Update: A review committee unanimously decided to keep the book, though an appeal is possible. NCAC’s Kids’ Right to Read Project has written the Fauquier County Public Schools superintendent and board with regard to a challenge to David Levithan’s Two Boys Kissing in the Fauquier High School library, because of objections to the same-sex themes explored in the book. We strongly urge Fauquier officials to retain the book because the objections that have been raised provide no legal basis for its removal and raise serious constitutional concerns.
The 2013 book has been highly recommended by critics and educators alike, with enthusiastic reviews from publications including School Library Journal, Booklist, Publishers Weekly and the Wall Street Journal. This is only the latest challenge to a book because of LGBTQ-related content. That they are attempting to remove a book from the library, where students should have the opportunity to choose books for themselves, is a particularly bold affront to free expression in education.