Search Results

eBooks These sexually explicit ebooks are available through Libby and Overdrive. All that is needed is a library card nu Many schools also have subscriptions to ebooks that may include these titles. Libby is a reading app for borrowing digital books and audiobooks from the library's OverDrive collection. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah Maas All Boys Aren't Blue by George M Johnson Darius the Great Deserves Better by Adib Khorram Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan S Foer Looking for Alaska by John Green George by Alex Gino Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Perez Identical by Ellen Hopkins Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo l8r, g8r by Lauren Myracle Little and Lion by Brandy Colbert Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews Real Live Boyfriends by E. Lockhart Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston Speak by Laurie Anderson The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie Thirteen Reasons Why: A Novel by Jay Asher This One Summer by Jillian and Mariko Tamaki ttfn by Lauren Myracle When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds CONTACT US

The Content Rating Scale The RATED BOOKS reports reflect familiar rating systems used for movies, television, video games, and music, which help families identify levels of explicit content, language, profanity, violence, and other mature themes. These mainstream systems were modeled after the widely recognized MPA film rating system introduced in 1968. Click on image to download. The National Book Rating Index (NBRI) is a multi-source review platform that combines evaluations from independent reviewers to create a single national rating for each book. These ratings help highlight content concerns such as language, violence, sexual themes, and ideological content, giving parents and educators a clearer understanding of how a book’s material may impact its overall rating. The NBRI is well suited for parent use, school and district use. Check out the GREENLIGHT TAB as well.

