Challenged Instructional Resources


  • The Loudoun County School Board provides a wide variety of instructional resources to support and enrich the educational program of the schools. An instructional resource is any resource used in schools to include digital, curriculum, library, and display resources, as well as any programming resources. Instructional resources are used to complement School Board adopted textbooks. (Policy 5045 & 5046)

    Instructional materials and library materials should be selected in accordance with the objectives outlined in LCPS School Board Policies 5045 and 5046.  Primary instructional resources are covered under the LCPS School Board Textbook Adoption policy (Policy 5130).

    A school library collection is curated to serve the informational needs of the school community and it will have books that span across grade and interest levels. The library collection must meet the instructional and general interest needs of all the students in the school. The school library is a place of choice and students have a voice in selecting their reading materials. 

    Classroom libraries complement the school library and are available to students for additional choice reading. They supplement the core curriculum and are another place of student choice.   

    LCPS recognizes that parents should guide their children in the selection of choice instructional resources, and there are times when a resource may not align with their family values. In such a situation, we invite parents to meet with the teacher or librarian of the school, to collaboratively select alternate recommendations or solutions. If the parent is not happy with the resolution and would like to challenge the book formally, they should reach out to the school principal. 

  • FAQs

    What should parents/guardians do when their child has selected or has been assigned a resource that they are concerned about?
    When a parent has questions or is concerned about an instructional resource, they should start with the teacher of the class or the librarian at the school. Teachers and librarians will work with parents to answer questions, understand their concerns and work to provide alternate texts.  

    How can a parent request that books or other instructional materials be reconsidered not only for their own child but for all students? 
    The process for challenging instructional resources starts at the school level by contacting the principal.  The complete process is outlined in LCPS School Board Policy 5045 Selection, Review, and Challenge of Instructional Resources. To request a reconsideration of instructional resources, submit this form.

     
Expand All

  • 2023-2024

    2023-2024

    Queer: The Ultimate LGBTQ Guide for Teens by Kathy Belge and Mark Bieschke

    Division Review

    This book was reviewed based upon community input regarding sexual content in the book.

    A committee met and recommended to keep the book in the high school library collections, (7 for, 0 against). The committee voted to keep the book at the middle school level (6 for, 1 against).  

     The Acting Superintendent removed Queer: The Ultimate LGBTQ Guide for Teens from the middle school collections and retained it in the high school collections.

    Cameron's Camp for Wellness (website/ebooks)

    Level: Elementary

    Decision is due by November 10th.

  • 2022-2023

    2022-2023

    I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez

    Division Review
    - I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez should continue to be offered as a 10th grade classroom bookclub choice in high school (4 for, 4 against). The committee wondered if this book might fit better in the 11th grade unit on American Literature since the protagonist is in the 11th grade.

    - I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez should be removed from the middle school library collections (8 for removing, 0 against).

    - I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez should remain in the high school library collections (7 to retain, 1 to remove).

    The Superintendent agreed with the committee's decisions.

    This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson

    Division Review
    - The committee recommends retaining This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson in the high school library collections (6 for keeping, 1 for removing) 
    The Superintendent concurred.

    Seeing Gender by Iris Gottlieb

    Division Review
    - The committee recommends retaining Seeing Gender by Iris Gottlieb in the middle school collections (4 to retain, 3 to remove).
    - The committee recommends retaining Seeing Gender by Iris Gottlieb in the high school library collections (7 to retain, 0 to remove).
    The Superintendent removed Seeing Gender from the middle school collections and retained it in the high school collections.

    School Level Challenges

    All's Faire In Middle School by Victoria Jamieson

    School Level review

    -The committee met and decided that it was appropriate for fifth graders, and since there isn't a way to ensure younger students did not check out the book, it was decided to move that copy to the middle school level.

    I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel

    School Level review

    - The committee unanimously recommended removing I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel from the library.

    The Principal agreed.

    Feral Youth by Shaun David Hutchinson

    - The school decision was to retain the book. This decision has been appealed to the Superintendent.

    - The committee recommends retaining Feral Youth by Shaun David Hutchinson as a book club choice (7 to retain, 1 to remove)

    - The committee recommends retaining Feral Youth by Shaun David Hutchinson in the high school library collections (6 to retain, 1 to remove, 1 abstain)

    - The committee recommends retaining Feral Youth by Shaun David Hutchinson from the 1 middle school library (7 to remove, 1 abstain)

    -The Superintendent supported the committee recommendations.

