List of books removed from all districts in 2022-23 school year released, includes explicit material

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – The Florida Department of Education released the number of book challenges and books removed from school districts from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.

When totaling all of the school districts, more than 300 books were removed. Some of them included the same titles that were removed in other districts.

Several of the books listed had been criticized for their sexually graphic nature.

For example, two districts removed the title “This Book is Gay,” which reportedly details “the ins and outs of gay sex” and how to use a “hookup app.”

Four school districts removed the book “Lucky” that intensely details rape scenes.

Clay, Marion, Orange and Broward school districts pulled out the book “Perfectly Normal.” The book shows cartoon pictures of sex and masturbation. It also reportedly explains in details how to have sexual intercourse.

Here is the full list

The county with the most books challenged during that time is Clay County schools, with 489 objects that led to 177 removals. Martin County schools had 110 objections which resulted in 98 book removals.

Some counties experienced a very high number of objects with very few objects. Volusia County schools received 89 objects that led to two removals.

There were 30 objects in St. Johns County schools with utlimately six removals.

Miami-Dade County had five objects and zero removals. That is similar to Collier County, which saw seven objects and zero removals.

Counties not limited to Okaloosa, Nassau, Okeechobee, Union and Sumter had zero challenges during that time span.

Schools have received book challenges outside of the designated time frame.

New Florida law requires school districts report to the education department which books were challenged, why and the reasoning behind discontinuing or keeping the material.

Options for discontinuing the books include:

• Pornographic
• Prohibited under Section 847.012, F.S.
• Not suited to student needs and ability to comprehend the material
• Inappropriate for grade level and age group
• Fails to meet criteria of Section 1006.31(2), F.S., including a description of the criteria that forms the basis for the objection
• Other, including a description of the criteria that forms the basis for the objection

Parents and those residing in a county of the school district are allowed to challenge books they find inappropriate in classrooms.