Controversy Erupts in Florida as Moms Call Police Over YA Novel in School Library
In a shocking turn of events, two members of the organization Moms for Liberty in Florida have called the police on school librarians, accusing them of distributing pornography to minors. The incident occurred when a 17-year-old student checked out a young adult (YA) novel, prompting these moms to take action.
Jennifer Tapley, a member of Moms for Liberty, known for its far-right stance on parental rights and labeled an extremist organization by the Southern Poverty Law Center, contacted the Santa Rosa County police on October 25th. She claimed to have evidence that a crime had been committed and insisted on making a report.
The so-called evidence in question was a copy of the YA novel Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout. The fantasy book follows the story of Trinity Marrow, an 18-year-old who possesses the ability to communicate with ghosts and spirits. While the novel includes a scene where two characters engage in intimacy, it is important to note that the primary focus of the story revolves around the character fighting demons to protect humanity.
The publisher, HarperCollins, recommends Storm and Fury for readers aged 14 and above, and Barnes and Noble suggests it for readers between the ages of 14 and 18. It is crucial to mention that this novel was included in the Florida Association of Media in Education (FAME)’s Teen Reads list for the 2020-2021 academic year, indicating its suitability for teens.
Tapley, accompanied by Tom Gurski, another member of Moms for Liberty, visited the Sheriff’s Office to give their statement. Gurski claimed that a crime had been committed, emphasizing that it was a third-degree felony and asserting they possessed evidence.
Florida law allows for the banning of books with sexual content if it is deemed harmful to minors and patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community as a whole with respect to what is suitable material or conduct for minors. However, it is worth noting that Storm and Fury primarily focuses on battling demons and protecting humankind, rather than explicit sexual content.
Author Jennifer L. Armentrout expressed surprise at the incident, stating she finds it concerning that adults nowadays believe it is appropriate to involve the police in a fictional book centered around gargoyles. She emphasized that Storm and Fury was not written to incite sexual excitement but rather to educate people about a little-known disease in an engaging, suspenseful, and adventurous manner.
Due to the nature of the incident, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office directed Tapley and Gurski to the director of safety at the Santa Rosa County Florida School District before closing the case.
This incident has sparked debates about censorship, parental rights, and the role of librarians in curating diverse collections for readers of all backgrounds. Kasey Meehan, a director at PEN America, stated her shock at the orchestrated campaign to remove books from schools escalating to the involvement of the police. She emphasized that professional librarians exercise sensible measures to ensure their collections cater to diverse audiences and should not be penalized for making knowledge accessible within legal boundaries.
This controversy showcases the ongoing challenges faced by educators and librarians in navigating the delicate balance between providing access to literature and meeting the expectations of a wide range of parents and community members.
In conclusion, the actions of Moms for Liberty in Florida, where police were called over a YA novel in a school library, have ignited a heated controversy surrounding censorship, parental rights, and the role of librarians. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by those responsible for providing access to literature while respecting the diverse perspectives within our communities.
