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**links fixed**
MEETINGS FINAL TEUSDAY OF THE MONTH
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF HOLIDAYS
Hi everyone,
Parents deserve to know what their children have access to in school—before exposure happens, not after.
That was the focus of our recent meeting. For those who were unable to attend, here is a detailed recap of what was discussed:
What We Covered
1. Real-World Impact
We began by sharing student experiences that highlighted how early exposure to explicit content can have real emotional and developmental effects. This issue is not theoretical—it is already impacting students.
2. Adolescent Brain Development
Research shows that the brain—particularly the prefrontal cortex, which governs impulse control and decision-making—continues developing into the mid-20s.
This means children and teens are more vulnerable to high-reward stimuli, including explicit content, and less equipped to process it appropriately.
3. The “Young Adult” Misconception
We discussed how the term “Young Adult” is a marketing label, not a developmental standard.
A book labeled YA is not automatically appropriate for minors, despite how it may be categorized in libraries or promoted to schools.
4. Awards vs. Appropriateness
Many books are defended as “award-winning”, but awards evaluate literary merit—not age-appropriateness.
An award does not indicate that a book has been reviewed for:
- Developmental suitability
- Parental expectations
- Alignment with local school policies
5. Literary Merit ≠ Age Appropriateness
We emphasized the distinction between quality and suitability.
A book can be well-written and culturally significant—and still contain content that is not appropriate for younger students.
6. Lack of a Book Rating System
Unlike movies, television, and video games, books have no standardized content rating system.
This means materials containing explicit sexual content, graphic themes, or mature subject matter can be accessed by students without warning or parental awareness. Rating system is located on http://www.RatedBooks.org.
7. Current District Policy & Michigan Law
Chippewa Valley Schools, for example, states it is committed to age-appropriate materials, yet the current system relies heavily on:
- Book Reconsideration Forms (after concerns are raised)
- Opt-out processes (after exposure is possible)
We also reviewed relevant Michigan law, including:
- MCL 722.675 (prohibiting dissemination of sexually explicit material to minors, with exemptions)
- MCL 380.1507 (defining how sensitive content must be delivered within structured instruction and with parental notice)
This raises an important question:
Are materials being made accessible outside of these safeguards aligned with that framework?
8. Tools for Parents
We demonstrated how parents can use RatedBooks.org to review content and look up books currently available in Macomb County schools via http://www.lib.misd.net.
This allows families to verify content independently, rather than relying on assumptions or labels.
We are advocating for a commonsense, consistent approach:
- A clear content rating system for books
- Restricted access to explicit materials
- Parental OPT-IN consent before access
This approach does not remove access—it ensures parents are part of the decision-making process before exposure occurs.
Why This Matters
Currently, the system often places parents in a reactive position—
Exposure can happen first, and awareness comes later.
We believe a better approach is one that prioritizes:
- Transparency
- Consistency
- Parental involvement
Get Involved
🔍 Look up books at RatedBooks.org (http://www.ratedbooks.org) as well as your local school district http://www.lib.misd.net
🌐 For more detailed information on this issue and others, visit CVSwatch.com ( http://www.CVSwatch.com) — a trusted and credible community resource📧 Contact your school board members, ask questions, and start getting these books out of your local schools 🏫 Attend Board of Education meetings📣 Share this information with other parents and grandparents
Join Us
We meet the last Tuesday of every month at 6:30 PM
👉 Next meeting: April 28 (Topic TBD)
Moms, dads, and grandparents are all welcome.
If you’re interested in becoming a member of Moms for Liberty, we encourage you to join us and be part of the conversation and the solution.
This is not about banning books.
It’s about ensuring parents are informed, involved, and empowered when it comes to their children.
Thank you for your time and continued engagement.
In Liberty,
Alecia and Sheryl
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