Transgenderism, Gender Diversity, and the Impact on Children and Education Transgenderism and gender diversity describe individuals whose gender identity or expression differs from their assigned sex at birth, including transgender (male, female, or nonbinary) and gender-diverse identities that challenge binary norms. Increased visibility of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) youth has sparked debates about their experiences in schools and healthcare, focusing on affirming identities while addressing mental health and medical intervention concerns. In May 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) released a 400-page report, "Treatment for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria: Review of Evidence and Best Practices," per Executive Order 14187, “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation.” The report challenges the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care, arguing that evidence for gender-affirming interventions like puberty blockers and hormone therapy is weak and treatments carry significant risks. The articles and information we include examine these complex issues cited by the Report and implications going forward. US DHHS Report on Gender Dysphoria and WPATH Response DOWNLOADABLE TEXT AT BOTTOM OF ARTICLE Foreword by Pavement Education Project The Report on Gender Dysphoria, including medical transition for minors, from the US Department of Health and Human Services was issued on May 1, 2025 (link provided below). It is fairly long (266 pages not including Appendices and Bibliography) and at times technical. But it contains extremely important information for parents of children who experience discomfort or anxiety over their sex and pubertal changes in their bodies, as well as for school board members, policy makers, lawmakers, and all persons of goodwill who are concerned for the well-being of children and adolescents who experience these feelings. School officials and Board members especially need to understand the Report because their actions to socially transition students (allowing use of opposite sex bathrooms and locker rooms, alternate pronouns, playing on sports teams of the opposite sex, GSA clubs, etc.) are not neutral acts that allow kids to explore their gender, but rather active interventions that psychologically condition children and adolescents to proceed onto medical transition (see our own brief review of the research on social transition elsewhere on our website). The Report comprises a summary of 17 international systematic reviews of the medical and psychiatric literature, including the Cass Review for NHS England (link provided below). These reviews evaluated the quality of evidence for gender transition of children and adolescents (i.e., how certain (or not) are the benefits that have been claimed). The reviews were performed by specialists with expertise in research methodologies and quality of evidence. The reviews found that the evidence supporting medical gender transition of minors was remarkably weak because of numerous methodological flaws such as lack of appropriate control or comparison groups, confounding variables, short term follow up, attrition, loss to follow up, small sample size, and reliance on voluntary patient self-assessment instead of clinical observations of mental health. The Report critiques in detail several seminal research studies, including the two original “Dutch Protocol” papers and two 2023 publications from different research groups that have been frequently cited to justify gender transition of minors. The Report points out how both the patients and the data were selected in these papers to favor making the claim for positive benefits. The Report also points out what are not adequately captured by the reviews, namely the possible harms caused by the treatments themselves, because these have generally not been the focus of the research publications. Beyond the evidence reviews, the Report details serious irregularities in the process of developing the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care, version 8 (SOC-8, link provided below) that have been uncovered through the discovery process and depositions in court cases over certain state laws banning medical treatments to change the gender of minors (at the time the present Foreword was being written, the US Supreme Court upheld Tennessee’s law in United States vs Skrmetti). Despite claims in SOC-8 that its recommendations were evidence-based, it was uncovered that WPATH leadership did not allow publication of a number of evidence reviews that it had contracted a team at Johns Hopkins University to conduct after it became apparent that these reviews did not find strong evidence to justify certain treatments. Further, the strength of the recommendations were increased under pressure from Rachel Levine, Assistant Secretary of Health in the Biden Administration DHHS, without the consensus of the 119 co-authors of SOC-8 in contradiction to statements in SOC-8 itself that the formal process known as DELPHI was used to achieve consensus. Similarly, all the minimum age recommendations except for one that were agreed upon by consensus of the co-authors were deleted even after initial publication under pressure from certain officials of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The evidence presented suggests that these modifications were made to SOC-8 without going through the DELPHI process and not based on the medical evidence, but in order to shore up the legal position against state laws limiting medical gender treatments for minors. These revelations about the development of SOC-8 call into question the credibility of WPATH as an objective medical association grounded in science and ethics. Although the SOC-8 claims of “medically necessary” and even “life saving” still need to be maintained to get insurance claim reimbursements as well as support the position in court and legislative battles, the rationale for medical gender transition of minors recently has been shifting toward patient civil rights and autonomy. The Report points out how treatment for minors has shifted from the original “Dutch Protocol” requiring careful assessment of how longstanding the minor patient’s dysphoria has been, to now the “Gender Affirming” model wherein as soon as a patient declares that he or she is the opposite gender, that must be affirmed (accepted) and transition commenced shortly thereafter. (It is noted however that even sticking with the Dutch approach, there is no way to determine which patients will indeed persist in a life-long dysphoria.) At Pavement Education Project, our opinion of this autonomy argument is not only that it obliterates patient safeguards, but that the principle would allow consent by minors for all sorts of other things. Interestingly, the Dutch Protocol also required the approval and support of parents for the transition, whereas now in some states, such as California, and in many locales, children may be taken out of homes if parents do not go along with the gender transition. (Many school districts, including even a few in NC, will not inform parents of their child’s social transition unless the child permits “on a case-by-case basis.”) The Dutch Protocol study made the representation that the patients in that study did not have psychiatric co-morbidities. But the international systematic reviews found that the patient demographic now presenting at gender clinics includes a majority suffering other psychiatric co-morbidities. A significant minority have suffered sexual abuse. A large percentage is also neuro-diverse (autistic and/or having ADHD). The great majority are attracted to the same sex. The patient demographic has also shifted in recent years from mainly pre-pubescent boys to adolescent girls instead, tracking the rise in mental health disorders among adolescent girls. Yet SOC-8 does not even consider that gender dysphoria and the desire for transition could be an inter-related, mal-adaptive coping mechanism for other co-morbidities and adverse childhood experiences. The position in SOC-8 is that co-morbidities may be treated concurrently with medical gender transition treatments, but not before or in place of the gender transition. The day after the Report was published, WPATH and USPATH issued a joint response (link provided below) blasting the Report, as did the AAP. They repeat assertions that gender affirming care is based on thorough evaluation of evidence and rigorous research. But, the quality of evidence is precisely what is challenged in the Report and the 17 comprehensive international reviews of the medical literature. The reviews found that many studies were not rigorous, but had various methodological flaws. In our opinion, for WPATH-USPATH simply to make this assertion is really no response at all because no specific analysis or reasons are offered to show how the international reviews got it wrong in concluding that the evidence is remarkably weak. The chapter on adolescents in the WPATH SOC-8 even says that “A key challenge in adolescent transgender care is quality of evidence evaluating the effectiveness of medically necessary gender-affirming medical and surgical treatments.” So, which is it? How can it be claimed as medically necessary if the evidence doesn’t strongly support it? The present WPATH-USPATH response does refer to critical findings in recent studies, but gives no details or citations. Isn’t this an admission that gender affirming care for minors has been rolled out for many years without solid evidence to justify it, at least until recently (if at all)? In fact the Report does address studies that have come out since the international reviews within the last year. The Report notes that these studies suffer some of the same methodological flaws as the earlier studies included in the systematic reviews. The WPATH-USPATH response states that clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), including SOC-8, “are developed [sic] thorough evaluation of evidence, clinical expertise, patient values and preferences, and cultural and contextual considerations.” This begs the question: Are the CPGs based on evidence, or more on all those other things that are nebulous and ill-defined? What good is clinical experience if the evidence has not been found to justify the risk/benefit of the treatments? Again, how can they talk about thorough evaluation of evidence when SOC-8 said the quality of evidence was a key challenge, and further said that systematic reviews were not possible because of this? Moreover, as mentioned above, the record in the court cases challenging state laws restricting such treatments for minors shows that the SOC-8 guidelines were significantly altered to bolster legal arguments, not to follow the medical evidence. It is telling that the WPATH-USPATH response uses the term “Gender-Affirming Care” as opposed to pediatric medical gender treatments. This means that whatever gender identity a child declares must be affirmed and not questioned. This may be why “patient values and preferences” are included in the list of things that the CPGs are based upon. As a consequence, the WPATH-USPATH support for a “comprehensive, multidisciplinary assessment” is limited to co-occurring mental health issues and does not include an assessment of how long-standing or stable the professed identity has been (unlike the original Dutch protocol), or whether it is being sought as an escape from other problems. The joint WPATH-USPATH response also keeps repeating the claim that there is medical consensus for medical gender transition of minors. No, there is not!!! As a result of the international reviews, many countries, including the UK and the Nordic countries, have greatly curtailed the medical transition of minors and instead emphasize psychotherapy as the first line of treatment. Some of the key doctors who pioneered gender medicine have turned against medical transition of minors. A significant number of AAP’s members dissent from that organization’s position, too. WPATH-USPATH pontificates in their response that healthcare decisions should not be in the hands of politicians, yet the court record discussed above reveals that SOC-8 was substantially altered under pressure from a Biden Administration official. We find it odd that WPATH-USPATH would close their response with a statement that transgender healthcare policies should be guided by clinical evidence, not ideology. To make well-informed decisions on a matter of such serious consequence, all concerned parties need to put in the time to thoughtfully study the 2025 DHHS Report and also the Cass Review. The WPATH SOC-8 should also be read and studied in comparison. Readers will then be able to form their own opinion whether the WPATH-USPATH response has substance. Links are provided below. US DHHS Gender Dysphoria report: https://opa.hhs.gov/gender-dysphoria-report Cass Review for NHS England: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20250310143933/https://cass.independent-review.uk/home/publications/final-report/ WPATH Standard of Care, version 8: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/26895269.2022.2100644 WPATH-USPATH response to DHHS Gender Dysphoria report: https://wpath.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/WPATH-USPATH-Response-to-HHS-Report-02May2025-1.pdf DHHS Report on Gender Dysphoria REV 3 (1).docx This document is intended to be used complete and unaltered. Any edits or modifications should be approved with the Pavement Education Project beforehand to maintain the intended message and integrity of the content. Social Gender Transitioning by Schools This document is intended to be used complete and unaltered. Any edits or modifications should be approved with the Pavement Education Project beforehand to maintain the intended message and integrity of the content. DOWNLOADABLE TEXT AT BOTTOM OF ARTICLE Social Gender Transitioning by Schools The recent inclusion of gender identity into the anti-discrimination policies of the Wake County Public School System, among other districts, will mean that the social transition of trans-identifying children and adolescents will be practiced by public schools. There are two sets of concerns arising from this action: (1.) What are the outcomes for those who undergo gender transition beginning with social transition, and (2) what will be the impact on faculty, staff, and other students who will be required to assent to social transition in their schools. The present article will deal with just the first concern. The authors wish to make clear that we do not wish to cause distress or any harm to those experiencing real difficulties over their gender. Quite the contrary!!! We wish people to be well-informed so that policies and treatments most beneficial for those having very real feelings of distress may be found by following the science. The first step in gender treatment for minors is often social transition in school. A review of gender care for children and adolescents was commissioned by NHS England and headed by renowned pediatrician Dr Hilary Cass. The Review took 4 years and the final report 1 was published in early 2024. The Review concluded that social transition is an active intervention even though not conducted in a clinic. 1 The Review came to this conclusion because evidence suggests that the percentage of students who persist in Gender Dysphoria is increased by social transition, 2,3 and most of these proceed onto a medicalized pathway of puberty blockers and hormones .3 For example, one study cited in the Review found that 97.5% of those socially transitioned persisted (94% as trans and 3.5% as non-binary) after 5.4 years, and a total of 71.6 % had proceeded onto the medical pathway, including those already on puberty blockers at the start, by the time the study concluded. 3 The percentage who ultimately go on the medical pathway will undoubtedly be much higher because many had not yet reached the age minimum recommended for medical transition by the time the study concluded. 3 This is in sharp contrast to many studies that have shown that the overwhelming number of children who have felt Gender Dysphoria outgrow those feelings as they go through puberty if left alone without any intervention. 4,5,6,7 Even the clinical guidelines from the pro-trans Endocrine Society acknowledges that social transition is associated with increased persistence, whereas only a minority of pre-pubertal children would otherwise persist. 8 There is no objective way to test which patients will persist and which will not, 8,9 Factors associated with persistence or desistance have been identified. 4,6 Some argue that the high persistence rates were because those who had the strongest Gender Dysphoria were most likely to socially transition. 1,4 But this is speculation, because the persistence with social transition has not been compared within the same study with controls without social transition appropriately matched based on some measure of intensity of Gender Dysphoria. The complete switch in persistence rates between the separate studies with and without social transition, coupled with the dramatically increased number of patients who have socially transitioned in recent years, 4 makes it difficult to place much reliance on this hypothesis. Moreover, this and other factors associated with persistence have been considered of low clinical utility because of the highly variable nature of individual patient presentations. 6 Now, it should be noted that since about 2014, the patient cohort seeking gender treatment has risen exponentially and has also dramatically shifted from almost all pre-pubescent boys to now about 75% or more girls who have already begun puberty and most of whom have psychiatric co-morbidities and/or neurodiversity. 1,10 For now, there is no data to suggest that this new demographic would not also get over Gender Dysphoria without social transition, particularly if their other problems were addressed first. The Cass Review notes that we do not know how the new patient cohort would have resolved their Gender Dysphoria because alternate therapies aimed at reducing distress or no intervention at all have not been tried with this cohort. 1 In many settings now, therapy to help young people come to accept their sex and body is banned or at least condemned as a form of conversion therapy. 1,11,12 Some studies have reported short term improvements in mental health and/or social functioning of students who have socially transitioned. 13,14 However, the Cass Review found that no firm conclusion could be drawn from these studies because they were of low quality. 1 The quality ratings were provided to the Review by a group at the University of York who are expert at rating the quality of scientific and medical studies. 1 Other studies, 4,15,16,17 including two rated as moderate quality, 4,15 reported no improvement in mental health from social transition. In the latter paper (recently published and not rated in the Cass Review), the authors, one of whom was a top manager of the Tavistock Gender clinic in England before it was shut down, caution that their results should not be taken as proof that there is no benefit to social transition. 17 But yet no clear benefit has been demonstrated. (It is interesting to note that the time from when this paper was initially submitted to the journal until its acceptance was nearly four years. 17 Anyone experienced in the peer review process for scientific or medical journals would suspect that this length of time before acceptance indicates that there was serious contention between the reviewers, authors, and editor over some aspects of the study, and/or its conclusions, and/or citations of competing views.) Some leading figures in the field of psychiatry who are not opposed to transgender identities and who have treated many patients, have raised very strong ethical and medical opposition to the gender-affirming care model for minors. 18, 19, 20 Many rank-and-file clinicians, who went to work at the now shuttered Tavistock clinic because they wanted to help transgender youth, reported grave concerns that they were actually harming their young patients, many of whom presented at the clinic already fully socially transitioned from school with their hearts set on getting puberty blockers and hormones, when clinicians referred those young patients for the said medical treatments. 21 The Cass Review did not recommend an outright prohibition of social transition in schools but recommended that it be done with extreme caution only under supervision of a clinician, and only after addressing other mental health issues, and only with involvement of parents. 1 Note that the State of California has definitively taken the opposite approach on this last point after Governor Newsom signed into law AB 1955 which prohibits local school boards from requiring that parents be informed of their child changing their gender identity in school. 22 Thus in California, everyone including administrators, teachers, and other students will know a child is socially transitioning, but not the child’s parents!!! This has already been defacto policy in many locales even though legislative approval has not been given and people have not voted for it. In summary, the preponderance of evidence shows that the strong majority of children will outgrow Gender Dysphoria as they go through puberty if left alone, or perhaps were to receive alternative talk therapy and treatment for their mental health problems. But if they are socially transitioned, there is a very high probability that they will persist and go onto life-altering and life-long medical treatments that involve iatrogenic harms and side effects without ever having felt or experienced their natal gender in maturity after completing puberty. Moreover, there is little to no evidence that social transition improves psychological functioning or mental health. It is therefore hard to see how social transition could be medically indicated. If public schools truly want to protect trans kids, they should not implement social transition. References https://cass.independent-review.uk/home/publications/final-report/ Zucker, K. J. Debate: Different Strokes for Different Folks. Child & Adolescent Mental Health 2020, 25, 36 at 36–37. Available at https://doi : 10.1111/camh.12330 Olson, K. R. et al. Gender Identity 5 Years After Social Transition. Pediatrics 2020, 150, 1-7. Available at https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2021-056082 Steensma, T., et al. Factors Associated with Desistence and Persistence of Childhood Gender Dysphoria: A Quantitative Follow-Up Study. J. Am. Acad. of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 2013, 52, 582-90. Available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2013.03.016 Steensma, T. D., Kreukels, B.P., de Vries, A.L, Cohen-Kettenis, P.T. Gender Identity Development in Adolescents. Hormones and Behavoir 2013, 64, 288-297. Ristori, J. and & Steensma, T. Gender Dysphoria in Childhood. Int’l Rev. Psychiatry 2016 28, 13–20. Singh, D., Bradley, S. J., and Zucker, K. J. A Follow-Up Study of Boys With Gender Identity Disorder, Frontiers in Psychiatry 2021, 12, 1-18. Available at https://doi : 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.632784 Hembree, W. C., et al., Endocrine Treatment of GenderDysphoric/Gender-Incongruent Persons: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J. Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2017, 102, 3869-3903. Available at https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2017-01658 Laidlaw, M. K., et al., Letter to the Editor: Endocrine Treatment of Gender-Dsyphoria/GenderIncongruent Persons. J. Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2019 104, 686. Littman, L. Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria in Adolescents and Young Adults. Plos One 2018, 13, 1-44. Available at https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0202330 Coleman, E., Bockting, W., Botzer, M., Cohen-Kettenis, P., DeCuypere, G., Feldman, J., . . . Zucker, K. Standards of care for the health of transsexual, transgender and gender non-conforming people, version 7. International Journal of Transgenderism, 13, 165–232. Adelson, S.L. Practice parameter on gay, lesbian, or bisexual sexual orientation, gender nonconformity, and gender discordance in children and adolescents. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2012, 51, 957–974. Durwood, L., McLaughlin, K. A., & Olson, K. R. Mental health and self-worth in socially transitioned transgender youth. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2017, 56, 116–123. Olson, K. R., Durwood, L., DeMeules, M., & McLaughlin, K. A. Mental health of transgender children who are supported in their identities. Pediatrics, 2016, 137(3). Available at https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2015-3223 Sievert, E. D. C., et al., Not Social Transition Status, but Peer Relations and Family Functioning Predict Psychological Functioning in a German Clinical Sample of Children with Gender Dysphoria. Clinical Child Psych, & Psychiatry 2021, 26, 79-95. Available at https://doi.org/10.1177/1359104520964530 Wong, W. I., van der Miesen, A. I. R., Li, T. G. F., MacMullin, L. N., & VanderLaan, D. P. Childhood social gender transition and psychosocial well-being: A comparison to cisgender gender-variant children. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology, 2019, 7, 241–251. Available at https://doi.org/10.1037/cpp0000295 Morandini, J.S., Kelly, A., de Graaf, N.M. et al. Is Social Gender Transition Associated with Mental Health Status in Children and Adolescents with Gender Dysphoria? Arch Sex Behav 2023, 52, 1045–1060. Available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-023-02588-5 Levine, S. B. Ethical Concerns About Emerging Treatment Paradigms for Gender Dysphoria. J. Sex & Marital Ther. 2018, 44, 29. Availailable at https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2017.1309482 Riittakertu Kaltiala (2023) The Free Press. Available at https://www.thefp.com/p/gender-affirming-care-dangerous-finland-doctor Ruuska, S. M., Tuisku, K., Holttinen, T., & Kaltiala, R. (2024). All-cause and suicide mortalities among adolescents and young adults who contacted specialised gender identity services in Finland in 1996-2019: a register study. Available at BMJ Mental Health, 2024, 27, 1-6. Available at https://doi . org/10.1136/bmjment-2023-300940 Hannah Barnes, “Time to Think. The Inside Story of the Collapse of the Tavistock Gender Service for Children.” Swift Press, 2023. Text available at https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB1955 This document is intended to be used complete and unaltered. Any edits or modifications should be approved with the Pavement Education Project beforehand to maintain the intended message and integrity of the content. CONTACT/JOIN US