    Fences by August Wilson

    Division review

    - The committee recommends removing Fences by August Wilson as an anchor text in the 11th grade curriculum (4 to remove, 3 to retain).

    - The Superintendent concurred.

  • 2021-2022

    2021-2022

    Life is Funny by E.R Frank
    Division review
    The committee members recommend the following: 
    - Retain Life is Funny by E. R. Frank in the high school
    diverse classroom libraries (7 for keeping, 0 for removing). 
    It is a self-selected read for students.
    - Retain Life is Funny by E. R. Frank in the high school
    libraries (7 for keeping, 0 for removing). It is a self-selected
    read for students.
    The Superintendent concurred.

    Melissa by Alex Gino (formerly titled, George)
    Division appeal
    The committee recommends retaining this book in the elementary school libraries (6 for keeping; 1 for removing).
    The Superintendent concurred.

    Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

    Division review
    -The Committee voted to retain Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe in library collections, (4 for, 3 against).  The book is in 3 high school libraries. It is a self-selected read for students.
    Removed by the Superintendent.  Division appeal to the School Board, who upheld the Superintendent’s decision to remove the book from high school libraries.

    Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison
    School challenge pulled to the division level
    -The Committee voted to retain Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison in the high school library collections, (7 for, 0 against).
    The Superintendent concurred.

    A Quick and Easy Guide to Queer and Trans Identities by MadyG and JR Zuckerberg
    Division challenge
    - A Quick and Easy Guide to Queer and Trans Identities by Mady G & J.R. Zuckerberg should continue to be offered as a classroom library book in the high schools (7 for, 0 against)
    - A Quick and Easy Guide to Queer and Trans Identities by Mady G & J.R. Zuckerberg should be retained in the high school library collections (7 for, 0 against)
    The Superintendent concurred.

    School Level Challenges

    The Breakaways by Cathy G. Johnson
    Moved to the next level (Elementary to Middle)

    Black Flamingo by Dean Atta
    Moved to the next level (Middle to High School)
    Melissa by Alex Gino (formerly titled, George)
    Retain in library collection (Division appeal)

    I’m a Pretty Little Black Girl by Betty K. Bynum
    Retain in library collection

  • 2020-2021

    2020-2021

    Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
    The committee members recommend the following: 
    - Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon should continue
    to be used in the 9th grade ELA curriculum as a potential
    whole group instruction (7 for, 0 against)
    - Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon should continue to
    be offered as a book club choice in the ELA curriculum
    (7 for, 0 against)
    - Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon should be retained in
    the high school library collections (7 for, 0 against)
    - Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon should be retained in
    the middle school library collections (7 for, 0 against)
    The Superintendent concurred.

    Scythe by Neil Schusterman
    Committee members recommended the following:
    Since the parent had raised an objection to the book being read in a classroom, the committee decided to break whole class instruction into two parts -
    1) Scythe by Neal Shusterman should continue to be used in whole group instruction. However, the committee discussed the lack of student choice when books are read aloud. Also discussed was the role the teacher plays in leading discussions of sensitive topics. The committee struggled with a hard ‘yes’ to the whole group read aloud of the entire book and wanted it noted that the understanding of how the book will be introduced by the teacher prior to reading plays a large role (4 for, 4 abstained)
    2) Scythe by Neal Shusterman should continue to be used for a book club choice in the 8th grade dystopia unit. (7 for use as book club choice, 1 abstain)
    - Scythe by Neal Shusterman continue to be retained in the middle school library collection (8 for, 0 against)

    The Superintendent concurred.

    #MurderTrending by Gretchen O’Neil
    The committee members recommend the following: 
    - #Murder Trending by Gretchen O’Neil not be used for assigned whole group instruction.
    - #Murder Trending by Gretchen O’Neil continue to be available for book club choices in units of study, although the committee felt better titles were available. As previously noted, this book draws comparisons from many major works (see above) and creates an opportunity for discussion; also meets the need for reluctant, lower level readers who may want to participate in dystopian literature that is accessible.
    - #Murder Trending by Gretchen O’Neil continue to be available in both the middle and high school library collections. 
    The Superintendent concurred.

    Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany Jackson
    The committee members recommend the following:
    - Monday is Not Coming by Tiffany Jackson continues to be available in LCPS high school library collections.
    - Monday is Not Coming by Tiffany Jackson be moved from the 6 middle school library collections to the high school collections. 
    - Monday is Not Coming by Tiffany Jackson continues to be available for book club choice and independent reading at the high school level.  While the book does have strong language and sexual content that may not be appropriate for some students who have suffered trauma in the past or for other reasons, it is appropriate for many students and offers a window into another experience.  Additionally, there were many themes in which students would connect with including family and school support, overcoming learning disabilities, loss, friendship or lack thereof among others. 
    The Superintendent concurred.

    The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
    Committee members recommended the following.
    - The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas continue used for whole group instruction (5 for use as whole group, 1 against and 1 abstain)
    - The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas continue to be retained for use in the high school ELA curriculum as a choice reading selection (6 for, 1 against)
    - The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas continue to be retained in the high school library collection (6 for, 1 against)
    - The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas continue to be retained in the middle school library collection (6 for, 1 against)
    The Superintendent concurred.

    Teaching Tolerance Website
    Recommendation:  The committee recommends keeping Teaching Tolerance as a supplemental and optional resource for teachers in grades K-12.  
    The Superintendent agreed. The decision was appealed to a select committee of the School Board. The select committee of the School Board upheld the Superintendent’s decision to retain Teaching Tolerance, 3 for keeping, 0 against).

  • 2019-2020

    2019-2020

    Heather has two Mommies by Leslea Newman

    Division appeal

    The committee recommends retaining it in the kindergarten classroom library.

    The Superintendent agreed.

    Prince and the Knight by Daniel Haack

    Division appeal

    The committee unanimously voted to recommend keeping the book in the classroom library collection.

    The Superintendent agreed.

    Willow and the Wedding by Denise Brennan Nelson

    Division appeal

    The committee recommended keeping the book in classroom and school libraries.

    The Superintendent retained the book in the classroom and school libraries.

    Other Broken Things by Christa Desir

    Division appeal

    The committee unanimously agreed that this book needs to be moved to the 11th and 12th grade classroom libraries. 

    The Superintendent agreed.

    Rani Patel in Full Effect by Sonia Patel

    Division appeal

    The committee recommends retaining this title in the classroom and school library collections.

    The Superintendent agreed with the recommendation.

    Season of You and Me by Robin Constantine

    Division Review

    The Committee recommended retaining this book  in the 9th, 11th and 12th grade classroom libraries.

    The Superintendent agreed.

    Drama by Raina Telgemeir

    Division Appeal

    The committee recommended moving it to the middle school level due to the themes in the book and the ages of the characters.

    The Superintendent agreed to move the book to the middle school library collections.

    Gabi, Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero

    Division Appeal

    The committee recommended to keep the book in the 9-12 classroom libraries (7 for, 0 against). 

    The Superintendent agreed.

    My Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodavis

    Division appeal

    Moved to 2nd grade classroom libraries.

    Beyond Magenta by Susan Kuklin

    Division challenge

    The committee recommends retaining this title. The committee unanimously voted to recommend retaining Beyond Magenta in the 9th, 10th and 12th grade classroom libraries.

    No action was taken on this review.  The title was not formally challenged.

    Cub by Paul Coccia

    Division Review

    The committee unanimously agreed to remove the book from the 9th grade diverse classroom library and retain it in the 11th and 12th grade diverse classroom library collection. 

    No action was taken on this review.  The title was not formally challenged.

    Dime by E. R. Frank

    Division Review

    The committee recommends that this book remain in classroom libraries. 

    No action was taken on this review. The title was not formally challenged.

    Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robbin Brown

    Division Review

    The committee recommended keeping the book in the high school classroom libraries.

    No action was taken on this review.  It was not formally challenged.

    Girls Like Me by Lola St. Vil

    Division Review

    Retain in classroom libraries.

    No action was taken on this review. The title was not formally challenged.

    Gravity by Leanne Lieberman

    Division Review

    The committee unanimously voted to keep the book in the 9th grade diverse classroom library.

    No action was taken on this review. The title was not formally challenged.

     

Last Modified on October 18, 2023