Both referred to full committee for evaluation
By Heather Michon
Correspondent
By chance, two of the toughest books on the Learning Resources Review Committee (LRRC) reading list fell into the final batch up for review.
Since this spring, the 10-member committee has steadily worked through a baker’s dozen of young adult books challenged last October for allegedly inappropriate content.
All 13 books reviewed to date have been approved to stay on the shelves.
The committee’s meeting on Thursday night (Sept. 26) at the Fluvanna County High School Library might have been its last, with just three titles left: What Girls Are Made Of by Elana K. Arnold, Dime by E.R. Frank, and Shine by Lauren Myracle.
Shine was an easy call. All three members of the subcommittee assigned the title approved it without hesitation.
The other two gave them pause.
What Girls Are Made Of is a coming-of-age novel following a teen girl through her first sexual relationship and its physical and emotional fallout.
“I’m on the fence about this one,” said one reader.
The sex scenes in the first part of the book were not erotic, but were “very detailed,” said another. While none of the readers felt that was not enough reason to remove it under the committee’s guidelines, at least one felt it was best read with a trusted adult to discuss some of its themes.
Part of the issue was that the novel was recommended to Grades 8-12. Librarian Shannon Taylor said she would have been “concerned” about making it available to younger readers.
With the subcommittee unsure which way to go, it was decided that the entire group should read it and vote as a full committee.
Dime also ended up being referred to the full committee.
A gritty, heartbreaking novel about teenage girls caught up in a sex trafficking ring, Director of Elementary Instruction Gemma Soares said the book wasn’t pornographic or even all that explicit, but the subject matter was exceptionally grim.
“I’d be comfortable if this was in one of our counselors’ shelves as a resource for students,” she said.
Neither book has circulated widely; Dime hasn’t been checked out since it was acquired in 2019, and What Girls Are Made Of was last checked out in 2018.
To give all members time to read the books, the committee decided to hold a meeting on Nov. 14 at 5 p.m.. This pause will also give them an opportunity to refine a set of recommendations they plan to give to the School Board to guide any future book challenges.
