Local News Author holds discussion after novel was banned in Harford County schools
The author of the illustrated novel "Flamer" spoke to a crowd in Harford County on Tuesday after his book was banned by the county's Board of Education.
The fireside chat in Bel Air, Maryland, included an audience question-and-answer segment and a general discussion about the book and book banning. Event organizers said the discussion was sold out.
The event was sponsored by Upper Chesapeake Bay Pride Foundation and the Harford County chapter of the American Association of University Women.
The book, "Flamer" by Mike Curato, was previously approved by district committees. However, parents said the school board voted to ban the book during a closed-door session in late June, after public appeals.
This was the first book to be removed by the district after it created a process to review books flagged by concerned parents.
Author holds discussion after novel was banned in Harford County schools
The author of the illustrated novel "Flamer" spoke to a crowd in Harford County on Tuesday after his book was banned by the county's Board of Education.
The fireside chat in Bel Air, Maryland, included an audience question-and-answer segment and a general discussion about the book and book banning. Event organizers said the discussion was sold out.
The event was sponsored by Upper Chesapeake Bay Pride Foundation and the Harford County chapter of the American Association of University Women.
The book, "Flamer" by Mike Curato, was previously approved by district committees. However, parents said the school board voted to ban the book during a closed-door session in late June, after public appeals.
This was the first book to be removed by the district after it created a process to review books flagged by concerned parents.
Curato discusses banned book "Flamer"
The controversial novel is about a teenage boy who "navigates friendships, deals with bullies, and spends time with Elias (a boy he can't stop thinking about), he finds himself on a path of self-discovery and acceptance," according to the author.
Curato told WJZ the book is meant to help young people who are going through difficult times and those who are trying to find themselves.
"A lot of people who ban 'Flamer' don't talk about how the book is about suicidal ideation and prevention," Curato said. "That's why I made this book, because I know that there are kids out there right now who are going through exactly what I went through in 1995."
Parents' on book ban
This book and its ban have sparked debates between parents and Board of Education members for months. Some argue they want their children to have access to all material.
"I would say I'm frustrated that people are using their political ideations or political thoughts to guide what we are allowed to teach and learn about in schools," said Olivia Rines, a parent of an elementary school student in the district.
Other parents have spoken out against the book at several board meetings, saying it isn't appropriate.
"We want to curate the best library possible, so there's just no room for sexually explicit and vulgar materials in the school library," Suzie Scott, Chair of Moms For Liberty Harford County, said in July.
The group sent the following statement to WJZ regarding Tuesday's book discussion:
"Contrary to the shrill accusations and name-calling being directed at parents, taxpayers and school board members who are trying to uphold a basic community standard of what is and is not age-appropriate material for young readers, no parent or Moms for Liberty member is calling for any book to be removed from bookstores, public libraries or Amazon. Challenging the placement of obscene materials in school libraries is not censorship or banning. It is a reasonable demand to prevent children from being exposed to age-inappropriate materials," the statement read.
The decision to ban "Flamer" has also prompted division among board members who had a heated debate at a July meeting.
Curato said he thinks these types of bans diminish people's rights.