The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) has started restricting military families’ access to certain school books worldwide. Among the restricted books is “Freckleface Strawberry,” a children’s book written by Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore. This action, part of a comprehensive review of educational resources, has ignited significant debate among educators and civil rights groups.
In an Instagram post on Sunday, February 16, 2025, Moore expressed shock upon discovering that the Trump administration had restricted her debut book in DoDEA-run schools.
“Freckleface Strawberry,” published in 2007, is the story of a seven-year-old girl dealing with insecurities about her freckles. After several unsuccessful attempts to hide or remove them, she ultimately learns to embrace her freckles as a unique part of her identity, promoting the message that differences should be celebrated, not erased. Moore won an Academy Award for her “Still Alice” role in 2015.
The book review follows President Donald Trump’s executive orders for federal institutions’ diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on January 26, 2025, that the Department of Defense would cease all DEI programs in compliance with Trump’s Inauguration Day executive order. This announcement resulted in the closure of DEI offices across the federal government.
The DoDEA, responsible for the education of roughly 67,000 children in 160 schools globally, issued a statement explaining its stance. The agency stated it is reevaluating its educational materials and policies in response to recent executive orders and updated Department of Defense guidance. The DoDEA clarified that no materials have been permanently removed, as the review is still ongoing. However, any materials under scrutiny will be temporarily restricted, with access limited to professional staff until a final decision is reached.
PEN America, a nonprofit organization, criticized the restriction of Moore’s book and others, viewing it as a reflection of the new administration’s approach to K-12 education. Other targeted books include “No Truth Without Ruth” about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and “Becoming Nicole,” the story of a transgender actor.
A directive issued on February 5 called for removing all books featuring “gender ideology or discriminatory equity ideology.” In addition to reviewing classroom books, including personal collections, teachers were directed to remove pronouns from email signatures and cease cultural observances like Black History Month.
The American Library Association (ALA) and the American Association of School Librarians have spoken out against these actions, arguing that they infringe upon the First Amendment rights of military personnel and their families. They are urging Americans to defend libraries, particularly those in schools on military bases and public and academic institutions across the country, against censorship.
Moore, who attended a now-closed Department of Defense school in Germany and was raised in a military family, has a personal connection to this controversy. Her father, a Vietnam veteran, served in the U.S. Army. This personal connection to the military community makes the restriction of her book from these schools particularly impactful for Moore.
Democratic lawmakers have opposed the restrictions, asserting they compromise the diverse and comprehensive education that DoDEA traditionally offers military families. The Department of Education recently rejected 11 complaints about book bans received during the Biden administration, calling them “meritless” and based on a “dubious legal theory.”
These restrictions are part of a broader Defense Department initiative to scale back diversity programs and promote “unity” over “diversity,” according to Secretary Hegseth. Schools had until February 18 to adhere to the directive, which also mandates updated signage and the removal of posters featuring historical women and people of color.
