Kara Bell, a mother and former school board candidate, expressed outrage at a Lake Travis ISD board meeting after reading a passage from the book Out of Darkness, found in middle school libraries. The explicit content led her to criticize the district, saying, “Do not teach them about anal sex!”

The district removed the book and announced a review of its contents. A spokesperson clarified that while the district has discretion over library materials, it must adhere to First Amendment rights and may only remove books if they are “pervasively vulgar” or unsuitable for education.

Bell, upset by the book’s references, argued that middle school students should not be exposed to such topics and called for a focus on education, not public health.