Leander ISD pulls 11 books from curriculum after year-long review

Leander Independent School District will be removing 11 books from high schoolers' curriculum after a year-long review of titles parents deemed inappropriate. This marks the final step in the district's plan to address a debate around student reading materials that began last fall. Parents complained about certain books available in English classes, arguing they contained inappropriate content and were not challenging enough for high schoolers. The district responded by removing some of the books until they could undergo a review process — an action that's caused backlash from groups like PEN America who are calling out LISD for censorship.

The 11 books, which include V for Vendetta and The Handmaid’s Tale: The Graphic Novel, were not required reading, but part of student "book clubs." In English classes, teachers have students select one book from a list of around 15 to read and discuss in groups. Students are not required to read any particular book, and they can also ask to choose a book that's not on the provided lists. At school board meetings and on social media last school year, parents argued the books shouldn't be used in school because they contained sexual content, sexual assault references, foul language and graphic images. Following the backlash, the district had the books reviewed by a group of staff, parents and community members called the Community Curriculum Advisory Committee.