Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore has expressed her disappointment after learning that her children’s book, Freckleface Strawberry, was pulled from bookshelves in schools operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).
In a statement on Instagram, Moore revealed that the book, which tells the story of a 7-year-old girl learning to embrace her freckles, was meant to encourage children to embrace their unique traits. “It is a book I wrote for my children and for other kids to remind them that we all struggle but are united by our humanity and our community,” she wrote.
Earlier this month, DoDEA, which oversees schools for military families worldwide, announced a review of books potentially linked to “gender ideology or discriminatory equity ideology topics.”
This decision follows a Trump-era executive order aimed at eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in government institutions.
As a result, several books, including Freckleface Strawberry, have been temporarily removed while an internal evaluation is conducted. The Pentagon has not provided a complete list of affected books.
Moore, who attended Frankfurt American High School in Germany, expressed deep disappointment in the decision, highlighting her personal connection to the military school system. “I am particularly stunned because I am a proud graduate of a DoD school,” she said, adding that her father was a Vietnam War veteran.
She voiced concern that children in military families might lose access to stories that reflect their experiences. “It is galling for me to realize that kids like me, growing up with a parent in the service and attending a @dodea_edu school, will not have access to a book written by someone whose life experience is so similar to their own,” Moore wrote.
Responding to concerns, DoDEA spokesperson Will Griffin clarified in a statement to CNN that books under review will be moved to the professional staff collection for evaluation. “As part of the review, books potentially related to gender ideology or discriminatory equity ideology topics as defined in the Executive Orders will be relocated to the professional staff collection for evaluation,” he explained.
While DoDEA has not officially confirmed whether Freckleface Strawberry will be permanently banned or reinstated, the removal of books from school shelves has sparked broader discussions about censorship, representation, and the impact of executive policies on education.
