Critically Thinking about K-12 Books
My response to a local example of K-12 book misinformation.
I’ve written about the horrific corruption of K-12 library books and textbooks before (e.g., see here and here). This continues to be a very hot item as: a) the Left has prioritized the subversion of our children’s minds, b) major national forces (like the American Library Association*) are aggressively supporting this, c) there is no well-coordinated, effective national response from the Right (like DOEd), and d) to date no State has passed adequate legislation to assure that K-12 libraries and classes only have age-appropriate books
Re “d”, remember that those who are calling for DOEd to be closed are saying to turn over the K-12 education to these same 50 states. This is one of many pieces of evidence that indicates that such a plan makes no sense.
Anyway, in my popular local newspaper, a citizen just wrote in complaining about supposed “book banning” in our county schools. Below is the Letter to the Editor (LTE) that I promptly sent in as a reply (and it was accepted).
Note five subtleties in my response:
1) The person who wrote the initial LTE has an unusual name, so it’s not clear whether this is a man or a woman. Rather than use Woke pronouns, I refer to that individual as “the writer,” etc.
2) Even though what they wrote was ignorant, I carefully called their beliefs wrong, rather than saying they were wrong. Big difference!
3) Although this fight is about values (as Judeo-Christian values are being assaulted), I avoided using that word, as it is more likely to stir emotions. Instead, I am making the focus on the age-appropriateness of books, etc. which is less flammable.
4) In an attempt to make the age-appropriateness more understandable, I repeatedly used a specific example: an eight-year-old child. I purposefully added the “child” part to further emphasize the age disparity.
5) Many of those on the Right who are involved with this issue, focus on books that are sexually inappropriate. IMO this is a strategic mistake, as there are several other subject areas that make a book age-inappropriate. Broadening the issue expands our support. See my examples below.
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A famous golf axiom is that almost all golf bets are won (or lost) before even teeing off. The reason is that the stipulated conditions will favor one golfer over the other.
In this day and age of rampant political misinformation, this is a favorite tactic used: to mischaracterize an issue in a way that stacks the deck in favor of the complainer. Such an example appeared in a Carteret News-Times (NC) LTE on 4-12-25. The earnest writer pleaded against “book banning” — but there was no such action being taken or considered!
The one — and only — issue regarding K-12 library books and textbooks is: is the book material age-appropriate for the children involved?
For example, it is not age-appropriate for books available to an 8-year-old child to include such content as gratuitous violence, drug promotion, profanity, self-mutilation, beastiality, etc.
Consider three facts: 1) the American Library Association explicitly states on their website that they do not believe in age-appropriateness* [so we can see where the problem lies], 2) for decades, movies have been labeled by age-appropriateness [and exactly who has been harmed by such labeling?], and 3) local schools are not “banning” any books.
Regarding #3: a) just because an author writes a book, they are not entitled to have it purchased with taxpayer dollars to be in every US K-12 school, b) purchased books should be clearly marked as to which age they are appropriate for, and c) if a school does not have every book that a parent would like their child to read, parents can obtain said books on their own, for their child. So nothing is “banned.”
Lastly, regarding other opinions expressed by the writer:
1) Not having books on depraved violence, etc. available for an 8-year-old child does not “cause them to read less.” I contend that it is exactly the opposite.
2) Not having books on drug advocacy, etc. available for an 8-year-old child does not “hinder their critical thinking.” Eight-year-olds do not have the experience and maturity to perform critical thinking on such material.
3) “Educators are handicapped due to a decline in available books.” There are thousands of age-appropriate books for every age group of K-12 students, so if that is an educator's experience they should solicit their library to buy more of the many age-appropriate books that are out there.
4) “Reading diverse books helps develop a strong sense of self and empathy for others.” Agreed, as long as they are age-appropriate.
If this writer (and others of a similar mindset) would apply Critical Thinking to this issue, they will see the overwhelming evidence that age-appropriateness is the main criterion that should be carefully applied to textbooks and library books in our K-12 schools.
{FYI, for those who are not subscribed to my free popular twice-a-month Newsletter (see below), in the last issue I posted a link to good people who are trying to identify some of the many objectionable books, by State and by school in each State. It is a work in progress. Please make a donation.}
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* K-12 school librarians play a key role as to which books are purchased for the school library. Most of these librarians are also members of the American Library Association (ALA). The ALA adamantly opposes the concept of age-appropriateness! Their website makes it crystal clear what their official position is:
Access to Library Resources and Services for Minors: “Library policies and procedures that effectively deny minors equal and equitable access to all library resources available to other users violate the Library Bill of Rights. The American Library Association opposes all attempts to restrict access to library services, materials, and facilities based on the age of library users.”
The question is: is a K-12 school librarian acting in the interests of parents and school children, or are they an agent disseminating ALA ideology?
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Actually the Bible doesn't say "age appropriate" . That is an incorrect term. It will depend on who is doing the appropriate deciding. We are warned about what we read, see, hear. Be careful of what you fill your mind with. Whether it is music, books, TV, movies, even spoken words. GOD cannot co-,exist with satan. As I read recently, "if you shack up with satan don't expect GOD to pay the rent".
Librarians tend to have a herd-like mentality and go with the flow of their environment. The MLS degree is comparable to an Education degree in terms of rigor. ALA has been left-leaning for years. Their speakers at ALA conferences were overwhelming left-leaning. They recently elected a Marxist as president who was all -out pushing a political agenda. Somewhere along the line, they abandoned the neutral stance in favor of political advocacy and it impacts their book selections. I find it ironic that the left was all about the "Me, Too" movement a few years back. Now they go out of their way to sexualize children, which will lead to higher levels of sexual harassment.