North Carolina Statutes regarding material harmful to minors. LAWS, STATUTES, AND OPINIONS Mahmoud v. Taylor Case Summary Background: In Mahmoud v. Taylor, parents in Montgomery County, Maryland, challenged the school district’s policy on LGBTQ+-themed storybooks in elementary classrooms. The Dispute: The Montgomery County Board of Education integrated LGBTQ+-inclusive storybooks into the curriculum. Initially, parents could opt out, but the district later eliminated this option, citing administrative challenges and a commitment to inclusion. Parents from diverse religious backgrounds claimed the no-opt-out policy violated their First Amendment religious freedom and parental rights. Lower Court Rulings: The district court rejected the parents’ request for a preliminary injunction, a decision upheld by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Supreme Court Decision: On June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of the parents, finding that the no-opt-out policy infringed on their First Amendment right to free exercise of religion. Impact: The court’s ruling strengthens parental rights and religious liberty, affirming parents’ ability to shape their children’s education according to their beliefs. It stated, “A welcoming classroom cannot be achieved through hostility toward students’ and parents’ religious beliefs.” SUPREME COURT RULING Allowing Parents to OPT OUT of Lessons Contrary to Religious Beliefs Read the Ruling HERE Click the PARENT RESOURCES for OPT OUT documents for you to use. More Important Supreme Court Rulings Below Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling Executive Order 14190 Issued 2/3/2025 Executive Order 14190, titled "Ending Radical Indoctrination in K–12 Schooling," is an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on January 29, 2025. It aims to restrict federal funding for K–12 schools that implement curricula or policies related to "gender ideology" and "discriminatory equity ideology," a term defined within the order. The order also reinstates the 1776 Commission to promote "patriotic education". Read the complete document HERE. Examples of Violations Violations are centered on educational materials, curricula, and practices that are deemed to promote "discriminatory equity ideology" or "gender ideology". Specific actions and materials that could violate the order include: Facilitating social transition without parental consent: This includes a teacher or school counselor affirming a transgender minor's gender identity. Using preferred names and pronouns: Referring to a transgender or nonbinary student by their preferred name or pronouns, in instances where it would be interpreted as supporting "social transition" or "gender ideology". Granting access to segregated facilities: Allowing a student to use a bathroom, locker room, or sports team that differs from their sex assigned at birth. Teaching about systemic racism or implicit bias: School curricula that include concepts like "white privilege" or "unconscious bias" are considered anti-American and in violation of the order. Promoting DEI programs and frameworks: The order prohibits federally funded teacher training programs from including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) concepts. Distorting American history: Curricula that do not align with the "patriotic education" narrative promoted by the reinstated 1776 Commission could be seen as violations. RECENT NORTH CAROLINA STATUTES Recently HB 805: Prevent Sexual Exploitation of Women and Minors passed with a veto override. The bill defines sex as biological male or female, bans taxpayer-funded gender-transition procedures for inmates and restricts them for minors, extends malpractice lawsuit windows, mandates age verification for online pornography, regulates school sleeping arrangements, ensures parental opt-out rights for conflicting classroom materials, and makes school library catalogs searchable with parental controls. Gov Stein signed SB 442: Parents Protection Act i nto law. The Parents Protection Act, protects parents from losing custody or facing prosecution for refusing gender-affirming treatments for their children. It addresses cases where courts or social services deem non-affirmation as maltreatment, safeguarding parental rights and religious freedoms. NC Statutes That Impact Children, Education, and Parental Rights. Parents and Guardians send their children to school with expectations that they will receive a good education, and have access to appropriate materials and texts. They also expect an environment in which their child's physical and mental health is protected. Content defined as obscene is now included in libraries and classrooms by North Carolina Statute § 14-190.13 Definitions for certain offenses concerning minors. Content may show graphic images or have descriptions of sexual acts. Please take note of North Carolina Statute § 14-190.15. Disseminating harmful material to minors; exhibiting harmful performances to minors. It allows a defense for schools, libraries, and museums to have a pass. No one ever thought such inappropriate literature would appear within the walls of a school. We must work with legislators to make the changes needed to protect children from age inappropriate and harmful content. The Parents' Bill of Rights. § 115C-76.55. ( SB 49) addresses the requirement for age-appropriate instruction for grades kindergarten through fourth grade. It states that " instruction on gender identity, sexual activity, or sexuality shall not be included in the curriculum provided in grades kindergarten through fourth grade, regardless of whether the information is provided by school personnel or third parties." It also prohibits the use of inappropriate inappropriate core and supplementary materials. Look at your child's school district and school on this website to see if there are inappropriate materials available to your child. Some books and materials available in schools may be in violation of NC General Statute 115C-81.30. Reproductive Health and Safety Education. This content and subject matter may lead children to question their own sexual identity. The Pavement Education Project team working with concerned citizens have identified a selection of books believed to be in violation of North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 14. Criminal Law § 14-190.1. Obscene literature and exhibitions. Other North Carolina General Statutes regarding Materials Harmful to Minors. Read Subchapter VII Offenses Against Public Morality and Decency Article 26 for the entire statute, definitions, and related offenses toward minors. Contact your legislators with your concerns related to this statute and the intent of the law. The PEP website shows books, book lists, and related information under the BOOKS tab. North Carolina school districts, books, and links to excerpts are shown under the LOCATIONS tab. If you are interested in assisting with book searches in your NC school district, we can help you get started. Book banning is not the focus, but the appropriateness of such books in a public school setting is questionable. SB 808: An Act to Prohibit Gender Transition Procedures for MinorsGender Transition for Minors limits medical transitioning procedures or to prescribe, provide, or dispense puberty-blocking drugs or cross-sex hormones to a minor. The statute makes provision for children that have disorders, under treatments for a variety of medical maladies, or suffer physiological abnormalities. The statute outlines penalties for violation of the statute. HOUSE BILL 574: Fairness in Women's Sports Act also became law. It will "prohibit male students from playing on middle school, high school, or collegiate athletics teams designated for females, women, or girls". It also will "require a student's sex to be recognized solely based on reproductive biology and genetics at birth for purposes of athletic participation." Changes in laws affecting charter schools were enacted in HB 219: The Charter School Omnibus. It clarifies requirements of charter application and renewal. It addresses enrollment in low performing schools. Admittance of out of state students and children of military families are also outlined. Other Important NC Statutes SUPREME COURT RULINGS AND DECISIONS RELATED TO BOOKS AND LITERATURE The Miller Test is the primary legal test for determining whether expression constitutes obscenity . It is named after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Miller v. California (1973) . The Miller Test i s a three-prong legal standard used to determine if material is considered obscene. It requires that the average person, applying contemporary community standards, find: 1) the material appeals to the prurient interest (a sexual interest) 2) the material depicts or describes patently offensive sexual conduct defined by law 3) the material, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. Island Tree School District VS Pico In the Supreme Court case Island Trees School District v. Pico (1982), the Court held that the First Amendment limits the power of junior high and high school officials to remove books from school libraries because of their content. The Supreme Court ruled in the students’ favor on First Amendment grounds, holding that the right to read is implied by the First Amendment. The government—in this case, a public school—cannot restrict speech because it does not agree with the content of that speech. The decisions called libraries places for “voluntary inquiry” and concluded that the school board’s “absolute discretion” over the classroom did not extend to the library for that reason. The ruling also established that public schools can remove books from libraries if they are deemed "pervasively vulgar" or not suitable for the curriculum. However, schools cannot remove books simply because they disagree with the ideas presented in those books. The ruling acknowledges the First Amendment rights of students to access information, while also allowing for school boards to exercise reasonable control over the educational environment. Case v. Unified School District (1995) This case concerned the removal of Annie on My Mind, a book about a lesbian relationship, from the Olathe, Kansas, school district’s high school libraries. The book’s removal was challenged as a violation of the First Amendment. The U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas ruled that the school district’s decision to remove the book violated the First Amendment rights of students. The court found that the removal was motivated by the school board’s disagreement with the book’s content rather than any legitimate educational concerns. The book was ordered to be returned to the school libraries. The Pavement Education Project supports the passage of HB 636: Promoting Wholesome Content. Read and sign the Petition . HB 636: Promoting Wholesome Content CONTACT/JOIN OUR TEAM FIND MY NC LEGISLATORS

