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The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
The Knox County public schools system has now removed a little over a hundred books from school library shelves in compliance with Tennessee law.
In order to comply with the state’s Age-Appropriate Materials Act of 2022, Knox County Schools (KCS) began removing books last year following the passage of a policy by the county’s board of education in July.
KCS removed forty-eight books in December in adherence with the policy that specifically removes access to “explicit” books which are defined as those containing nudity, or descriptions/depictions of sexual excitement, sexual conduct, excessive violence, or sadomasochistic abuse.
On the list of prohibited materials, now up to one hundred thirteen books, are many titles by Elana Arnold, Ellen Hopkins, and Sarah J. Maas, who are known for their sexually explicit content.
Controversial books like Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe, and All Boys Aren’t Blue by George Johnson are also on the list and will no longer be made available to the student body across the KCS district.
The Age-Appropriate Materials Act was created to allow Tennessee parents to have more input over what their children are exposed to while at public school. Legislation meant to strengthen the law by giving parents and legal guardians the right to file civil suits against school districts made significant progress during the 2024 legislative session but was taken off notice in the House.
The number of books removed by school systems across the state due to the law has varied with some like Wilson County having taken over four hundred off of shelves, and others like Rutherford County having only removed six.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
