Hundreds of Books Pulled from Monroe County Schools Under Tennessee Law
Books covering history, race, and LGBTQ+ topics are disappearing from Monroe County school libraries under Tennessee’s Age-Appropriate Materials Act, sparking concerns over censorship and access to literature according to WBIR.
A total of 574 books—including classics like To Kill a Mockingbird, Fahrenheit 451, The Outsiders, and The Grapes of Wrath—were removed as the district sought to comply with recent amendments to the law. These changes require schools to ban books containing “inappropriate” content, including references to sexual themes, excessive violence, or nudity. However, critics argue the law is vague and inconsistently enforced, as other Tennessee counties removed far fewer books—Knox County pulled 48, while Rutherford County removed 150.
A Parent Speaks Out
Monroe County parent Kacey Paul, who has a sixth-grader in the district, expressed frustration over the sweeping book removals.
“They were looking at removing things that have to do with the Holocaust and World Wars, and it’s just insane to me,” Paul said. “Some of those books were ones I was required to read in school.”
She also noted that popular young adult novels like Divergent, The Hunger Games, and Twilight were among the banned books.
“These were the books that made me love reading. Taking them away from kids is only going to discourage them,” she added.
School District Remains Tight-Lipped
Monroe County Schools Superintendent Kristi Windsor declined multiple interview requests but confirmed the removals in an email:
“Monroe County Schools took necessary steps during the summer of 2024 and into the 2024-2025 school year to ensure compliance with recent amendments to the Tennessee Age-Appropriate Materials Act.”
However, parents say they were not notified or consulted before the books were removed. When asked for further clarification, Windsor deflected responsibility, stating that any questions about the law should be directed to its legislative sponsors in the Tennessee General Assembly.
A Growing Trend in Book Bans
The removals in Monroe County mirror a national surge in book bans, with over 10,000 books pulled from U.S. school libraries during the 2023-24 school year, according to PEN America. Many of these bans disproportionately affect books addressing historical events, racial identity, LGBTQ+ themes, and social justice.
Critics argue that these bans limit intellectual freedom and historical awareness, with some parents and educators warning that erasing key books from libraries could harm students’ education.
“For a state that already struggles in education rankings, pulling books off shelves isn’t the solution,” Paul said.
With no official notification process for parents and vague legal definitions determining what makes a book inappropriate, many fear more removals could follow, leaving students with fewer opportunities to engage with diverse and challenging literature.
A full list of banned books from Monroe County Schools is available online.