Virginia school district approves putting Brave Books in school libraries

A Virginia school board has officially accepted the donation of conservative children’s books for school libraries.

The board of Spotsylvania County Public Schools (SCPS) approved a variety of donations during its Monday meeting, including 48 from Brave Books, a conservative Christian publishing company.

Brave Books’ donation includes two titles from former actor Kirk Cameron who reclaimed the spotlight by hosting family-oriented story hours around the nation.

His most recent event in Alabama – a collaboration with former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines – was a smash hit, despite efforts to cancel the event.

However, not all Spotsylvania citizens are happy about the free books.

“As a school board, if you are going to say that some books aren’t allowed because they promote LGBTQ+ values and you get rid of those because they are ideological, then you can’t bring these in,” said mother Melissa Floyd.

But school leadership defended the board’s decision.

“Kirk Cameron’s Brave Books are appropriate selections for kids,” SCPS Superintendent Mark Taylor told The Lion. “They impart moral lessons consistent with the mandate of Virginia law.”

SCPS received copies of numerous books, including Little Lives Matter, a book about the sanctity of life, and Elephants Are Not Birds, which discusses gender identity. 

The school board also voted on a new policy regarding transgender students, aligning itself with Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

The Virginia Department of Education established a model for districts to protect the integrity of single-sex spaces and activities. The standards require that “the appropriate participation of students [be] determined by sex rather than by gender or gender identity.”

One parent told SCPS board members they would have blood on their hands if they didn’t cater to transgender students, while others affirmed the right of parents to raise children.  

“The parent and child engagement policy affirms the importance of parental rights and the centrality of parents’ roles in navigating family issues with their children,” Taylor told The Lion. 

Youngkin has firmly established himself as pro-parent and is even holding a “Parents Matter” townhall series around the state to address education issues.