The Orange County School Board on Jan. 13 voted to retain the middle-school title Do Animals Fall in Love? after a district literacy committee recommended keeping the book available in school libraries.

District staff explained that the District Literacy Council — composed of educators, a media specialist, a parent and a counselor — reviewed the challenge and recommended retention. “The review committee unanimously recommended retention,” said a member of the district team summarizing the process.

Public speakers urged different outcomes: some argued the book is factual, age-appropriate and aligned to middle-school science standards; others described the book’s anthropomorphic language and illustrations as sexualized and inappropriate for middle-school students. Member Farrant described the book as “perversion all over it” and said she would vote to remove all district copies. Supporters including parents and committee members said individual parental restrictions are available and that the committee followed the district process.

After board discussion the motion to uphold the committee recommendation to retain the book passed, with Member Farrant and Chair Jacobs recorded as voting in opposition. Board members who supported retention cited reliance on the review committee’s professional judgment and the statutory process for challenges; opponents said the board should be vigilant about age-appropriateness and parental rights.

The board’s decision preserves existing access but also highlights continuing disagreement among board members and in the community about library content and procedural transparency.