Worrying content - Good night stories for rebel girls

[WeMeetInFairIthilien]

Under a different username, I have had a long running battle with my DC's school, over their promotion of GI, using No Outsiders for resources, and "She's my Dad" for reading comprehension lessons.

Juat seen the content of the book from the year 5+6 reading list, which DD has picked. Meant to be non-fiction, about women and girls.

Pg 46, elementary school child - a boy who likes pink and shiny shoes. Affirmed immediately. Taken to the doctor, who affirms the boy feels like a girl inside. Toilet question comes up 'I can't use the disabled, I'm a girl'. A judge rules that the boy can use the girls toilets. They have a party to celebrate with pink cake.

My eyes have rolled back so far in my head that I can see my own brain.

Have sent the following message to the school.

*Good morning,
I would just like to draw your attention to some concerning content in one of your recommended reading books for year 5 and 6.
In "Goodnight stories for Rebel Girls", the entry is on page 46, describing a young, gender questioning boy.

The entry is concerning due to;

1. Promoting harmful stereotypes - that being a girl is about liking pink, dresses and sparkly shoes. This is contrary to the school's statutory duty to prevent the promotion of harmful stereotypes.

1. It is out of date - it states that a judge has decided that the gender questioning child can use the toilet of the opposite sex, if they want to. Almost a year ago (April 2025), the Supreme Court ruled that, in British law, it is not gender identity, but biological sex that determines entry to single sex spaces, such as toilets.

My DC immediately identified the harmful stereotypes presented in this entry, however given that it is stating out-of-date ideas that are contrary to the law, I would request that you review the appropriateness of having this book on the recommended reading list.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this,

Many thanks*

I'd really hoped that this shit was over.

Or take it as a teaching moment?

To explain that while the child may have a firm belief that the adults were wrong to act that way.

That a very hard part of growing intto independent adults is have to accept reality and work from that foundation so stuff like puberty and periods and growning-up decisions all have to be based on truth/facts?

That if its truth/fact based that the outcome is what it is and shoulda woulda coulda thinking is time eating waste of energy etc?

Doesn't the Jigsaw provision fall down on using cartoon characters, oversimplification and non binary nonsense without actually calling it that?
The most telling part of Jigsaw is that it's used in all of Cornwall's schools. I had words when my son was in yr 6 and the transgender lesson explicitly mentioned being born in the wrong body. This was the old lesson about Roberta. I believe there's a new version now.

Oh bugger dd owns that book too! It’s recommended as good for strong girls etc etc. that is the complete opposite message you expect if pink=girl

Someone bought that book for my daughters years ago , dd ripped that page out

My eyes have rolled back so far in my head that I can see my own brain
😂😂

Well said, let us know what the school replies with

Well done. You have set out the argument so clearly. Let’s hope they never actually read the whole book and putting it in the library was a mistake which they will now rectify by removing it.

It went in our recycling bin eventually. It's a crime they ruined a wonderful book by including men.

Yes it’s problematic that a male is included. Take the page out imo

Well, no reply as yet, however the staff member I messaged was absent today.

Found it. Just putting it in the charity pile.

What an awful story on so many grounds.

UPDATE

The book and my complaint was referred to the school library/literacy team.

I have just had a phone call with the outcome.

They agree that

1. The story promotes harmful stereotypes and
2. It is out of date.

As such, the book has been removed from the library, and the reading list has been updated to no longer include it.

And DD and I were both thanked for bringing it to the attention of the school.

I'd call that a win!

Especially in the dying days of LGBTXYZGTPETC History Month, and with my history with the school and their policies.

This is awesome news OP. I remember your original thread. Well done for continuing to fight the good fight so graciously (and successfully) and for rearing a daughter with a grip on reality.

'the school is being mean to me' Coy wailed

Are we sure the writers weren't taking the piss by including this particular gem in the write up?

What age is this book intended for? - it seems very simple and patronising, I think my dd would have given it major side eye from age 7 onwards

I've not idea about the intended age of the book, but it was on the year 5/6 reading list (100 books to read in yesr 5 and 6) - so 9, 10 and 11 years.

DD is making a concerted effort to read her way through the entire list.

Getting books banned has such a long and illustrious history; I hope you make a celebratory pyre on 8 August.

Well done OP, that is great news.

Well done OP. There a wealth of books for children out there that don't promote harmful stereotypes and it's great that the school has recognised that.

Not banned, just removed from a recommended reading list and primary school library for;

1. Promoting harmful stereotypes (against the stuatory duties of the school)

And

1. Stating out of date and incorrect information as the law. This goes against the PSED of the school.

The book is still freely available to purchase, and parents can make their own choices about whether they wish to purchase it for their child.

The teacher who made the decision informed me that they have not read every single page of every single book on their reading list and thanked us for bringing it to their attention.

If the school is found by Ofsted to have promoted harmful stereotypes and failed in their PSED, they are in a potentially very serious situation.

But, just as I would suggest that it probably isn't suitable to have a copy of Fifty Shades of Grey in a PRIMARY school library, nor a copy of Crime and Punishment, or even 1984, it does not stand to reason that I wish for those books to be banned, nor burnt.

We, as adults have the discretion, to look at a book and decide if itis really appropriate for a child.

Edited for SPAG

Well done OP. Protecting girls from harmful stereotypes is so important! It's frustrating that they are relying on parents to identify when books are inappropriate and break the law, but luckily there are many of us checking our children's reading materials to ensure it's safe and age - appropriate. 💪

Winner!

Well done! Not just for doing this but how you do it. So politely but incisively.

Result!!!! 👌❤️

I'm very opposed to any kind of book banning. As an American, I'm also very much a believer in free speech, which inspired me to these little acts of resistance:

This exact book was given as a gift to my daughter, so I wrote in pen "not a girl" under the headline.

I went to the library, found it, and wrote the same thing in the same place.

I've since done it a few libraries. I travel for work, so I can do it under the radar.