COBB COUNTY, Ga. – Cobb County Schools Superintendent Chris Ragsdale has announced the removal of two additional books from the district’s school libraries.
“Today, I am bringing forward an additional two books which are being removed from general circulation for containing pictures, drawings, or descriptions that are inappropriate for a public school library for minors because of their lewd, obscene, or graphically sexual nature. Again, our process is not a reflection on the author, the subject, or the literary merit of the book. It is analogous to not giving children unrestricted access to rated-R movies while they are at school,” Supt. Ragsdale said.
What are the books about?
What we know:
The books, “Triangles” by Ellen Hopkins and “A Stolen Life” by Jaycee Dugard, were pulled due to their inclusion of sexually explicit content, according to the superintendent.
“Triangles” explores the intertwined lives of three women, each grappling with personal struggles, desires, and the complexities of adulthood. The book delves into themes of love, infidelity, parenthood, loss, and self-discovery.
“A Stolen Life” is a true crime book by American kidnapping victim Jaycee Dugard, who spent 18 years sequestered and enslaved in California. The memoir describes what she died to survive and cope mentally with extreme abuse.
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“The reason “A Stolen Life” is being removed from general circulation is those very graphic descriptions of the rapes and other sexual abuse she endured, as well as the language used throughout the book. Because of this, the Cobb County School District recognizes it is inappropriate to provide children with unrestricted access to the book. We also recognize it is the decision of a parent when or if their child has access to this material,” according to Supt. Ragsfale.
Other books that have been removed
The backstory:
This decision is part of the district’s ongoing review of library materials to ensure compliance with content standards. The removal of these books has sparked continued discussion about the balance between protecting students and preserving access to diverse literature. Further reviews of library content are expected.
“Triangles” and “A Stolen Life” join a long list of other books that have been previously removed. They include:
- “Laid” by James Dawson: This book is said to serve as a guide for teenagers navigating sexual relationships, offering advice on consent, safe sex, and emotional well-being, framed in a humorous and approachable manner.
- “Crank” by Ellen Hopkins: A powerful novel-in-verse that follows Kristina, a teenage girl whose life spirals out of control after she becomes addicted to crystal meth, leading to devastating consequences for herself and those around her. “Tricks” by Ellen Hopkins: This novel explores the lives of five teenagers, each grappling with their own issues and ultimately turning to prostitution as a means of survival, highlighting the harsh realities of exploitation and despair.
- “Push” by Sapphire: This raw and intense novel tells the story of Precious, an illiterate teenager in Harlem who endures horrific abuse but finds hope and empowerment through education and the support of those who believe in her. “Push” won several awards, including the Book-of-the-Month Club Stephen Crane Award for First Fiction and was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. The film adaptation “Precious” won several Oscars, including Best Supporting Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay. The movie was rated R.
- “Milk and Honey” by Rupi Kaur: A collection of poetry and prose divided into four parts, each dealing with a different aspect of life, love, loss, and healing, with a focus on the female experience and resilience.
- “It Starts with Us” by Colleen Hoover: A sequel to “It Ends with Us,” this novel continues the story of Lily and Atlas, delving into their pasts and exploring themes of love, forgiveness, and second chances.
- “The Infinite Moment of Us” by Lauren Myracle: A contemporary romance that follows two teenagers, Wren and Charlie, during the summer after high school as they navigate love, identity, and the challenges of transitioning into adulthood.
- “The Casual Vacancy” by J.K. Rowling: A darkly comic novel that explores the complexities of a small English town after the unexpected death of a local councilman, revealing the deep-seated tensions and secrets among the residents.
- “Identical” by Ellen Hopkins: This novel-in-verse tells the harrowing story of identical twin sisters, Kaeleigh and Raeanne, who struggle with the trauma of their abusive father, leading them down paths of self-destruction and mental anguish.
- “Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson: A memoir-manifesto that discusses the author’s experiences growing up as a Black queer man, addressing themes of identity, family, and societal expectations through a series of personal essays. This book has been highly praised by critics and was nominated for several awards, including the ALA Stonewall Book Award and was listed as a William C. Morris YA Debut Award finalist.
- “Juliet Takes a Breath” by Gabby Rivera: This coming-of-age novel follows Juliet, a young Puerto Rican woman from the Bronx, who comes out as gay and spends a transformative summer in Portland, Oregon, exploring her identity and activism. This book was highly acclaimed and was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award in LGBTQ Children’s/Young Adult.
- “Monday’s Not Coming” by Tiffany D. Jackson: A gripping mystery about Claudia, a young girl determined to find her missing best friend Monday, and uncover the dark truths that surround her disappearance and the community’s indifference. This book won the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent and was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Young Adult.
- “City of Thieves” by David Benioff: Set during the Siege of Leningrad in World War II, this novel follows Lev and Kolya, two unlikely companions on a dangerous mission to find a dozen eggs for a Soviet colonel, blending dark humor with the horrors of war.
- “Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl” by Jesse Andrews: This darkly comedic novel follows Greg, a high school senior who, along with his friend Earl, befriends a girl with leukemia. The book was adapted into an award-winning film in 2015, gaining significant critical acclaim. The movie was rated PG-13.
- “Flamer” by Mike Curato: A graphic novel set in the summer before high school, following a boy named Aiden as he struggles with his identity, bullying, and self-acceptance. The book has received several awards, including the Lambda Literary Award for LGBTQ Young Adult Fiction.
- “Blankets” by Craig Thompson: An autobiographical graphic novel that explores themes of family, faith, and first love. It is a highly acclaimed work that won several prestigious awards, including two Eisner Awards and two Harvey Awards.
- “It Ends with Us” by Colleen Hoover: This novel tells the story of Lily, a woman caught in a complex and abusive relationship.
- “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky: A coming-of-age story about a high school freshman named Charlie, dealing with trauma, friendship, and self-discovery. It was adapted into a successful film in 2012, and the book has won numerous awards, including the ALA’s Best Books for Young Adults. The film was rated PG-13.
- “Lucky” by Alice Sebold: A memoir recounting the author’s experience of being raped in college and the impact it had on her life. It has been critically acclaimed and was a New York Times Notable Book.
- “Thirteen Reasons Why” by Jay Asher: A novel about a teenage girl who leaves behind cassette tapes explaining her reasons for suicide. The book was adapted into a highly controversial Netflix series and has won awards like the California Book Award for Young Adult Literature. The TV series was rated TV-MA.
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