Controversial book remains in OCPS libraries

An Orange County School Board decision to keep a book that discusses animals’ sexual reproduction in four school libraries has sparked debate among parents. 

A parent’s concern about the book, “Do Animals Fall in Love?” sparked board discussion at its meeting Tuesday, Jan. 13.

“The entire book’s purpose is to describe sex acts between different types of animals,” the parent wrote in a request for consideration. “There’s even information and depictions of animals having group sex.”

A literacy committee discussed the book and recommended schools maintain it, claiming it has educational value. 

The board voted 6-2, with board members Alicia Farrant and School Board Chair Teresa Jacobs dissenting, to keep the book available at Avalon, Water Spring, Wolf Lake and Meadow Woods middle schools. 

“My youngest is in fifth grade, I can’t imagine him being in sixth grade and being handed a book like this,” Farrant said. “No, thank you. … Why would we want to have library reading material that doesn’t accent or isn’t a nice addition to the curriculum? It’s just an added perversion.”

However, another parent said she strongly supports retaining the book. 

“The review committee unanimously recommended retention and specifically noted the book’s educational value and alignment with sixth- and seventh-grade science standards,” she said. “The content of this book is age-appropriate, factual and well within students’ ability to understand.” 

However, Farrant said she asked Superintendent Dr. Maria Vasquez if any students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade receive any instruction through the state standards regarding animal masturbation or reproduction, and she was met with a “no.” 

Farrant said many parents have reached out to her appalled books like this are in schools. 

“Many telling me, ‘Please don’t stop the fight,’” she said. “Parents said they protect their kids at home and they expect their children to be protected at school, but they’re actually realizing this isn’t the case.” 

At the board meeting, District 1 Board Member Angie Gallo said, “It’s just anatomy.” 

“When we take biology and anatomy, and we make it filthy or gross or disgusting, it’s disheartening,” she said. “But I don’t view (the book) that way. I view it as the cycle of life.” 

Other members said they trust the committee’s review process and because of that, they voted to retain the book. 

Regardless of the board’s decision, Farrant is determined to continue to fight for this matter, even when a decision already was made. 

“I will continue to fight, even when the crowd goes quiet,” she said. “I will fight because this is a hill I’ll die on, making sure that our children’s innocence is always protected.” 

She believes every parent should be aware of what their children have access to, and should be able to rely on OCPS to not corrupt their children with inappropriate content. 

She said some parents told her this is the very reason their children don’t go to OCPS. 

“That’s a huge concern,” she said. “We lost almost 7,000 students just this last year alone. So we have to be looking everywhere to see what is it that parents are wanting, and if it’s a wholesome classical education, then that’s what we should be giving the parents.” 

She said there’s going to be different opinions regarding anything, but she strongly believes the majority of parents do not want this type of material for their middle-schoolers. 

If parents are concerned regarding a book at their child’s school, Farrant said they should email the librarian and principal to let them know of their disapproval, and if possible, they should file a request for reconsideration with OCPS.