A ‘great shock’: Julianne Moore’s children’s book under review by Trump administration
Guardian4 days ago
Julianne Moore's Children's Book Removed From DoD Schools
Above: Actress Julianne Moore attends the 2024 ELLE Women In Hollywood Celebration on Nov.19, 2024. Image copyright: Maya Dehlin Spach/Staff/FilmMagic via Getty Images
The Facts
Actress Julianne Moore's 2007 children's book "Freckleface Strawberry" has been temporarily removed from Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools for compliance review, as part of a broader evaluation of materials following US Pres. Donald Trump's executive orders on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.
The book, which tells the story of a 7-year-old girl learning to accept her freckles, is among several materials being evaluated alongside other titles, including "No Truth Without Ruth" about late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and "Becoming Nicole" about a transgender actress.
The DoDEA, which oversees 161 schools serving nearly 70K children from military and civilian defense families, states that no materials have been permanently banned, but rather they've been relocated to professional collections for evaluation.
The Spin
Anti-Trump narrative
The removal of books from school libraries, even temporarily, represents a concerning erosion of First Amendment rights and academic freedom. This limits students' access to diverse perspectives and stories that reflect their own experiences.
Pro-Trump narrative
This review process ensures educational materials align with executive orders and department guidance, maintaining appropriate content standards for military families. Materials are undergoing proper evaluation by professional staff.