A graphic novel with pornographic visuals and elicit language was found in a Costa Mesa elementary school’s library shelves, but City Council has remained silent on the issue, despite outrage from the student’s families who felt a lack of parental consent.
A third grade student at Wilson Elementary School in Costa Mesa found the graphic book “Flamer” at their school library on the K-6 shelves. The book contains pictures and descriptions of graphic underage sex acts and supporting characters going through puberty and exploring sexual inclinations.
Parents have decried the Newport-Mesa school district for allowing the inappropriate book to be placed in an elementary school library.
Additionally, some residents voiced displeasure that their district council representative, Arlis Reynolds and Mayor John Stephens, have remained silent on the issue.
The book is intended for at least high-school aged readers and is recommended only by parental guidance due to its graphic descriptions of sexuality, masculinity, self-harm, bullying, and offensive language.
A group of parents took issue with the “Flamer” book being available for schoolchildren in the K-6 age range and spoke at a late spring school district meeting to call for an investigation. The investigation is underway but has made no updates available to parents or the general public.
“I read this book – it was terrifying,” said one Wilson Elementary School mother Rosa Mejia at a Newport-Mesa School Board meeting. “I do not know how these books got here to our school. I just want them out of the library.”
Should the Costa Mesa City Council have remained silent or should they be opening up a dialogue about the matter with Costa Mesa families?
