The Supreme Court will hear oral argument next month in a lawsuit by religiously diverse parents against Maryland's Montgomery County Public Schools for refusing to notify and let them opt out their young children from sexually themed LGBTQ "storybooks" in the K-5 English Language Arts curriculum. 

Below are the books MCPS currently requires, its descriptions of each and grade level, according to its "LGBTQ-Inclusive Texts Approved for Instructional Use," last updated June 13, 2023. 

Read about the case

The original list is preserved as an exhibit in the plaintiffs' first complaint, and the two books removed by MCPS during litigation are marked [REMOVED]. The plaintiffs' opening brief mentions two others not on either list, What Are Your Words? (genderfluid pronouns) and Jacob's Room to Choose ("gender-free bathrooms").

Prekindergarten and Head Start

Pride Puppy [REMOVED]: "A young child and their family are having a wonderful time together celebrating Pride Day―meeting up with Grandma, making new friends and eating ice cream. But then something terrible happens: their dog gets lost in the parade! Luckily, there are lots of people around to help reunite the pup with his family."

Kindergarten through 5th grade

Uncle Bobby's Wedding: "a fun-loving girl named Chloe and her Uncle Bobby, whom she adores. But then she finds out Uncle Bobby is getting married, and meets Bobby's intended, Jamie, and worries that Uncle Bobby won't have time to spend with her anymore."

Intersection Allies: We Make Room for All: "the nine interconnected characters proudly describe themselves and their backgrounds, involving topics that range from a physical disability to language brokering, offering an opportunity to take pride in a personal story and connect to the collective struggle for justice."

My Rainbow [REMOVED] "tells the story of a dedicated mom who puts love into action as she creates the perfect rainbow-colored wig for her transgender daughter, based on the real-life experience of mother-daughter advocate duo Trinity and DeShanna Neal. Warm morning sunlight and love fill the Neal home."

Prince & Knight: "a children's picture book authored by Daniel Haack and illustrated by Stevie Lewis. Prince & Knight tells the story of a young prince who falls in love with a knight after the two work together to battle a dragon threatening the kingdom. At the conclusion of the book, the two wed."

Love, Violet: "Valentine’s Day brings a shy child named Violet the chance to connect with her crush, Mira, in Sullivan Wild’s uplifting wintry tale...a race through the snow – choreographically captured with dancelike grace in Chua’s simple, light-filled watercolors―brings the duo together at last, making the holiday one of joyful acceptance."

Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope: "In this exuberant companion to Jodie Patterson's adult memoir, The Bold World, Patterson shares her son Penelope's frustrations and triumphs on his journey to share himself with the world. Penelope's experiences show children that it always makes you stronger when you are true to yourself and who you really are."