ROCKWOOD SECRETLY SEEKING "EXPERT" ADVICE ON WHETHER THIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LIBRARY BOOK SHOULD ONLY BE USED IN THERAPY SESSIONS; YET KEEPS EXPOSING KIDS BY LEAVING IT IN THE LIBRARIES WHILE THEY INVESTIGATE

EXCERPTS FROM THE BOOK

"Alex is both boy and girl. This is Alex's gender identity."

"JJ is neither a boy or a girl. This is JJ's gender identity."

"Alex and JJ are both non-binary."

That's in the book that a Rockwood book review committee has expressed concerns about. A Rockwood official told us the concerns include that maybe it should only be read with adult supervision or in a therapist's office. 

The book is called, "It Feels Good To Be Yourself." 

Even though administrators are not sure it should be in our school libraries, it's still in 17 of them: 16 elementary schools, and one high school. 

The book was formally challenged in December of 2021. The district still hasn't made a decision. 

The parent who challenged the book learned the reasons for the delay when she reached out  for an update because she had challenged the book months ago. She said Dr. Willott told her they are seeking "expert" opinions. 

BUT, when we asked Dr. Willott about the status of the book, she only said, "The results of this committee will be presented at a future Board of Education meeting."

Rockwood knows it has already confused a second grader who read the book and, that it has concerned parents. It was reported to the librarian in at least one elementary school.  We emailed that librarian Wednesday and asked if there are any restrictions on access to the book. We did not get a reply.

Another Rockwood parent (not the challenger) told us about what happened when her 8 year old daughter read it in that library.

"She has no clue what gender identity is. She said the book made her feel weird and she did not like it. She was confused. That is the part that makes me so upset. 

She said 3 times it was weird and she couldn’t seem to understand how parents and doctors could be wrong.”

—Rockwood elementary school parent

Now that we know the review committee also has concerns, why is it STILL in so many Rockwood school libraries? 

Dr. Shelley Willott would only tell us a decision is pending. So, we emailed again, asking why they are not removing the book, pending that decision. 

Here's her reply:

"As an employee of the district, my role is to follow Regulation 6241. The regulation states "Access to challenged material shall not be restricted during the reconsideration process." The committee's decision, along with their rationale, will be included in the final report that will be submitted to the Board of Education." 

Dr. Shelley Willott

If Rockwood was still operating under its old rules for official reviews of books that parents are concerned about, the book would have been pulled and no children would have access to it until a decision was made.

Rockwood changed its rules this school year and no longer pulls materials pending decisions, so, "It Feels Good To Be Yourself" continues to be available to children as young as 5 years old, as it has been since last fall. The challenge committee reportedly has met but needed more time to discuss further. 

ALSO IN THE BOOK:

It says a baby's body might be a clue to the baby's gender, but not always.

It introduces these terms:

Cisgender, transgender, non-binary, gender identity. intersex, gender expression.

NOT ABOUT BANNING; IT'S ABOUT OVERREACH

More than one parent has complained about this book. Not because they want to ban the book outright, but, because they feel the topic is for parents to handle. Not schools. 

More from the parent above, who confided in us about the types of things her 2nd grader said after she read it:

"It was weird and talked about how if you are a girl and feel like a boy you can become one. And that sometimes doctors and parents make mistakes."

The parent said the librarian told her the book was displayed prominently in the library because it’s a Dogwood award winner.

Missouri Dogwood Nonfiction Book Award Nominee List (K-2) (MASL) 2020-21

“That is how my daughter found it and checked it out- title and pics would be very appealing to her.”

Rockwood does not read books before they order them for our school libraries.

They choose books based primarily on awards, which this book has, and on professional reviews.

To view a read aloud of the whole book:

 It Feels Good to be Yourself - Read Aloud Book

(See screenshots of pages below.)

Nearly every elementary school library in Rockwood has this book.

16 Rockwood elementary school libraries and one high school library:

Babler Elementary Geggie Elementary

Ballwin Elementary Green Pines Elementary

Blevins Elementary Kehrs Mill Elementary

Bowles Elementary Kellison Elementary          

Chesterfield Elementary Pond Elementary

Ellisville Elementary      Ridge Meadows Elementary

Eureka Elementary Westridge Elementary

Fairway Elementary Woerther Elementary

Lafayette High School

Source: Destiny library database

When: 2021-2022 school year