Belton ISD Library Book Review
Sign-up to be a Belton ISD Book Reviewer for the District
Sign-up to be a Belton ISD Book Reviewer for the District
Sign-up to be a Belton ISD Book Reviewer for the District
Sign up to join other members of the Belton ISD community to help review challenged library books.
Sign-up to be a Book Reader and submit a review
Sign-up to be a Belton ISD Book Reviewer for the District
Sign-up to be a Belton ISD Book Reviewer for the District
Are you an avid reader? Sign up as a volunteer Book Reader and then submit a review to challenge age-inappropriate, sexually explicit library books following the Texas Penal Code 43.24(a)(2) or Penal Code 43.21(a)(1).
Submit a Book Challenge after reading a book
Sign-up to be a Belton ISD Book Reviewer for the District
Submit a Book Challenge after reading a book
After reading an age-inappropriate, sexually explicit library book, please submit a challenge form. Include page numbers that violate Texas Penal Code 43.24(a)(2) or Penal 43.21(a)(1).
Texas Harmful and Obscene Codes
Texas Penal Code 43.24(a)(2) & Texas Penal Code 43.21(a)(1)
Penal Code 43.24(a)(2) defines "Harmful material" means material whose dominant theme taken as a whole:
(A) appeals to the prurient interest of a minor, in sex, nudity, or excretion;
(B) is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community as a whole with respect to what is suitable for minors; and
(C) is utterly without redeeming social value for minors.
Penal Code 43.21(a)(1) defines (1) "Obscene" means material or a performance that:
(A) the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that taken as a whole appeals to the prurient interest in sex;
(B) depicts or describes: (i) patently offensive representations or descriptions of ultimate sexual acts, normal or perverted, actual or simulated, including sexual intercourse, sodomy, and sexual bestiality; or (ii) patently offensive representations or descriptions of masturbation, excretory functions, sadism, masochism, lewd exhibition of the genitals, the male or female genitals in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal, covered male genitals in a discernibly turgid state or a device designed and marketed as useful primarily for stimulation of the human genital organs; and
(C) taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, and scientific value.
Belton ISD Book Which Have Been Submitted
All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson
This book is in one of our Belton ISD High Schools and has been formally submitted for a challenge. This book was listed in the Lake Belton High School Library for students. Most high schoolers are still minors (14-18 years of age).
Giving sexually explicit material to minors is AGAINST THE LAW as stated by Penal Code 43.24(a)(2) & Penal Code 43.21(a)(1).
If an adult has trouble reading it so it can be reviewed, why would we expose our children to it?
Milk and Honey by rupi kaur
Milk and Honey by rupi kaur has been formally submitted for review using the newly available Belton ISD online Book form. This book was available in the Lake Belton High School library for students. The average age of a student attending High School is between the ages of 14-18.
Here is the listed review for this book from the library site, "A collection of poems that looks at survival through experiences of violence, abuse, love, and loss." There is no reading age recommendation for this book provided.
Notes from reviewer: This book contains descriptions of rape, incest by father & other male relatives, physical & sexual abuse descriptions, drawings that are graphically obscene, sexually explicit & age-inappropriate for minors, and intense adult situations.
On the review form, the question is asked what age or type of school do you recommend this reading material? Because of its p9rnograpic content, this book is better suited for college or higher-level ages adults. #pulltheporn
What Girls Are Made Of by Elana K. Arnold
"What Girls Are Made Of" by Elena k. Arnold submitted for review using the newly available Belton ISD Online Book Form on 8/29. This book is listed in the LBHS Library in both Book and Audio versions. The book was published in 2017, and per Amazon, the recommended age advisement is for the Grade Level: 8 - 12 · Reading age. 13 - 18 years.
The description found on the LBHS Library site for this book reads as follows: "Sixteen-year-old Nina Faye navigates the difficult world of teenage relationships and dysfunctional family dynamics."
Here are a few thoughts from the reviewer after reading this book. This is more than a coming-of-age story of a young female teen. Several details of visiting Planned Parenthood for contraceptives, "boob play," abortion choices, abortion pills, and having an abortion. Description of animal abuse. Numerous detailed explicit sexual encounters and descriptions of anatomy during sex. Masturbation practice and description. Purchase of a "wishbone Doll."
Very intense and obscene subject matter for minors. It is best suited for adult-age readers and for libraries that are college-level or above. Should not be in 8-12 level Public School Libraries. #pulltheporn
Gender Queer A Memoir by Maia Kabobe
"Gender Queer," A Memoir by Maia Kabobe, published in 2019, a review request was submitted on 8/30/2022. This book is listed in the Belton ISD Library of Lake Belton High School (currently marked as “checked out.”). It was also included on the pictorial display of “Banned Books” recently at Belton Middle School. The recommended reading age is 18 years.
Here is the review from the LBHS Library reference site review: "An autobiographical comic in which the author discusses their path to identifying as nonbinary and asexual and coming out to family and society."
Reference Texas Penal Code 43.24(a)(2) #pulltheporn