Celebrations! The following schools have removed or rehoused age inappropriate content from their school libraries! We are so pleased for the students and so proud of you! Under Construction Burke County Schools East Burke High And They Lived by Steven Salvatore Crank by Ellen Hopkins The Duff by Kody Keplinger Empire of Storms by Sarah Maas The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Heidi Durrow Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk Identical by Ellen Hopkins Life is Funny by ER Frank The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Red Hood by Elana Arnold Rumble by Ellen Hopkins Sold by Patricia McCormick Traffick by Ellen Hopkins Tricks by Ellen Hopkins Freedom High And They Lived by Steven Salvatore Boy Toy by Barry Lyga The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood multiple copies Heroine by Mindy McGinnis Rumble by Ellen Hopkins Sold by Patricia McCormick Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen Wicked:the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Mcguire The You I Have Never Known by Ellen Hopkins Robert Patton High The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Sold by Patricia McCormick Wicked: the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Mcguire Draughn High Call Me by Your Name by Andre Aciman The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood Life is Funny by ER Frank Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Sold by Patricia McCormick The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen WIcked: the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Mcguire East Burke Middle Chosen by PC Cast Fade by Lisa McCann Go Ask Alice by Anonymous The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi Hallyburton Academy Chosen by PC Cast Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult Sold by Patricia McCormick Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher Liberty Middle Chosen by PC Cast Wicked: the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Mcguire Table Rock Middle Crank by Ellen Hopkins Glass by Ellen Hopkins Speak by Laurie Anderson Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher Walter Johnson Middle Speak: the graphic novel by Laurie Anderson Brunswick County Schools

Share your concerns regarding age-inappropriate and harmful materials found in school curricum or libraries. Protecting Children Protecting children means shielding them from age-inappropriate and harmful content that threatens their well-being and healthy development. Join us in this effort by adding your name to our call for action. We do not sell your information. Concerns About Age-Inappropriate and Harmful Books and Materials in Public Schools Pass Legislation & Policies to Protect Children From Harmful Content * First name * Last name * Street Address Address * City or Town * State * Zip Code County * Email Phone * Please state your concerns. Submit

NC School Report Cards, DEI programs supported by Federal Tax dollars, ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT THE LATEST ON SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT 2024-2025 As of September 25, 2025, North Carolina's full academic progress report remains unavailable to the public. Preliminary data indicates minimal growth, with some districts showing less than 1% improvement, while others have regressed. These lackluster results suggest that, without significant intervention, the state risks perpetuating an undereducated population, many of whom hold high school diplomas despite lacking essential literacy skills. News reports highlight that the state superintendent is reviewing the school grading system to address this poor performance. However, is adjusting how schools are graded the solution to North Carolina’s educational challenges? We hope to make some recommendations in the future. 2024-2025 RESULTS Live in Wake County? View school by school performance with school climate, teacher characteristics, and leadership. View the academic achievement of North Carolina students HERE . Choose the county, then the district. You may view academics as far back as 2015. We leave it up to you to decide whether you are satisfied with the academic achievement of NC students. Did you look at the performance of subgroups? Are North Carolina schools meeting the needs of all it's students.You decide. Accountability Data Sets and Reports Resources WCPSS reports by school that includes school mission, teacher characteristics, school climate, etc. NC STATE TESTING RESULTS (GREEN BOOK) The 2023–24 North Carolina State Testing Results document summarizes student participation and performance at the state level, with data from public school units (PSUs). The test data come from original administration files submitted by PSUs through fall 2024. This information may be found on NCDPI website HERE. HISTORICAL TRENDS AND REPORTS Students At or Above Proficiency in Both Reading and Math Grades 3-8 Students At or Above Proficiency in Both Reading and Math Grades 3-8, Black, White, Hispanic Students NC Education Trends Over Time Growth in Administative Staff and Students since 2000 Allotted Average Daily Membership How are NC School Districts Spending Their Federal Dollars? Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training for Teachers in Wake County WCPSS recently introduced their equity plan. View the document. Will this expensive initiative improve academic achievement or is it meant to transforrm student thoughts and beliefs about themselves and their families? An opinion piece written by Joshua Peters in The Carolina Journal highlights some of the issues with the WCPSS Pathways to Excellence and Equity plan. Contact / Join Our Team National Assessment Educational Progress (NAEP) 2024 Snapshots of NC 8th Grade Progress

