Note: Because of the explicit imagery in this book, links to images from the book will not be included in this article.
With a new law requiring ratings for books set to be implemented next month, Fort Worth Independent School District is refusing to remove certain explicit graphic novels from library shelves.
Last month, Texas Scorecard reported on several books available to children in FWISD libraries, including “Wait, What?: A Comic Book Guide to Relationships, Bodies, and Growing Up” by Isabella Rotman and Heather Corinna, “Flamer” by Mike Curato, and “Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe.
These books use graphic depictions to “teach” children about bodies, sexual and gender identity, masturbation, and various sex acts.
After Libs of Tiktok and independent journalist Sarah Fields posted about these lewd books, FWISD administrators caved to pressure and reportedly “scrambled” to remove such books from district libraries—though they have not yet been permanently removed from FWISD libraries.
Now, another explicit book has been brought to light as available to children within FWISD.
“Blankets” by Craig Thompson is available to children ages 14 and up.
The book includes extremely graphic depictions of minor nudity, the demonization of Christians, drug use, sex between minors, child rape, vulgar and explicit language, acts of urinating on others, acts of consuming feces, pedophilia, sexual assault and abuse, and more.
FWISD mom and activist Hollie Plemons posted on social media that after she had discovered “Blankets” was available to children, she immediately shared her concerns, along with pictures of the book, with FWISD administrators.
However, the response she received was unexpected.
“The FWISD head of libraries, Victor Chapa, has refused to remove the book,” she posted.
Plemons explained that without public pressure, FWISD will likely maintain its stance and continue refusing to remove the book.
“Doing the right thing by children, parents & taxpayers never occurs to FWISD unless they get pressured or legally forced to do it,” she said.
The students are other people’s children, they do not belong to the district! Parents have rights & currently they are being completely trampled by FWISD. Why are schools so dead set on stripping children of their innocence behind parents backs? Is it to fulfill the communist goal of destroying the American family?
“It’s disheartening,” Plemons continued. “I truly believed the district would be appreciative. I brought this book to their attention & they would want to promptly remove it considering the content but no.”
Plemons says there are currently laws against allowing children to access adult content and FWISD may be failing to follow such laws.
House Bill 900, another law to protect children from obscene materials, was passed into law during the 88th Legislative Session. It will require books such as these to be rated and removed from Texas schools.
This law will take effect on September 1.
As of publication, Chapa did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s request for comment.
