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Mount Vernon City Schools
Tip received 4-21-23:
Date: Mon, Apr 10, 2023 9:41 amTo: tips@protectohiochildren.netSubject: Inappropriate books at Mount Vernon Middle SchoolDear POC,I am writing to you regarding some books at Mount Vernon Middle School. I am copying from the on-line catalog so you can see the colorful pictures that attract students. These two are about a trans super-hero.
Summary: Although he was assigned female at birth, Max is your average trans man trying to get through high school as himself. But on top of classes, crushes, and coming out, Max's life is turned upside down when his mom reveals an eons old family secret: he's descended from a long line of Magical Girls tasked with defending humanity from a dark, ancient evil! With a sassy feline sidekick and loyal gang of friends by his side, can Max take on his destiny, save the world, and become the next Magical Boy? A hilarious and heartfelt riff on the magical girl genre made popular by teen manga series, Magical Boy is a one-of-a-kind fantasy series that comic readers of all ages will love.
Summary: High schooler Max, a transgender boy, is dealing with classes, crushes, and coming out when he suddenly learns a family secret--he comes from a line of goddesses called Magical Girls charged with protecting humanity from ancient evil. With his feline sidekick and loyal friends, Max tries to fulfill his destiny and save the world as a Magical Boy instead. This one our librarian did a book-talk on with 7th graders. The students were actually confused at first about what she was telling them. They seemed genuinely surprised that she would be talking to them about a book on this topic!
Summary: "Brian has always been anxious, whether at home, or in class, or on the basketball court. His dad tries to get him to stand up for himself and his mom helps as much as she can, but after he and his brother are placed in foster care, Brian starts having panic attacks. And he doesn't know if things will ever be 'normal' again... Ezra's always been popular. He's friends with most of the kids on his basketball team--even Brian, who usually keeps to himself. But now, some of his friends have been acting differently, and Brian seems to be pulling away. Ezra wants to help, but he worries if he's too nice to Brian, his friends will realize that he has a crush on him... But when Brian and his brother run away, Ezra has no choice but to take the leap and reach out. Both boys have to decide if they're willing to risk sharing parts of themselves they'd rather hide. But if they can be brave, they might just find the best in themselves--and each other"--Provided by the publisher.
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Tip received 4-20-23:
Date: Mon, Apr 10, 2023 9:18 amTo: tips@protectohiochildren.netSubject: Inappropriate books at Mount Vernon City Schools
I have been looking through the on-line card catalog for Mount Vernon schools and am surprised to find lgbt books at the elementary level! Twin Oak Elementary has the following books: 1. Lottery Plus One by Emma Donoghue - about a 9 year old who lives with 4 parents - two lesbians and 2 gay men. 2. Thanks a lot Universe, by Chad Lucas - About a gay teenager 3. List of Things That Will Not Change, by Rebecca Stead - 10 year old dealing with parents' divorce, her father's coming out as gay, and his plans to marry his boyfriend 4. High Five for Glenn Burke, by Phil Bildner - sixth-grader comes out to his best friend Zoey, then his coach, with unexpected consequences. There are also a few at the other 5 elementaries.
I have been looking through the on-line card catalog for Mount Vernon schools and am surprised to find lgbt books at the elementary level! Twin Oak Elementary has the following books: 1. Lottery Plus One by Emma Donoghue - about a 9 year old who lives with 4 parents - two lesbians and 2 gay men. 2. Thanks a lot Universe, by Chad Lucas - About a gay teenager 3. List of Things That Will Not Change, by Rebecca Stead - 10 year old dealing with parents' divorce, her father's coming out as gay, and his plans to marry his boyfriend 4. High Five for Glenn Burke, by Phil Bildner - sixth-grader comes out to his best friend Zoey, then his coach, with unexpected consequences. There are also a few at the other 5 elementaries.
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Tip received 4-13-23 Middle School:
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I am writing you to inform you of a situation in the Mount Vernon Middle and High Schools. Both of these schools have numerous inappropriate books on the shelves of their libraries. The gay/transgender/LGBTQ+ agenda is being pushed very heavily on the students there, as well as sex education, which includes all these agendas. This is the first step to Queering the culture. The purpose of Queering is to disrupt foundational assumptions about sex and gender, thereby transforming social norms by pushing the envelope. This is not acceptable! I am sending a small sample of the books available below, with excerpts from the authors of the books.