Follow the action steps to protect your child from harmful content. ACTION STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD OPT IN or OPT OUT of Lessons that are in conflict with your religious beliefs .In Mahmoud v. Taylor, the Supreme Court upheld parents' rights to opt their children out of LGBTQ+-inclusive storybooks in Montgomery County Public Schools, citing a violation of their religious freedom under the First Amendment. The Court issued a preliminary injunction allowing opt-outs during ongoing litigation. This decision prioritizes parental rights over education policies. Use one of the templates to opt your child out of lessons and materials that are in conflict with your religious beliefs. CLICK on the PARENT RESOURCE page FOR FORMS and to view the Supreme Court Ruling. PROTECT YOUR CHILD FROM INAPPROPRIATE LITERATURE 1. Monitor your child's reading assignments. Parents may request alternate materials if the text is objectionable or in conflict with your religious or moral beliefs. Your child's grades and standing should not be affected. 2. Know what your child is choosing from the media center and choosing on ebook apps. Our searches identify books in school libraries but not all the ebooks available through Destiny Follett. Libby, Sora, NC Cardinal, and NC Kids Digital Library. View links at the bottom of the page. Learn more about NC Cardinal, NC Kids Digital Library, and Sora on the READING, BOOKS, AND MORE page. 3. EMAIL the teacher, Principal and School Board Representative with your concerns about the materials your child is expected to read or use. An email provides a written record of your concerns and requests. Phone calls or written notes do not. 4. EMAIL your Representative and Senator about what you see happening in your child's school and/or district. We have been told that an email is more meaningful, provides a record, and carries more weight than a phone call. View links at the bottom of the page. Know Your School District Policies View Many School District Policies through the Online Web Hosting Services of the NCBCA. The North Carolina School Board Association (NCSBA) provides online web hosting for many of North Carolina's school boards. It offers services such as manual updates and evaluations. It is a member organization. What policy changes have been made in North Carolina to help districts follow the Parents' Bill of Rights directive that took effect in January 2024? Click here to for easy access to many district policy manuals. Challenge a Book Book banning is not PEP's goal, but we are concerned about sexually inappropriate content, gender concepts, extreme violence, self-harm, suicide, and horror in books and materials available to minors in school libraries and classrooms. Parents have the right to challenge inappropriate instructional or supplementary materials in their child's school, including in media centers, classroom libraries, or assignments. The Process Reconsideration of Instructional Materials First - Print and complete the REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS FORM from your child's school district. It may be found online at the school or school district website. If it isn't, contact the Principal or Media Specialist at the school. Letter and Artifacts Second - Write a personal letter to the Principal explaining your thinking. Submit your letter, the Request for Reconsideration form, and book artifacts such as photos, chapter, and page references with objectionable material BY EMAIL. Email will provide you a paper trail if needed. Principals and Review Committees Lastly - After the Principal's review, hopefully your book will be out of circulation or use. If not,the challenge will go through a series of committee reviews. The number and make up of the review committees will be directed by school board policy. In many districts it is SB policy 3210. It will be most likely be composed of school personnel, librarian, and parents. Ask who will be on the committee. They should read and review the book just as you did. Check back on their progress weekly. Now What? If the book is approved to remain on the shelves, continue to ask school personnel to send your book challenge to the next level, which will likely be a school board committee. If you do not receive the decision you wanted, contact your district Superintendent, State Superintendent, the NC Board of Education and legislators. Email them with your documents and steps you have taken to change the situation. Address the School Board with Your Concerns Most schools have an online sign up process for comment. Check the Board's website. The process in some districts takes place on location before the meeting begins. Check it out a few days before you plan to speak. You may be asked whether you will be responding to items on the agenda or policy changes. Observe a board meeting to learn how the meeting is structured. Most school boards allow 2-3 minutes for public comment. Prepare your remarks with that in mind. Its not typical for the Board to ask or answer questions during Public Comment time. State your key idea or point. Preparing facts and statistics are helpful. So are personal stories. Be confident, this is your school district and you have every right to be heard even if others present do not agree with you. OPT IN or OPT OUT of Reproductive Health Lessons Parents currently have the option to opt out from human sexuality instruction for their children. Schools will usually have you opt in or out of instruction when you register your child for school, or they will send home forms throughout the year for special programs, or training events. You must OPT OUT as of this posting. Anti-bullying, mental health, family diversity, social emotional learning (SEL) and sex education trainings are pathways of influence with your child. Opt out of everything or pull your child out of school during these instructional times when such material is being presented. Unless you have reviewed the curriculum and materials, parents have no way of knowing what is actually being taught and some curriculums approved for use in North Carolina are not faithfully following state statutes for NC children. Do you know what comprehensive sex education really is all about? Take a look at the graphics to learn just a few concepts and values that of some CSE programs. from Siecus There are many curriculums that North Carolina school districts may choose for their students. The Parents' Bill of Rights prevents sexual instruction before grade 4. See PBR for complete text. There are many curriculums that are not in compliance with North Carolina State Statutes. Opt Out or wait to Opt In until you have thoroughly inspected all materials and digital resources that students may access. SL SESSION LAW 2023-106 SENATE BILL 49 49 § 115C-76.25.Parent legal rights for their child's education. (a) Parents have legal rights with regards to their child's education, including the following: (1) The right to consent or withhold consent for participation in reproductive health and safety education programs, consistent with the requirements of G.S. 115C-81.30. (2) The right to seek a medical or religious exemption from immunization requirements, consistent with the requirements of G.S. 130A-156 and G.S. 130A-157. Stop the Viewing of Sexually Inappropriate Material on Public School Devices. REPORT INCIDENTS. We need your help to stop North Carolina schools from ignoring the harm being done to innocent children when they access adult websites on school devices. This is happening in the classroom, on the bus and at home. Please take a few minutes to hear from one mom’s experience in Wake County. See the blog: Pornography on School-Issued Device If you know of a family that has been impacted by this issue, please have them contact us . With enough complaints, legal action might proceed. It’s time to hold the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the Board of Education, and District School Boards accountable for violating obscenity laws and for not protecting minors from sexual content on school devices. OTHER GROUPS CONCERNED ABOUT EDUCATION IN NORTH CAROLINA Our Mission Activities Overview: Empower and unify member teachers to provide unbiased sound content and to improve public school quality and literacy; provide affordable tutoring and online courses. Pender County Concerned Citizens- CONTACT US

