pages, the reader is transported into her mind, her views, and the inner workings of her feelings regarding herself and her relationship to the world around her.”

The committee decided that the book is appropriate for a more mature audience, such as 11th- and 12th-graders, as some students in the district are in a similar situation as the book’s narrator.

Baggett submitted an appeal to the school board over the committee’s decision on March 10, 2023.

The decision will go before the school board on Thursday.

“Lucky” by Alice Sebold

Lucky is an autobiographical story of the author’s rape as a freshman at Syracuse University that occurred while she was walking home from a party. She was then tasked with adjusting back to college life after what had happened to her, eventually encountering her alleged rapist again, leading to his arrest. The man was found guilty but later exonerated.

The book was initially challenged by Baggett on Sept. 2, 2022 for its graphic sexual content, violence and language. The District Committee made a decision on March 6, 2023 to keep the book in high school libraries with a 3-2 vote.

Despite the violent acts committed in the book, the committee found merit in empowering women to share their stories of sexual assault.

“While no one ever wants to hear of sexual assault occurring, it’s sadly quite common and important for young women to understand how to protect and speak up for themselves,” the committee reported. “This memoir brings light to a major issue in the world and that is awareness for victims of sexual and physical assault. It also discusses the trials and tribulations of a young woman fighting for justice in the court of law. It brings forth the flaws in the system of law and the doubts that the people, sworn to protect citizens, had in a young woman of that time.”

Baggett submitted an appeal to the school board over the committee’s decision on March 30, 2023, stating that the book is in violation of FS 847.012 of offering obscene and pornographic material to minors.

When did book challenges begin in Escambia County?

The school library purge was prompted in the fall of 2022 when Northview High School language arts teacher Vicki Baggett challenged over 100 books for inappropriate content. Similar challenges are underway at various schools throughout the country.

Library books are for student self-selection and are not being used for classroom instruction. Parents also can “opt-in” to allow their children to read books from a restricted section of school libraries containing challenged materials.

Since Baggett’s requests, others have followed suit in adding titles to the list. A full list of those books in question can be found on the district website.

What happens after a book is challenged?

Once a book is requested for reconsideration, the book is reviewed by the District Materials Review Committee. The people that make up the committee varies for each book to include a diverse group of opinions and experiences, and there is currently a waitlist for certain roles. The committee reads the book, cover to cover, not solely the sections in question.

All meetings for the committee’s discussion can be observed by the public and are posted on the district’s school calendar on its website.

The committee comes to decision on whether the book should be allowed for all grade levels in the district, certain grade levels, or none at all.

Once the committee places their vote, the decision is sent to the person who made the initial reconsideration request. If unsatisfied with the committee’s decision, an appeal is made, and the issue then goes before the school board.

Each board member has access to the book in questions, the committee’s notes and decision, professional reviews of the books including any awards or recognition it has received and the complaints made against it.

The board holds a public forum to hear input from the community to help inform their decision.

A full list of reconsiderations can be accessed on the Escambia County Public Schools website under the Media Services tab under “Reconsideration of Educational Media.”

What books have been banned in Escambia County?

The first book to be nixed from the list was "Perks of Being a Wallpaper" by Stephen Chbosky. The book was challenged by Northview High School language arts teacher Vicki Baggett for having extreme sexual content, bestiality, and language. The book was originally suggested by the review committee to be kept around as an optional novel study for 12th grade language arts students, but the school board voted on Nov. 1, 2022, not to keep it.

"All Boys Aren’t Blue," is a manifesto by George M. Johnson reflecting on the experiences of growing up as a Black queer boy and eventually finding his identity. The book was particularly scrutinized for detailing two sexual encounters and an instance of sexual assault. The review committee recommended to keep the book in high school libraries, however, the school board voted on Feb. 20 to ban it from the district.

"And Tango Makes Three" is a story about two male penguins raising a baby chick named "Tango" in the Central Park Zoo. The story was inspired by true events. Baggett objected to the book, stating it had an "LGBTQ agenda using penguins." Despite the committee's recommendation to keep the book in elementary, middle and high school libraries, the school board voted on Feb. 20 to ban the book from the district altogether.

"When Aidan Became a Brother" by Kyle Lukoff is a children's picture book depicting a transgender boy preparing to welcome a little sibling into the family. However, Baggett claimed it was an "LGBTQ introduction." Despite the committee's recommendation to keep the book in all elementary, middle and high school library, the school board voted on Feb. 20 to ban it from the district.

What books have been saved after challenge request?

"The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison follows the life of young black girl after the Great Depression and her struggle with combatting racism and identity. The book was challenged by Baggett for "graphic rape scenes, pedophilia glorified and violent acts." The committee recommended to keep the book in all high school libraries. However, the school board voted on March 20 to only allow 11th and 12th grade students to access the title.

"Drama” by Raina Telgemeier is a graphic novel about a middle school theatre lover who works on her school's theatre production crew. She encounters a friend who questions his sexual identity. The book was challenged by Baggett for "indoctrination of LGBTQ" age-appropriateness and relevancy. The committee recommended to keep the book in elementary, middle and high school libraries. The school board voted on March 20 to allow middle and high school students to access the title.

"The Nowhere Girls" by Amy Reed is a story about three young women who create an underground feminist club to protest the rape of a former student at their high school. The book was challenged by Baggett for "graphic sexual content." The committee recommended to keep the book available for high school students. The school board voted on March 20 to keep the book available for 11th and 12th grade students to read.

"New Kid" by Jerry Craft is a graphic novel about a Black boy who experiences culture shock when attending a private school along with experiences of racism microaggressions. The book was challenged by Baggett for "race-baiting" and "anti-whiteness." The committee recommended the book be available in elementary, middle and high school libraries. The school board voted on March 20 to keep the book available for middle and high school students.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Florida banned books: Escambia schools eye two books on sexual abuse