Utah schools end program to read kids more books on diversity after parent outrage

Utah’s Murray School District recently moved to suspend a program created to introduce students to more diverse and inclusive literature following backlash from parents, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.

The controversy reportedly began after a third-grader attending the school district’s Horizon Elementary brought in the book “Call Me Max” for read-aloud story time. The book tells the story of a young transgender boy who educates his classmates and fellow students on his identity.

According to the Tribune, some families responded to the action with concern and reached out to the school board to express their anger that the book was read to their children without their permission. Murray School District spokesman Doug Perry told the news outlet that the district is now looking to evaluate all 38 books included in its “equity book bundles” program.

“As a district, we recognize and acknowledge the concerns,” the letter sent to families stated, according to the Tribune. “We are committed to learning from this experience and doing better.”

Though “Call Me Max” was not included in the program, which focused on addressing race and racism and introducing students to more authors of color in addition to some titles that include the LGBTQ+ community, Perry said all books in the program will be vetted to ensure similar topics to those discussed in “Call Me Max” are avoided, the Tribune reported.

The school district also faced backlash for its removal of the program near the start of Black History Month.