Seven books have been banned in Alachua County. See what they are.

Nora O'Neill, Gainesville Sun
·2 min read
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Book banning and challenging — one of the most contentious topics in Florida education in recent years — has found its way to Alachua County Public Schools.

At the time of reporting, there have been 18 books challenged in the district since September 2023, seven of which have been removed from school shelves. Numerous challenges — many of which target books on LGBTQ issues — come from members of conservative group Moms for Liberty, as well as Florida Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville.

The district’s new procedures implemented Jan. 1, dictate that book challenges will be reviewed at a public meeting on the district level, nixing the existing school committees entirely. From there, if the district decides the book should be removed, it will move to the school board where a final decision will be made at a meeting where public comment is allowed.

As of last year, Florida statute dictates that if a book is challenged on the basis of sexual content or pornography, it will need to be evaluated and taken off the shelves within five days. What does or does not constitute “sexual content,” is notably vague.

The book debate is among the growing list of anti-LGBTQ policies and laws passed by Florida's Republican-led Legislature, including ordering schools not to allow students to use pronouns other than ones that match their sex assigned at birth and strict rules on bathrooms.

“Read banned books. Black authors matter,” is what members of the Anti Racism group would recite as they walked with hundreds of people and several organizations took part in the MLK Holiday Celebration (40th Anniversary Edition) held Monday afternoon, January 15, 2024 in downtown Gainesville, FL. the MLK Commission of Florida Inc. also celebrated its 40 year of honoring Martin Luther King Jr. The parade began in downtown Gainesville near the Bo Diddley Plaza and ended up at Citizens Field about one and half mile away at the Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center in Gainesville, Fla. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would have celebrated is 95th birthday today if he were still alive. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]2024

More: Changes to Alachua County School District's book banning procedures under scrutiny

What books have been challenged?

A total of 18 books have been challenged, with a few of them facing more than one challenge, according to a spreadsheet created by District Media Specialist Patty Duval.

  • “Beyond Magenta” by Susan Kuklin

  • “Understanding Sexual Identities” by Janice Rench

  • “Being Transgender” by Robert Rodi and Laura Ross

  • “A is for Activist” by Innosanto Nagara

  • “13 Reasons Why” by Jay Asher

  • “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe

  • “It Feels Good to Be Yourself” by Theresa Thorn

  • “Melissa” by Alex Gino

  • “Tricks” by Ellen Hopkins

  • “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George Johnson

  • “My Maddy” by Gayle Pittman

  • “The Duff” by Kody Keplinger

  • “PET” by Akwaeke Mazi

  • “Milk and Honey” by Rupi Kaur

  • “The Almost Moon” by Alice Sebold

  • “When Aidan Became a Brother” by Kyke Lukoff

  • “You Don’t Know Everything” by Alex Gino

  • “Jack Not Jackie” by Erica Silverman

What books have been removed from library shelves?

A total of seven books have been removed from shelves in Alachua County.

  • “Beyond Magenta” by Susan Kuklin

  • “13 Reasons Why” by Jay Asher

  • “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe

  • “Tricks” by Ellen Hopkins

  • “The Duff” by Kody Keplinger

  • “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George Johnson

  • “The Almost Moon” by Alice Sebold

Of the book challenges, three await a hearing in front of the school board. “My Maddy,” will be reviewed March 7, “When Aidan Becomes a Brother,” will be reviewed March 21, and “PET,” will be reviewed March 27.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: See which 7 books have been banned in Alachua County schools.