2 Books based on classics:
Melissa by Alex Gino. “When people look at George, they see a boy. But she knows she’s not a boy. She knows she’s a girl. George thinks she’ll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte’s Web. George really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can’t even try out for the part…because she’s a boy. With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte—but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all”
Subject(s) Bullies fiction, Sex role fiction
Jo: An Adaption of Little Women by Kathleen Gros. “With the start of eighth grade, Jo March decides it’s time to get serious about her writing and joins the school newspaper. But even with her new friend Freddie cheering her on, becoming a hard-hitting journalist is a lot harder that Jo imagined. That’s not all that’s tough. Jo and her sisters—Meg, Beth, and Amy—are getting used to a new normal at home, with their Dad deployed overseas and their mom, a nurse, working overtime. What does it take to figure out who you are? Jo March is about to find out.”
Subject(s) Cartoon and comics, Coming out (Sexual orientation), Lesbian teenagers Comic books, strips, etc,
The Best Man by Richard Peck. Archer has four important role models in his life: his dad, his grandfather, his uncle Paul, and his favorite teacher, Mr. McLeod. When Uncle Paul and Mr. McLeod get married, Archer’s sixth-grade year becomes one he’ll never forget.
Subject(s) Gay men Fiction, Gay men Juvenile fiction, Role models fiction
Thanks a lot Universe by Chap Lucas. Brian has always been anxious, whether at home, or in class, or on the basketball court. His dad tries to get him to stand up for himself and his mom helps as much as she can, but after he and his brother are placed in foster care, Brian starts having panic attacks. And he doesn’t know if things will ever be “normal” again. Ezra’s always been popular. He’s friends with most of the kids on his basketball team…even Brian, who usually keeps to himself. But now, some of his friends have been acting differently, and Brian seems to be pulling away. Ezra wants to help, but he worries if he’s too nice to Brian, his friends will realize that he has a crush on him. But when Brian and his brother run away, Ezra has no choice but to take the leap and reach out. Both bots have to decide if they’re willing to risk sharing parts of themselves they’d rather hide. But if they can be brave, they might just find the best in themselves—and each other.
Subject(s) Anxiety fiction, Gay teenager fiction, Gay teenager Juvenile fiction.
Answers in the Pages by David Levithan. When Donovan left his copy of The Adventures on the kitchen counter, he didn’t think his mom would read it—much less have a problem with it. It’s just an adventure novel about two characters trying to stop and evil genius… right? But soon the entire town is freaking out about whether the book’s main characters are gay. Donovan’s mom is trying to get the book removed from the school curriculum, and Donovan is caught in the middle. Donovan doesn’t really know if the two boys fall in love at the end or not—but he does know this: even if they do, it shouldn’t matter. The book should not be banned from the school. Interweaving three connected storylines, David Levithan delivers a bold, fun and timely story about taking action(whether it’s against book censors or deadly alligators..) being brave, and standing up for what’s right.
Subject(s) Gay people fiction, Gay teenagers fiction, Gender identity Juvenile fiction
The Real Riley Mayes by Rachel Elliott. Fifth grade is just not Riley’s vibe. Everyone else is squared up—except Riley. Her best friend moved away. All she wants to do is draw, and her grades show it. One thing that makes her happy is her favorite comedian, Joy Powers. Riley loves to watch her old shows and had memorized her best jokes. So when the class is assigned to write letters to people they admire, of course Riley’s picking Joy Powers! Things start to look up when a classmate, Cate, offers to help Riley with the letter, and a new kid, Aaron, actually seems to get her weird sense of humor. But when mean girl Whitney spreads a rumor about her, things begin to click into place for Riley. Her curiosity about Aaron’s two dads and her celebrity crush on Joy Powers suddenly make more sense.
Subject(s) Friendship comic books, strips, etc. Graphic novels, LGBT people fiction, Self-realization fiction, Sexual minorities Comic books, strips, etc, Sexual minorities fiction, Sexual minorities’ Juvenile fiction.
Middle School’s a Drag by Greg Howard. In Charleston, South Carolina, a young business entrepreneur, newly out as gay, starts his own junior talent agency and signs a thirteen-year old aspiring drag queen as his first client.
Subject(s) Coming Out (Sexual orientation) fiction, Gay fiction
Zenovia July by Lisa Bunker. Zenobia July, and excellent coder and hacker, investigates a mystery while wrestling with the challenges of a new school, al new family, and presenting her true gender for the first time.
Subject(s) Lesbian fiction, Lesbians Juvenile fiction, Identity (Psychology) fiction, Lesbians fiction, Lesbians Juvenile fiction, Transgender people fiction, Transgender teenagers fiction, Transgender teenager juvenile fiction.
Magical Boy by Kao Studios. High schooler Max, a transgender boy, is dealing with classes, crushes, and coming out when he suddenly learns a family secret—he comes from a line of goddesses called Magical Girls charged with protecting humanity from ancient evil. With his feline sidekick and loyal friends, Max tries to fulfill his destiny and save the world as a Magical boy instead.