Understanding Lexile Levels, using Follett Online Card Catalog, Books We Love Reading Resources Understanding Lexile Levels The Lexile Framework is an approach to measuring a child’s reading ability and the evaluation of the complexity and difficulty of a text. Teachers use Lexile measures when charting growth of their students, planning instruction, and sharing information with parents. We all want students to read fluently with good comprehension. We also expect the complexity of text and understanding to increase as a child progresses throughout their educational career and into adulthood. Educators should guide students to “good fit books with just the right amount of challenge”. Traditionally these books would be a healthy balance between the student’s Lexile score and books that would be 50-100L above their measured score. To help citizens understand the Lexile system, the lowest Lexile number is 0L and the highest is 2000L. Any letters written before the numbers give information about the text and complexity. BR = Beginning Reader AD= Adult Directed Books ( books for adults to read to children) HL=High Interest but Low Complexity IG=Illustrated Guides GN=Graphic Novels Understanding the Numbers and Codes Lexile.com provides many resources including identifying the Lexile score of most books, tools to support instruction, word lists, and a Find a Book tab. This is a very helpful site, but please remember this site does not look at developmentally appropriate content, content that might be harmful, or standards or morals that you and your community may find objectionable. The Pavement Education Project recognizes that children need books and reading materials that they find interesting. They also should have regular books and materials within their Lexile reading range that will challenge their development. https://hub.le xile.com/find-a-book/search https://lexile.com/parents-students/ https://hub.lexile.com/find-a-book/search https://www.dpi.nc.gov/districts-schools/testing-and-school-accountability/lexiler-and-quantiler-measures/lexiler-framework-reading https://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Assessment/Pages/Lexile-Framework.aspx The Focus on the Family website called Plugged In has reviews and recommendations for books, movies, games, etc. Facebook groups like Book Reviews for Christian Families can also help you search for books for your kiddos. The webpage Lexile Find a Book can be a helpful tool when looking for titles, but remember, it does not screen for objectionable content. When purchasing books, Amazon and other book vending sites often include Lexile Scores in the product description on the left. Don’t forget to take a look at what your children are self selecting in the library and are using in the classroom. Look at the content and lexile levels. Knowledge is power! Our website hopes to include recommended reading lists in the not so distant future. Let us know if you would like to be part of a team of readers and reviewers. Where Can I Find Good Fit Books for My Child? Contact Us Using Follett, the Online Card Catalog to Locate Books Most North Carolina school districts uses the Destiny Follett management system to catalog books in school media centers. Students and teachers use it to search and access books and possibly other resources. Some districts may include eBooks, audiobooks, etc. as part of their subscription. Some of the features of the Destiny Follett system include easy search by author, title, or subject. The interest level and a basic reading level of the book is listed as well as the call number (or address of the book's location in the library). Recently, we are seeing descriptions of the books included. The system makes it fairly simple for the librarians to add new books. The site is accessible for students from school or home. Once they login to the district portal with their student ID, they can begin searching. The My Stuff tab at the top (only visible when logged in) allows students and parents to see what is currently checked out to them. We do not know if the setting can be adjusted to show all past books checked out to a particular student but we think that information could be beneficial for parents. The system allows for the creation of collections of books by topic (for students or teachers) by the media specialist or librarian. Unless the collection was created by the media specialist in that specific library, not all the books pictured might be available. However, book titles and descriptions shown could make it possible for them to be searched in other systems, like Sora, Libby, etc., and checked out perhaps through the public library system.The Destiny Follett system allows for parents, citizens, and the community to see what is available on the shelves of the library. We encourage parents to request the districts's policy in regards to adding books to the library. Does the policy allow anyone to donate books to the library? What books would be acceptable for donation? Will the librarian replace favorite classics like The Hungry Caterpillar or The Scarlet Letter if they are so worn that they need to be discarded? Some districts have unspoken policies that exclude books printed before the year 2000. Some of the classics and books you remember will may no longer be available to future students. Knowledge is power. Familiarize yourself with the library system. Did You Know? According to the Follett website, nearly $2 trillion in ESSER Funds are still available in 2024 to support schools and students. The website states Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funds provide a significant boost to your learning initiatives. Follett is here to provide guidance on using ESSER Funds effectively using our unique analytical tools that can diagnose the strength and gaps in your collection. S ocial transformative books have been required as a funding qualification for recipients. If your state or district accepts ESSER funds, what is expected of them? https://www.follettlearning.com/esser Would You Like to Search a School or School District in our state? Go to gofollett.com or contact us. https://www.follettlearning.com/education-technology/library-management-system/destiny-discover Contact Us Books We Love! CHECK OUT THE BOOKS WE LOVE PAGE FOR OUR RECOMMENDATIONS Graphic Novels Graphic novels are in the schools, public libraries, and colleges. The New York Times includes graphic novels as a category on its booklists. Struggling students and erudite academicians laud the benefits of the new genre. The Scholastic magazine, a chief proponent and distributor of graphic novels, defines the literary form as “any book in a comic book format that resembles a novel in length and narrative development.” Graphic novels incorporate benefits and shortcomings of both novels and comic books. HISTORY Graphic novels are akin to or the next iteration of the children’s comic book. The comic book, at its conception and infancy, had a wide variety of themes including superheroes. Yet, some people were concerned that comic books potentially would corrupt the young readers and retard their reading progress. These concerns led to the Comic Code Authority (CCA) tasked with ensuring the proper values were depicted in the comic books (Lloyd Sealy Library) . The themes of the comic books and their values were strongly compatible with the superhero theme and, thereby, undergirded the success of the superhero morality plays of the good hero overcoming and conquering the evil villain. Comic books soon became a lucrative literary venture. In 1986, Will Eisner introduced a new genre -- birthed from the comic book --the graphic novel. The expanded “comic book” was a collection of stories about a neighborhood in the Bronx. The format appealed to a new expanded reading audience. However, it was Art Spiegelman who brought the new literary format into popularity (Lloyd Sealy Library) . It resembled a novel in length and story line; however, the graphic novel’s story was driven by pictures and supplemented with only sparse text. Graphic novels not only differed from traditional comic books in their length but also subject matter. The topics ranged from classical literature to backstreet pulp fiction. Often, a graphic novel, then and now, departed from the innocence of the superhero’s overcoming the menacing, evil villain to more edgy subjects. RESEARCH Current research of graphic novels overwhelmingly touts the benefits. Educators report that graphic novels promote reading for the reluctant and poor readers, for the non-native English speakers, the unmotivated readers, and the beginning readers (Reader’Advisory Guide to Graphic Novels). They claim pictures help reading comprehension, and therefore, are valuable tool for developing cognition. Graphic novels are not just for the reluctant or poor reader but are also popular with older fluent readers. Graphic novels make complex literary classics comprehensible. The story line is more easily understood with visual images, rather than words. The Readers’Advisory Guide to Graphic Novels asserts that the genre promotes visual literacy for the 21 st century’s media demands. In addition to the academic advantages, emotionally, there is no shame associated with graphic novels as attested by the popularity with more skilled and older readers. FORMAT CONCERNS However, like the parents who were concerned about comic books of the 1950s, parents have their reservations about graphic novels. Though many may concede that graphic novels appeal to and motivate reluctant readers and help them comprehend subject matter, many parents are apprehensive, even cynical, of graphic novels’ net benefits for developing skilled readers and thinkers. Words are the tools of thinking. Relying on pictures for context promotes guessing for word meanings. Vocabulary is developed through reading and writing. A picture-driven story undermines both basic cognitive skills. Graphic novels cultivate passive, feckless learning habits. The mind is developed much like muscles. Effective learning requires resistance. Synapsis and memories are made stronger when effort is applied. Processing information from the words “requires constant voluntary attention” (Rossiter & Silberstein, 2001), whereas pictorial information processing is passive. Graphic novels reduce literature to an arid, anemic story line. The art of good literature is lost in the pictorial Cliff Notes approach. Divergent thinking is starved by the lack of literary devices. Learning is hard work and a lengthy process. One must ask at what point is the reluctant reader weaned from pictures to text. When will the underlying problem of poor reading strategies be addressed for the reluctant reader? CONTENT CONCERNS Sexually explicit pictures found in school library graphic novels incite emotional responses rather than reasoned ones. Being led by emotions (visceral responses) makes the reader easily manipulated. Often age-inappropriate, or sexually graphic novels have a low reading level (see Lexile Levels) and are accessible to younger children. Formats for comic books, graphic novels, and novels have cognitive relevance, but content should be the primary consideration for evaluating a book, not the conveyance. Content of graphic novels can be pornographic yet readily accessible for the youngest or poorest reader. Content is packaged to reach a certain audience. Judge the book by its format but then look inside and examine the content. Contact Us UNDER CONSTRUCTION What is Manga? What is Anime? Anime and Mental Health Awards and Medals What is the Difference Between YA and Adult Books? Who Wins an Award and Why? It can be puzzling. Writers, librarians, and parents don't always agree. YA ( industry abbreviation for Young Adult) novels are marketed for childr en 12-18 years of age. They are written about teenage characters with story lines meant to appeal to this age group; the category has ha d crossover into the adult market over the last several years. There lies much of the difficulty. Young Adult books are meant to be the next level of reading material after middle-grade fiction as teens transition to adult fiction. They are often coming of age stories. They are engaging and ma y have some level of romance between the characters, such as kissing but they should not contain actual sexual content. The readers and reviewers at the PEP are noticing more and more books labeled YA in middle and high schools with detailed sexual content, including bondage, violence and erotica. Parents must be alert to these sexualized books. We have quite a few listed on our website. Many have received awards of one kind or another. How did that book win that award? The American Library Association gives out many awards to authors and illustrators. One of the most notable is the Randolph Caldecott Award. The Caldecott winners must have outstanding illustrations and appeal to children ages 5-14. In the past, Caldecott winners and honor books were mostly picture or juvenile books that were chosen by parents and teachers to be read to younger students and children. They become favorites, not just because of the pictures but because the stories are entertaining, interesting, and age appropriate. According to the guidelines, in addition to the exceptional illustrations, the book should not be didactic in nature. If you have children, you are probably familiar with these books. Past Caldecott Winners and Caldecott Honor Award Winners Over the last decade there has been change. This One Summer by Mariko and Jillian Mamaki won a 2015 Caldecott Honor Award. Take a look at it and see if you would agree. Other graphic novels targeting middle and high school are also receiving recognition. My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf is an example. Backderf is a two time Eisner award nominee. His book My Friend Dahmer was recognized as a great graphic novel for teens by the ALA and won an Alex award in 2013. Obviously some graphic novels are not meant for children and the content may not be worthy of recognition. The John Newbery Medal is another prestigious award given yearly by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. Two favorites from the past were Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (1992) and Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli (1991). More recent winners have been challenged due to controversial content and language more than obscenities, but not always. Several new awards have made an appearance on books in elementary and middle schools. Most students, parents, teachers, and librarians assume if a book won an award, it must be a good book. A closer look reveals books with agendas promoting values that are uncommon within most North Carolina communities. Here are just three examples of books frequently found in middle schools. George, Looking for Alaska, and Out of Darkness. George by Alex Gino i s a recipient of the following : Children's Stonewall Award, Lambda Literary Award, and Ch ildren's Choice Book Award. The first two awards are for exceptional merit relating to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender experience and content. Looking for Alaska by John Green won the Printz award, an award that recognizes the "best book written for teens, based entirely on its literary merit". While it was a quick easy read, It violated NC Statutes on Obscenity. It als o contained a glorified suicide. Out of Darkness by Ashley Perez is another example of an award winning book not appropriate for minors because it contains detailed depictions of incestual rape. The Alex Awards are given to ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, The winning titles are selected from the previous year's publishing. These books all received the award over the last several years: Lawn Boy ; Gender Queer; Red, White, and Royal Blue ; and The Kite Runner. Take a look at excerpts under the book tab. We question whether these books are appropriate for young adults in a public school setting. They all violate NC Statutes regarding obscenity. The Pavement Education Project encourages you to be aware of the books your child selects from the media center, on class recommended reading lists, and books located in classroom libraries. We believe an award no longer ensures a book is fit for reading by a child, teen, or young adult. Furthermore, The American Library Association may no longer have the values and standards you and your family hold dear. Resources: American Library Association. https://www.ala.org Young Adult Library Services Association. https://www.ala.org/yalsa/

