- Julianne Moore said she is surprised that schools overseen by the Department of Defense Education Activity have decided to pull her children’s book “Freckleface Strawberry.” Moore’s response comes amid an ordered review of educational content.
- A spokesperson for the department said they’re currently conducting a review process.
- The Pentagon agency said none of the books being reviewed have been officially removed so far.
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Actress Julianne Moore said her book about embracing diversity has been removed from schools serving military families. The book is called “Freckleface Strawberry,” and it is based on Moore’s own childhood experience of a 7-year-old girl “who’s learning to love the skin she’s in.”
In a social media post Sunday, Feb. 16, Moore wrote she was shocked to learn it was “banned” by the Department of Defense’s Education Activity.
Moore also said she wrote the book to remind children that everyone is different and that she is a “proud graduate” of a Pentagon school in Frankfurt, Germany, where her father served in the U.S. Army.
“I am truly saddened and never thought I would see this in a country where freedom of speech and expression is a constitutional right,” Moore said.
How is the department responding?
A spokesperson for the Department of Defense Education Activity has not confirmed “Freckleface Strawberry” was pulled from shelves, but did tell CNN that they’re conducting a review process in response to executive orders issued by President Donald Trump regarding gender ideology and DEI programs.
The Pentagon agency said none of the books being reviewed have been officially removed so far.
The statement did not give specifics on how long the review would last, but the directive issued Feb. 5 said all books featuring “gender ideology or discriminatory equity ideology” needed to be relocated during the review.
Which specific publications are being removed for review?
A memo obtained by The Washington Post revealed several specific publications were ordered to be removed immediately, including chapters from Advanced Placement psychology textbooks on sexuality and gender. Also banned was a biography in elementary schools on Albert Cashier, a Civil War veteran who was born biologically female but joined the Army as a male, and “Becoming Nicole,” the real-life story of a transgender actor.
Teachers also were told to review their classroom books, including personal collections, for any that violate the executive order.
Nearly 70,000 children attend the Pentagon-run schools around the world.
