In a disturbing incident outside a Staten Island elementary school, hundreds of books were found discarded in the trash, sparking concerns over censorship and discrimination. The boxes, labeled “not approved,” contained stories featuring LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and people of color. East Flatbush resident Holly Spiegel brought attention to the issue after stumbling upon the discarded books and noticing sticky notes explaining why they were deemed unfit. One book, The Derby Daredevils, faced rejection for depicting a transgender dad and teenage girls with same-sex crushes, while Julian is a Mermaid was criticized for exploring gender identity. The controversy extended to titles like We Are Still Here! Native American Truths Everyone Should Know, which was condemned for its perceived negativity towards white people, and a book about a boy on the U.S.-Mexico border, criticized as being unfair. The city's education department is investigating the incident, which lacks any formal record of book challenges at the school. While parents and activists voice opposition to the apparent censorship, the controversy marks a rare instance of book banning in New York City, typically considered a bastion of liberalism. State Attorney General Letitia James has affirmed her support for LGBTQ+ rights and vowed to defend transgender individuals amid the unfolding debate. #Students & Youth Culture