Will 4 debated books return to library shelves? Beaufort Co. school committees have decided

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect that only the person who submitted the original complaint can appeal a committees decision.

“The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Speak,” “Perks of Being a Wallflower” and “The Kite Runner” all will be allowed in Beaufort County schools after book review committees approved their return to libraries Thursday.

A majority vote was needed for a decision on each book. Three of the four committees voted unanimously to include the books in the school libraries for all grade levels. The decision to keep “Speak” had four “yes” votes and one “no” vote.

All copies of these titles will be removed from storage at the district office and placed back in school classrooms and libraries. However, if an appeal is filed, the Board of Education will have the final say on whether the books remain on the shelves.

Some community members said Thursday night an appeal is likely.

These are the first four books reviewed by committees to make decisions on 97 titles removed from school libraries in October. School administrators removed the titles for review over possible adult content based on a local conservative politician’s list, District spokesperson Candace Bruder said.

During the meeting, which took place at Bluffton Elementary School, review committees discussed their findings using the “Reconsideration Committee Checklist.” Then they voted on whether the titles should be allowed in the school district.

“I think the best thing was the fact that everyone came from a different background and came to the exact same conclusion,” said Ruth James, a Beaufort County parent who was on the “The Kite Runner” review committee. “We all read it with different scopes and with different ideas.”

Superintendent Frank Rodriguez appointed the review committees, which consisted of seven members: a community member, a district-level administrator, a parent, a school administrator, a member of a School Improvement Council within the district/school, a school librarian and a teacher.

However, every committee was missing at least one member Thursday. Bruder said this wouldn’t impact the process or the decisions made Thursday.

How an appeal works

The original complainant, Mike Covert, is able to appeal the committees’ decisions within seven days, according to district policy. After an appeal, it is up to the Board of Education to make a decision on the titles within 15 days.

Covert, whose book list was reviewed by the district, is an outspoken GOP member and former Beaufort County Council representative. Covert made his list by using a local Moms for Liberty member’s list with the addition of one book.

Parent and former Beaufort County teacher Angela Rossillo said she wants the decisions appealed because the committee checklist had too much room for interpretation.

“I appreciate that they had these volunteers come out and I think that was wonderful of them,” she said. “However, I don’t think the rubrics were used property.”

Once a decision is made, it will stand for at least five years after the book’s original challenge date. Then, books can be reconsidered again for inclusion in the libraries.

Why the books were reviewed

All four of the books reviewed Thursday were on PEN America’s 50 most banned book list during the 2020-21 school year. Since their publications, all of the titles had movies or TV shows based on them.

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’

“The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood is No. 22 on PEN America’s list. The award-winning book describes an American society in the near future overturned by a theocratic and patriarchal revolution. It has sold millions of copies and inspired an award-winning Hulu TV adaptation starring Elisabeth Moss. Women’s rights and abortion advocates worldwide have dressed in the caped robes Atwood depicted in the book.

“The Handmaid’s Tale” was flagged for “profanity, violence, sexual activities, [and] self-harm, including suicide,” according to BooksLooks.org, the rating system used to compile the Moms for Liberty member’s list and tied to the conservative parent group.

‘The Kite Runner’

“The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini tells the story of two boys in Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion, the exodus of refugees to Pakistan and the rise of the Taliban. It has won multiple awards, inspired a movie and is No. 11 on PEN America’s list.

BookLooks.org flagged the book for “explicit sexual activities, including sexual assault and battery; prostitution involving minors and adults; explicit violence; and mild profanity.”

‘Speak’

“Speak” by Laurie Halse Anderson is No. 37 on PEN America’s list. Anderson based the award-winning book on her own life, though it is fictio. She tells the story of a freshman in high school who stops talking after she is sexually assaulted. Kristen Stewart stars in a movie based on the book.

The book “contains sexual activities, including an explicit sexual assault and battery and profanity,” according to Booklooks.org.

‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky is a coming-of-age tale about a depressed high schooler struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder after being sexually abused as a child. It is No. 27 on PEN America’s list and has won multiple awards. The movie based on the book stars Emma Watson, Paul Rudd and Logan Lerman.

BookLooks.org flagged it for “sexual activities, including assault and battery; sexual nudity; profanity; violence; alcohol and drug use.”