Conroe ISD bans King graphic novel, overrules committee

**Conroe ISD Board Votes to Ban Billie Jean King Graphic Novel, Overruling Review Committees**

CONROE, Texas – The Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 6-1 on Tuesday, June 18, to remove the graphic novel *Love All: A Billie Jean King Story* from high school libraries, a decision that overturns recommendations from both district library staff and an independent review committee.

The ban, effective immediately, targets the biographical graphic novel by Sarah Warren, which tells the story of tennis legend Billie Jean King’s life, career, and activism, including her journey as an LGBTQ+ icon. The book has been available on Conroe ISD high school library shelves since December 2023.

The challenge to *Love All* originated in October 2023 when Jamie Miller, a parent from College Park High School, filed a formal complaint. Miller contended the book was “sexually explicit,” specifically citing a depiction of a kiss between Billie Jean King and her female partner. She argued this content was inappropriate for high school students.

In line with district policy, the book underwent a two-tiered review process. First, Conroe ISD’s professional library staff evaluated the title, recommending its retention. Subsequently, an independent review committee, composed of parents, teachers, and librarians from the district, also thoroughly reviewed *Love All*. This committee concurred with the library staff, finding the graphic novel to be educationally relevant, well-written, and suitable for the age group, specifically noting its historical context and positive portrayal of an important historical figure.

However, despite these unanimous recommendations from internal experts and community members, the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees opted to overrule their findings. Board Member Datren Williams cast the sole dissenting vote against the ban, advocating for the book’s retention and the principle of intellectual freedom for students.

“Our librarians and the review committee are trained professionals who understand our collection development policies and the developmental needs of our students,” Williams stated during the board meeting. “To disregard their expert opinion in favor of a single complaint sets a concerning precedent and limits the diverse perspectives available to our high schoolers.”

*Love All: A Billie Jean King Story* is widely regarded as an accessible and engaging biography for young adults, often praised for its historical accuracy and its contribution to LGBTQ+ representation in children’s literature. It details King’s groundbreaking achievements in tennis, her fight for gender equality in sports, and her eventual public acknowledgment of her identity.

This decision by Conroe ISD is not an isolated incident. It occurs amidst a broader surge of book challenges across Texas and the nation, many of which specifically target titles featuring LGBTQ+ themes, racial justice, or sensitive historical topics. This trend has been exacerbated in Texas by legislation such as House Bill 900, known as the READER Act, which mandates new standards for materials sold to school libraries and has led to increased scrutiny and self-censorship within school districts.

Critics of such bans argue that they disproportionately remove books reflecting diverse experiences, potentially alienating students who see themselves represented in these stories and limiting the intellectual scope for all students. Advocates for book challenges, conversely, often cite parental rights and the protection of children from what they deem inappropriate content.

The Conroe ISD’s decision adds to the ongoing statewide debate about library collections, parental authority, and the role of school boards in curating educational materials for students.