Subject(s) Cartoons and comics, Family secrets novel Graphic novel, Transgender youth fiction
Alice Austen Lived Here. Middle school student Sam is comfortable with their nonbinary identity, and their family has accepted it too (as long as they do their homework and chores, so when their history teacher assigns as a project coming up with a proposal for the new statue honoring a historical Staten Islander(there is a context involved) they and their friend TJ decide to focus on Alice Austen, a lesbian photographer, whose house on Staten Island is a museum- but they have to overcome the presumption on the part of their teacher that only straight males are eligible.
Subject(s) Gender identity fiction. Gender-nonconforming people fiction, Sexual minorities fiction
Our Subway Baby by Peter Mecurio. So begins the true story of Kevin and how he found his Daddy Danny and Papa Pete. Written in a direct address to his son, Pete’s moving and emotional text tells how his partner, Danny, found a baby tucked away in a corner of a subway station on his way home from work one day. Pete and Danny ended up adopting the baby together. Although neither of them had prepared for the prospect of parenthood, they are reminded, ‘Where l there is love, anything is possible.’
Subject(s) Gay parents, Same-sex parents Juvenile literature
Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg. Text and illustrations look at the human body, gender, and sexuality for children.
Subject(s) Sex instruction for children. Sex instruction, Sex differences, Sex (Biology)
Are you LGBTQ? Are you lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning? Got issues? By Jeanne Nagle
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning? Each of these terms has an individual meaning and community around them. Through interviews with professionals as well as those in the LGBTQ community, readers can learn not only the definition of each of these words but also what it means on a greater scale. Perfect for research or personal us, this text will provide teens with answers to many of their questions about sexuality and create a dialogue through which they can learn to accept each other and themselves. (No mention of straight!)
Subject(s) Orientation and identification. History of the gay rights movement, Science and studies, LGBTQ and society, LGBTQ and the law, Special threats to LGBTQ teens
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2 Books based on classics:
Melissa by Alex Gino. “When people look at George, they see a boy. But she knows she’s not a boy. She knows she’s a girl. George thinks she’ll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte’s Web. George really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can’t even try out for the part…because she’s a boy. With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte—but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all”
Subject(s) Bullies fiction, Sex role fiction
Jo: An Adaption of Little Women by Kathleen Gros. “With the start of eighth grade, Jo March decides it’s time to get serious about her writing and joins the school newspaper. But even with her new friend Freddie cheering her on, becoming a hard-hitting journalist is a lot harder that Jo imagined. That’s not all that’s tough. Jo and her sisters—Meg, Beth, and Amy—are getting used to a new normal at home, with their Dad deployed overseas and their mom, a nurse, working overtime. What does it take to figure out who you are? Jo March is about to find out.”
Subject(s) Cartoon and comics, Coming out (Sexual orientation), Lesbian teenagers Comic books, strips, etc,
The Best Man by Richard Peck. Archer has four important role models in his life: his dad, his grandfather, his uncle Paul, and his favorite teacher, Mr. McLeod. When Uncle Paul and Mr. McLeod get married, Archer’s sixth-grade year becomes one he’ll never forget.
Subject(s) Gay men Fiction, Gay men Juvenile fiction, Role models fiction
Thanks a lot Universe by Chap Lucas. Brian has always been anxious, whether at home, or in class, or on the basketball court. His dad tries to get him to stand up for himself and his mom helps as much as she can, but after he and his brother are placed in foster care, Brian starts having panic attacks. And he doesn’t know if things will ever be “normal” again. Ezra’s always been popular. He’s friends with most of the kids on his basketball team…even Brian, who usually keeps to himself. But now, some of his friends have been acting differently, and Brian seems to be pulling away. Ezra wants to help, but he worries if he’s too nice to Brian, his friends will realize that he has a crush on him. But when Brian and his brother run away, Ezra has no choice but to take the leap and reach out. Both bots have to decide if they’re willing to risk sharing parts of themselves they’d rather hide. But if they can be brave, they might just find the best in themselves—and each other.
Subject(s) Anxiety fiction, Gay teenager fiction, Gay teenager Juvenile fiction.
Answers in the Pages by David Levithan. When Donovan left his copy of The Adventures on the kitchen counter, he didn’t think his mom would read it—much less have a problem with it. It’s just an adventure novel about two characters trying to stop and evil genius… right? But soon the entire town is freaking out about whether the book’s main characters are gay. Donovan’s mom is trying to get the book removed from the school curriculum, and Donovan is caught in the middle. Donovan doesn’t really know if the two boys fall in love at the end or not—but he does know this: even if they do, it shouldn’t matter. The book should not be banned from the school. Interweaving three connected storylines, David Levithan delivers a bold, fun and timely story about taking action(whether it’s against book censors or deadly alligators..) being brave, and standing up for what’s right.
