(WPDE) — A subcommittee of the South Carolina State Board of Education will hold a meeting to review the first round of state-sponsored book bans on Thursday. Of the 11 titles being challenged, an unknown reviewer recommended that eight titles be banned, and three be retained. Based on the given review forms, decisions were made using Moms for Liberty’s preferred rating system, a site that allegedly takes “objectionable” passages out of context in order to facilitate bans. Josh Malkin, Advocacy Director for the ACLU of South Carolina provided the following statement regarding the proposed book bans and regulations. “The state Department of Education is operating with shockingly little transparency as it endeavors to remove books from every classroom and library in South Carolina. We will continue to stand with our incredible educators and parents and students who do not think it acceptable for one person to impose their worldview on an entire state. Attacking the right to access information will lead to a host of unintended, and sadly intended consequences. We remain committed to advocating for the freedom to read.” The meeting on Thursday is the first of what is expected to be many book ban hearings enabled by Regulation 43-170, which was promoted by Superintendent Ellen Weaver over objections from teachers, librarians, and students across the state. The regulation allows book-banning organizations to challenge titles for K-12 grade levels if the books contain “sexual conduct.” Of the 11 titles being challenged, Crank by Ellen Hopkins is among those on the discussion list. Hopkins released a written statement regarding the novel and its material. Ellen Hopkins statement on book banning. Categories: Local News, Politics, State Tags: SC book ban, South Carolina, South Carolina State Board of Education