Education Board Reverses Book Ban By Harford County Schools

HARFORD COUNTY, MD ? The Maryland Board of Education has reversed Harford County schools' decision to ban the illustrated novel "Flamer" from its libraries.

The county school board had voted to ban the book during a closed-door session in June after a parent appealed a school district committee's approval of the book.

"This was the first formal appeal under the newly finalized book review procedure ? a process nearly two years in the making, developed with input from staff, board members and members of the public," Harford County Board of Education President Aaron Poynton said in a statement this summer. "The decision we made will likely set a precedent for future challenges, and we recognize the importance of clarity."

Related: Book Banned By Harford County Education Board, Parents Speak Out About Decision

The state Board of Education recommended that Harford County schools update its evaluation procedures to "ensure transparency, provide opportunities for public participation and handle future reconsideration matters," according to CBS News.

"We are thrilled and heartened about (the) state board of education decision to overturn the Harford County Board of Education decision earlier this year to ban the book 'Flamer' from all school libraries. Book banning has no place in our country," said DeLane Lewis with Together We Will Harford County, the organization that filed to appeal. "We hope that this decision puts an end to book banning in Harford County, and in our state."

Penned by author Michael Curato, Flamer is about a teen named Aiden Navarro who is away at camp and learning to deal with bullies, blossoming feelings for a boy and new friendships.

"We want to curate the best library possible, so there's just no room for sexually explicit and vulgar materials in the school library," Suzie Scott, chair of Moms For Liberty Harford County, said in July.