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‘Flamer’ can remain in Harford school libraries after court ruling
A Harford County judge upheld Maryland’s reversal of the school board’s decision to remove the graphic novel from middle and high school libraries. The ruling found the removal violated the state’s Freedom to Read Act and the First Amendment.
BEL AIR, Md. — A Harford County judge has upheld the Maryland State Board of Education’s decision overturning the county school board’s removal of the graphic novel “Flamer,” leaving the book eligible to remain in middle and high school libraries.
The county board had appealed the state board’s ruling, issued in November 2025. The judge found that Harford County’s decision violated both Maryland’s Freedom to Read Act and the First Amendment.
The dispute began in 2025, after parents raised concerns about the book’s content and the county board removed it from school libraries. The state board directed the county to revisit its review procedures while reversing the removal.
“Flamer” follows a boy as he navigates friendship, bullying, sexuality and self-discovery. Critics of the book have objected to its graphic language and vulgarity.
The court ruling upholds the state board’s action and means the book may remain on school shelves.