Edmond Board Votes to Keep ‘The Glass Castle’ in School Libraries

EDMOND, Okla. — The Edmond Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to keep “The Glass Castle” in high school libraries, despite calls from Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters to remove the memoir. The decision came after a parent-led committee reviewed the book and recommended its retention.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters had previously requested the removal of “The Glass Castle” and “The Kite Runner” from school libraries, citing concerns about age-appropriate content. However, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that Walters lacked the authority to enforce such a removal, prompting the Edmond Board of Education to take up the issue.

“The Glass Castle,” a memoir by Jeannette Walls, recounts the author’s challenging upbringing in poverty, including themes of family dysfunction and resilience. While the book contains references to sexual abuse, it is not a central theme. A committee of parents and educators reviewed the book and unanimously supported its availability to high school students.

“When I read the book, I did not see that they were glorifying child predatory behavior or anything like that. I felt like it was a biography, and it was just her experience growing up,” said Marcus Jones, a District 5 board member.

The Oklahoma State Department of Education released a statement following the decision, emphasizing the importance of age-appropriate materials in schools. “Oklahoma parents want age-appropriate materials in our schools. Some materials are not appropriate for younger age groups and should not be accessible without parents’ permission,” the statement read.

Edmond Public Schools also offers an opt-out option for parents who wish to restrict their child’s access to specific materials. “We want our parents to be involved in all levels of their student’s education. There’s a process if you feel a particular material should be completely removed from the library,” said Jeff Bardach, a spokesperson for Edmond Public Schools.

Parents can access a list of available library books online, allowing them to monitor and manage their child’s reading choices. The board did not address “The Kite Runner” during the vote, as no formal request for its removal was made.