Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick warned school districts to remove explicit books from library shelves or the Legislature will take additional action to force the removal. Patrick suggested legislation to ensure that districts that fail to remove explicit materials lose a letter grade from their “A-F” accountability ratings.
Patrick was joined by conservative activist Bonnie Wallace, who appeared on his podcast last week discussing the explicit books she has found in school libraries. Patrick said the episode has reached more than 625,000 views, asserting it is a subject Texas parents care about.
“Senate Bill 13 says [explicit books] should be removed, but what we’re finding out is about 80 percent of the school districts have not done anything, and some school districts push back even when they’re told about the books they have,” said Patrick during Wednesday’s press conference.
He made a point of stating that the purpose of the law is not to “ban books,” but to ensure age appropriate materials are accessible to students. Patrick argued that the books are not “banned” because anyone can buy them.
Patrick noted that superintendents and teachers may not always know these books deemed explicit by SB 13 are available on the shelves, but the librarians do.
“The librarians are the ones responsible,” said Patrick “The American Association of Librarians is one of the most leftist, woke groups in America. They train our librarians, and they think these are just fine.”
Bonnie Wallace gave several examples of some of the most popular explicit books found in school libraries.
“Let’s Talk About It” by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan received the 2022 Great Graphic Novel of the Year for children 12 and up. Wallace explained that this book is the first book she found with a disclaimer of responsibility for “any adverse effects which may result from the use or application of information contained in this book.”
According to Wallace, the book “tells children to try sex toys,” “that the safe place to research kinks and fantasies is the internet”, and to “go follow your favorite porn performer.”
“Boy Toy” by Barry Lyga is about a 12-year-old boy being groomed by his teacher on his first day of sixth grade.
“It glamorizes and trivializes sex with your teachers,” said Wallace. “Has anybody noticed that we have a crisis in Texas? Every week there is a new teacher being accused of having sex with their student.”
Other titles highlighted by Wallace and Patrick included “Crank” by Ellen Hopkins, which is banned from Texas prisons because of depictions of rape and violent sex. Sapphire’s novel “Push” was adapted into the movie “Precious” after 75 percent of the graphic sex in the book was deleted, according to Wallace.
Wallace said these examples are only four out of 2,198 explicit titles that are available on school library shelves throughout Texas.
Patrick told school districts to “be aware” that if they continue to refuse to remove these books before the next legislative session, Texas lawmakers will pass legislation to drop the school’s letter accountability rating down one if a single explicit book is found on a single school library shelf.
“We are not going to have this filth and vulgarity and violence of graphic scenes of rape, of stories of teachers and students having a sexual affair in our school libraries, so we’re going to put an end to this,” said Patrick.
Patrick recommended superintendents and principals check on whether any of these books are available in their school library catalogs.
“Don’t bury your head in the sand and say, ‘I didn’t know’,” said Patrick. “Maybe you didn’t know. Today, you know.”
For parents, grandparents, and Texans who are concerned about these books possibly being in their school district, Wallace recommended viewing her “dirty book” list at recoveramerica.com.
Wallace also encouraged parents to check out takebacktheclassroom.com, which shows the number and location of such books by state and district.