Opt Out Forms Following the Supreme Court decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor, parents can opt their child out of school lessons, activities, or materials related to LGBTQ+ and gender ideology if these conflict with their or their child’s faith. Download and edit our opt-out letter. Send a hard copy and an email to ensure delivery. Religious OPT OUT of LGBTQ+ Content Editable Document LGBTQ Opt Out Books Cited in the Supreme Court Case Advocates for Faith & Freedom, a California based law firm that focuses on parental rights and religious freedom for years, has created a customizable Opt-Out form for parents to use nationwide. Their document states Christian beliefs . Gender LGBTQ List (2) ELEMENTARY.docx Updated 11/2025 List of LGBTQ+ Books found in some school districts in NC. Check your webpage and search on the Follett site. HB 805/ SL 2025-84 ensures parents can opt their children out of classroom materials or activities conflicting with religious beliefs, with schools required to provide advance notice and alternatives assignments and/or materials. You may use our editable form to create a document for you to submit to your child's Principal and teacher. We encourage you to email the letter and ask for confirmation of receipt. Religious OPT OUT of Lessons and Materials Editable Document Opt Out Due to Religious Beliefs Sample of a passage that could be used to Opt Out of The Absolutely True Story of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie As a parent/guardian, I am requesting that my child __________be excused from reading or engaging with the book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie in the English Language Arts curriculum. This request is made in accordance with my sincerely held Christian beliefs, which guide our family’s values and decisions regarding educational materials. I have concerns about the content of this book, which includes profanity, sexual references, and depictions that may be culturally insensitive, particularly regarding Native American experiences. As Christians, we are called to uphold purity in thought and speech, as instructed in Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” The use of profane language and explicit content in the book conflicts with this biblical standard, which encourages us to focus on what is pure and edifying. Furthermore, as followers of Christ, we are called to treat all people with respect and love, as emphasized in Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” The book’s portrayal of Native American experiences, while intended to provide perspective, may risk perpetuating stereotypes or insensitivity, which could hinder the biblical call to unity and respect for all cultures. HB 805/SL 2025-84 enables parents to manage school library checkouts and access a public catalog of library books. Use our book lists and reviews to determine age-appropriate content for your child. Supplementary Instructional (Library and Classroom) Opt Out Form Editable Book Lists Why is WCPSS Allowing Teachers to Expose Young Children to Confusing Content? Are ActivistTeachers Violating the Law? A records request showed a WCPSS teacher used What Are Your Words? by Katherine Locke with 2nd-graders in their Readers Theater lesson and afterschool presentation. Requests about the book’s use in other Wake schools remain unanswered. Why is Wake County delaying? Protect your child from confusing content—complete an Opt-Out form today. "…As a nonbinary/trans teacher, the below standards aligned perfectly with the use of this book. This text allowed students to explore how they can artistically express the cultures around them, including the LGBTQ+ community…" Click to view. Read the full lesson plan here. Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling Executive Order 14190 OPT OUT FORM Editable NC Parents' Bill of Rights

Reading and book resources, Lexile ratings, Destiny Discover Follett online card catalog, Manga and Anime, Graphic novels, Reading, Books, and More The Resources listed here are for parents, grandparents, and citizens. We want you to have the information needed to understand the numbers that educators are talking about, how to search for a book yourself, look at some good resources, and what to avoid. Please email us if you have questions. Understanding Lexile Reading Levels Using the Online Card Catalog Using Follett, the Online Card Clatalog Books We Love! What are Graphic Novels? What is Manga? What is Anime? Anime and Mental Health Video Games and Gaming Books Sora and Public Libraries Books with Awards and Medals Contact Us

Contact us. Questions or concerns? Do you have a story to share? Would you like to join our team? Contact Us Join Our Team Would you like to be part of a team that advocates for children, parents, and excellence in education? Let us know how you would like to help! Up Join Our Team First name* Last name Email* Phone How did you learn about us? Check all that apply. Host neighborhood meeting Evaluate gender diverse books Increase social media presence Grow our phone lists Enter data on statewide excel sheets Research and update schools materials webpage Join the Love America Project Grow our recommended reading list Assist at events Coordinate Awake and Act Events Other Submit DONATE Are you a parent or educator with questions or concerns? Contact us. We will try to help. Contact Us First name Last name Email Phone Comments or Concerns Submit Thank you for contacting us. We will be in touch.

Age inappropriate books found in Graham County Schools, NC. Graham County Schools We congratulate the Graham County School staff on a job well done monitoring books and materials made available to their students. Their list of inappropriate books is short. These books may have sexually inappropriate or confusing gender concepts or content, some including self harm, suicide, violence, and/or racism. No data base is available to determine whether or not classrooms may contain these books. Therefore, we encourage citizens to ask teachers and administrators if these books are present or being used for instruction of any kind. Some Ebooks can appear in the online card catalog. Some districts allow students to sign up to read ebooks using Sora or Libby, as well as other online ebook providers using their school ID. PEP does not know or have access to find out if any safeguards are in place to protect children from reading or seeing graphic material that is inappropriate for their age or grade level. Ask your school administrators if your child's school is providing access to ebooks. Again, congratulations to Graham County Schools and parents. We do our best to keep the lists up to date. If you see a change that needs to be made, please contact us. The Content Based Rating System was inspired by the widely accepted MPA rating system . This rating system is meant to be a quick guide for busy parents who want to know what objectionable material is found between a book's covers. While it is a great tool, it does not meet the standards needed for schools to use for evaluating materials for student use. Robbinsville Elementary School no inappropriate books found Robbinsville Middle and High Schools Ask the Passengers (AS King) Rated 3 A Child Called “It” (David Pelzer ) Rated 3 Looking for Alaska (John Green) Rated 3 Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold) Rated 3 Native Son (Richard Wright) video Rated 3 Speak (Laurie Anderson) Rated 3 The Truth About Alice (Jennifer Mathieu) Rated 3 Water for Elephants (Sarah Gruen) Rated 4 Contact/ Join Us

Has Your Child Been Exposed to Inappropriate Content at School? What is Your Story? Are you concerned about your child being exposed to age-inappropriate or obscene materials in their school library, such as books with explicit sexual content, violence, or other mature themes? Research shows that such materials can negatively impact brain development, potentially leading to depression, challenges in forming healthy relationships, and addictive behaviors in young people. Many parents are alarmed by the increasing presence of these books. We Can Make a Difference: Legislators are considering laws to address obscenity and age-inappropriate materials in schools, but they need to hear real stories of how these materials have caused trauma or distress for students and families. Your experiences can help shape effective policies to protect children. Share Your Story Confidentially : Would you be willing to share your story anonymously to support this effort? We are gathering facts to assist lawmakers and will not share your personal information. Your input can help ensure school materials are safe and age-appropriate. What You Can Do : Review Materials: Identify specific books or materials in your child’s school that concern you, noting their content and impact. Talk to Your Child: Discuss their exposure to these materials and any distress or confusion they’ve experienced. Contact School Staff: Ask teachers or librarians about the selection process for these materials and voice your concerns. Meet with Leadership: Request a meeting with the principal to discuss revising library policies or removing inappropriate content. Join Other Parents: Connect with parent groups to advocate for transparent book selection processes and age-appropriate standards. The Pavement Education Project would welcome your help. Share Your Experience: Contact us confidentially to share how these materials have affected your child or family. Your story can inform legislators drafting protective laws. Engage Further: If issues persist, reach out to your school board, review district policies, or explore alternative schooling options. Why It Matters: Recent X posts and web discussions highlight parental concerns about books like Gender Queer and All Boys Aren’t Blue in school libraries, citing explicit content as unsuitable for young readers. While some defend these books for their perspectives, many parents report their children experiencing distress or confusion from such materials. By sharing your story and taking action, you can help ensure schools prioritize your child’s well-being with age-appropriate resources. Contact Us : If you’re willing to share your story anonymously, please reach out through our secure, confidential form at [insert contact method, e.g., website or email]. We respect your privacy and will use your input only to inform legislative efforts.

Even with the passage of the NC Parents Bill of Rights, and HB 805, elementary schools in many NC districts have continued to add books that embrace gender fluidity and various sexual deologies. Why? Professional organizations are behind the infiltration of age inappropriate materials. Help us to put a halt to this practice. Check your child's school. We can show you how. Contact us for the information.