Subject(s) Gay people fiction, Gay teenagers fiction, Gender identity Juvenile fiction
The Real Riley Mayes by Rachel Elliott. Fifth grade is just not Riley’s vibe. Everyone else is squared up—except Riley. Her best friend moved away. All she wants to do is draw, and her grades show it. One thing that makes her happy is her favorite comedian, Joy Powers. Riley loves to watch her old shows and had memorized her best jokes. So when the class is assigned to write letters to people they admire, of course Riley’s picking Joy Powers! Things start to look up when a classmate, Cate, offers to help Riley with the letter, and a new kid, Aaron, actually seems to get her weird sense of humor. But when mean girl Whitney spreads a rumor about her, things begin to click into place for Riley. Her curiosity about Aaron’s two dads and her celebrity crush on Joy Powers suddenly make more sense.
Subject(s) Friendship comic books, strips, etc. Graphic novels, LGBT people fiction, Self-realization fiction, Sexual minorities Comic books, strips, etc, Sexual minorities fiction, Sexual minorities’ Juvenile fiction.
Middle School’s a Drag by Greg Howard. In Charleston, South Carolina, a young business entrepreneur, newly out as gay, starts his own junior talent agency and signs a thirteen-year old aspiring drag queen as his first client.
Subject(s) Coming Out (Sexual orientation) fiction, Gay fiction
Zenovia July by Lisa Bunker. Zenobia July, and excellent coder and hacker, investigates a mystery while wrestling with the challenges of a new school, al new family, and presenting her true gender for the first time.
Subject(s) Lesbian fiction, Lesbians Juvenile fiction, Identity (Psychology) fiction, Lesbians fiction, Lesbians Juvenile fiction, Transgender people fiction, Transgender teenagers fiction, Transgender teenager juvenile fiction.
Magical Boy by Kao Studios. High schooler Max, a transgender boy, is dealing with classes, crushes, and coming out when he suddenly learns a family secret—he comes from a line of goddesses called Magical Girls charged with protecting humanity from ancient evil. With his feline sidekick and loyal friends, Max tries to fulfill his destiny and save the world as a Magical boy instead.
Subject(s) Cartoons and comics, Family secrets novel Graphic novel, Transgender youth fiction
Alice Austen Lived Here. Middle school student Sam is comfortable with their nonbinary identity, and their family has accepted it too (as long as they do their homework and chores, so when their history teacher assigns as a project coming up with a proposal for the new statue honoring a historical Staten Islander(there is a context involved) they and their friend TJ decide to focus on Alice Austen, a lesbian photographer, whose house on Staten Island is a museum- but they have to overcome the presumption on the part of their teacher that only straight males are eligible.
Subject(s) Gender identity fiction. Gender-nonconforming people fiction, Sexual minorities fiction
Our Subway Baby by Peter Mecurio. So begins the true story of Kevin and how he found his Daddy Danny and Papa Pete. Written in a direct address to his son, Pete’s moving and emotional text tells how his partner, Danny, found a baby tucked away in a corner of a subway station on his way home from work one day. Pete and Danny ended up adopting the baby together. Although neither of them had prepared for the prospect of parenthood, they are reminded, ‘Where l there is love, anything is possible.’
Subject(s) Gay parents, Same-sex parents Juvenile literature
Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg. Text and illustrations look at the human body, gender, and sexuality for children.
Subject(s) Sex instruction for children. Sex instruction, Sex differences, Sex (Biology)
Are you LGBTQ? Are you lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning? Got issues? By Jeanne Nagle
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning? Each of these terms has an individual meaning and community around them. Through interviews with professionals as well as those in the LGBTQ community, readers can learn not only the definition of each of these words but also what it means on a greater scale. Perfect for research or personal us, this text will provide teens with answers to many of their questions about sexuality and create a dialogue through which they can learn to accept each other and themselves. (No mention of straight!)
Subject(s) Orientation and identification. History of the gay rights movement, Science and studies, LGBTQ and society, LGBTQ and the law, Special threats to LGBTQ teens
______________________________
Mt. Vernon City Schools is moving into SEL (though not calling it that, of course). If you want to read the 12 page newsletter they just sent out to parents, it's on their webpage.
Superintendent says "We have implemented a new social/emotional-learning curriculum K-8 (Second Steps)."