List of books removed for review by Collier County schools released

Reporter: Amy Galo Writer: Paul Dolan
Published: Updated:
banned books
Books in a school library. CREDIT: WINK News

There’s a chance the best book you had to read for school has been removed for review by Collier County schools.

Just a handful of examples from the list of books that have been removed from the Collier County shelves include “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Flowers in the Attic” and many more.

In accordance with a new state law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, it is meant to keep sexual content out of schools. However, as parents look through the list, they don’t understand why some are there in the first place.

More than 300 books were pulled from Collier County school shelves.

“It seems excessive. There are a lot of books on here I grew up with, and I’m just really confused,” said Virginia Bollinger, a mother to a Collier County student.

“I’ve made it 65 years on these books, and I’m perfectly fine,” said Tony Vack, a Naples resident.

Among the hundreds of books are 18 by Stephen King, seven novels written by Anne Rice, one from Leo Tolstoy and three from Ernest Hemingway.

Collier County school administrators said following an extensive review, media specialists determined these books had to go under a new Florida law prohibiting sexual content from appearing in schools.

“‘Along Came a Spider?’ I feel like I need to do some reading because I’m confused why that’s even on here,” said Bollinger.

And parents WINK News spoke to said they were never notified.

“I actually appreciate you showing me this,” said Bollinger.

Bolliger wishes she’d had a say in what books got to stay. While Vack said he doesn’t get why the state should be involved in the first place.

“This should be left up to the parents, and the government’s getting too involved,” said Vack.

“Don’t tell me what to do, what to eat, how to live,” said Gayle Childs of Naples. “Make America free again.”

All of the books from the list have been removed. Some of the books require parental permission, and some of the books were removed by grade level. However, the district did say it plans to do an additional review of the books already listed.

The full list of books can be found through this link.

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