The Kite Runner Controversary The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is a powerful novel which contains explicit scenes of sexual violence, intense physical violence, and deep emotional trauma. These elements, while integral to the story’s impact, can be challenging for students or adults to process, prompting debate about whether the novel is appropriate for high school curriculum. Wake County Public Schools believes it is and are using it as part of their high school school English Language Arts Program. The Pavement Education Project Team believe it is not appropriate. Read the book report/review and if you agree that it is not suitable, sign the petition that will be submitted to Superintendent Taylor and Wake County School Board. Please share with your friends and family. Petition for the Removal of Kite Runner in WCPSS Summary: The Kite Runner Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner follows Amir, a privileged Pashtun boy in 1970s Kabul, and Hassan, the devoted son of his father’s Hazara servant. Despite their close friendship, ethnic and class divisions shadow their bond. During a kite-fighting tournament, Hassan is assaulted while retrieving Amir’s prize, and Amir, too afraid to help, hides his guilt by framing Hassan for theft—driving him away. After the Soviet invasion, Amir and his father flee to the U.S. Years later, Amir learns Hassan was his half-brother. In 2001, he returns to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, discovering Hassan has been killed and his son, Sohrab, is in danger. Amir confronts Assef—the same bully from his childhood—now a Taliban official, and rescues Sohrab. Traumatized and withdrawn, Sohrab joins Amir in America, where Amir seeks redemption through patience, care, and the small but hopeful act of flying kites together. The novel intertwines personal betrayal and atonement with Afghanistan’s turbulent history, from monarchy to Taliban rule. View Book Reports with pages and book images from the graphic novel HERE Examples of Removal Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner has been removed from high school curricula in various U.S. school districts due to its portrayal of sexual assault, violence, suicide, and other mature themes. The following is a list of some school systems where the book has been removed or excluded from high school reading lists,: Higley Unified School District (Gilbert, Arizona): In 2017, The Kite Runner was removed from the English curriculum at Williamsfield High School without explanation, despite being part of the curriculum for five years. Teachers were instructed not to use it in classrooms or assign it for independent reading. The decision sparked student protests, and the book was replaced with Of Mice and Men, which has also faced challenges. Volusia County Schools (Florida): In 2024, the traditional novel version of The Kite Runner was removed from all school libraries and media centers after a parent, Jenifer Kelly, read an excerpt at a school board meeting on February 11, 2025, prompting a board member to stop the reading due to its content. Florida statute 1006.28 mandates removal of material if a parent is stopped from reading it aloud due to objectionable content. The graphic novel version had already been removed in the 2023/2024 school year Hernando County School District (Florida): In 2024, The Kite Runner was banned from high school libraries following a school board meeting on February 7. Despite review committees recommending retention, the board voted to remove it, with board chair Shannon Rodriguez claiming legal risks if the book remained. Cedarburg High School (Wisconsin): In 2023, The Kite Runner was removed from the 10th-grade curriculum after a parent’s complaint about its depictions of sexual assault, depression, and attempted suicide. The book was pulled despite the complaining parent’s child being offered an alternative text. Wallingford Public Schools (Connecticut): In 2015, The Kite Runner was removed from the required high school freshman English curriculum after a parent objected to references to “homosexuality, date rape, masturbation, and the glorification of alcohol use and drugs.” Centennial High School (Champaign, Illinois): In 2009, The Kite Runner was removed from the reading list due to objections from a parent whose child was assigned the book for summer reading. Jackson County School District (Marianna, Florida): In 2009, The Kite Runner was removed from the required reading list for one class but retained in the library after a challenge citing graphic violence and sexual content. Additionally, the book has been challenged but retained in several other districts, including: Wake County Public School System (North Carolina): In 2025, a parent’s request to remove The Kite Runnerfrom the high school English curriculum was rejected, allowing it to remain a core instructional resou Buncombe County Schools (Asheville, North Carolina): In 2016, the book was temporarily suspended at A.C. Reynolds High School following a complaint but later reinstated for 10th-grade honors English classes with an option for alternative assignments. Waukesha School District (Wisconsin): In 2014, a parent’s attempt to ban The Kite Runner from the high school curriculum was denied by a district panel. Fishers High School (Indiana): In 2018, a parent challenged the book’s inclusion in the Advanced Placement English curriculum due to a same-sex gang rape scene and depictions of distrust in adults, but it was retained with an option for alternative assignments. Troy Area Schools (Pennsylvania): In 2012 and 2013, the book was challenged as optional reading in 10th-grade honors classes for its graphic depiction of rape and vulgar language but was retained. Valley High School (Jonesboro, Arkansas): In 2012, The Kite Runner was challenged for a scene depicting male-on-male rape, sexual innuendo, and vulgar language but was retained in the Senior Advanced Placement English curriculum. Freedom High School (Morganton, North Carolina): In 2008 and 2009, the book was challenged for its graphic depiction of a sodomy rape and vulgar language but retained in the 10th-grade honors English curriculum. We make every effort to report accurate information. If you see an error, please contact us.

Printable lists of inappropriate books, book rating systems, Student Access, etc Book Galleries and Lists Inappropriate Books Found in NC Schools The books seen on our site have been read and reviewed by our team and other groups working together nationally. These books are available in school media centers and libraries in North Carolina. The PEP Team partnered with Rated Books to show a growing group of books that have questionable content and graphics. These books are also often available in classroom libraries or as digital media. We believe: Parents have a right to know what is available to their children in the schools and through media. Many books are age inappropriate, promote harmful ideologies, include explicit sexual and violent content, and should not be available to children for group or independent reading in public school without parental knowledge and consent. Most books are developmentally inappropriate for elementary, middle schools or high school students. Rubrics and rating scales should be used choosing books for children. Rated Books provides a method for evaluating books using a rubric or rating scale similar to the movie industry. Parents and guardians will find it helpful when determining if a book is suitable for their child. School staff must evaluate books with a more detailed and rigorous rating tool when purchasing books and addressing book challenges. See below. Red flag systems and secluded books behind a librarian's desk will not be enough to keep inappropriate literature out of a child's hands. It will require media specialists or staff to become book police, wasting precious time and resources in management. Parent must take action. The mental health of our young is at stake. We can no longer trust that the adults in charge hold or promote values similar to yours. Check my Child's School BOOK GALLERIES Gender Ideology/LGBTQ+ Comprehensive Rating Scale PRINTABLE Search Lists PEP BY AUTHOR Book Search List Sexually Inappropriate Harmful to Minors Books 8/22/2024 Gender Ideologies May 2026 COPY.xlsx Gender Ideologies List May2026.docx North Carolina Book Locations Check my Child's School If you do not see your child's school district, it may be in the works. We could use your assistance to complete the work. Join our team. Join our Team Evaluating Children's Books for Media Centers and Libraries School districts throughout our country struggle to find a tool that educators can use in decision making which books to purchase and when evaluating challenged books for their content and placement. While none is perfect, the policy and model used in Keller Independent School District, Texas is a fine example. Rating scales used in North Carolina should adhere to NC § 14-190.1. Obscene literature and exhibitions. It can be viewed here. View KISD documents here COMPREHENSIVE RATING SCALE RatedBooks.org is a website that provides detailed content reviews and ratings for thousands of books (over 33,000+), with a focus on titles commonly found in school libraries. The site offers short summaries, cover images, content warnings, age-range filters, and in-depth reports so that readers, families, and educators can make informed choices and avoid surprises. The National Book Rating Index (or NBRI ) is RatedBooks.org’s expanded database and subscription service. It builds on their reviews with advanced search features, library inventory matching/audits for schools and districts, side-by-side comparisons from multiple review sources, and tracking of book challenges or removals. It aims to provide institutions and parents with a comprehensive, professional-style tool for evaluating and managing book collections based on content transparency. View it here. Our Recommended Rating and Tier System Rating scales used in North Carolina should adhere to NC § 14-190.1. Obscene literature and exhibitions. It can be viewed here. We believe an amendment is necessary to strengthen NC § 14-190.15. Disseminating harmful material to minors; exhibiting harmful performances to minors. View the statute here . View our model amendment here. Obscenity Law Amendment (Final).docx OPT in or OPT out..Student Access to Ebooks and Audio Books Through Public Libraries Many school districts offer access to ebooks located within nearby public libraries. Some use app links to Sora, Libby, or Overdrive. Most participating schools in NC use a program called Student Access. We believe this was a practice that began during Covid shut down with the intention of providing reading material to all students. Many districts have continued the practice, along with a program called NCKids Digital, funded by the NC General Assembly. NC Cardinal is a program of the State Library of North Carolina, supported by grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Federal Library Services and Technology Act. These apps and programs are available to students on the school issued devices. We are concerned that filters are not in place and may leave students vulnerable. We are also concerned that some of the books included would introduce gender identity and ideology to students before 4th grade. Parents need to thoroughly explore the practices and policies of their district regarding these apps. If you believe your child is at risk, don't hesitate to OPT OUT of these programs. There are other apps that we will discuss at a later date. Sample from Henderson County Sample from Iredell-Statesville Schools Check the books in North Carolina Schools through the Book Locations/Schools Page Don't see your school district? Join our team and be part of a volunteer network. Contact Us/ Join Our Team