Julianne Moore’s ‘Freckleface Strawberry’ Banned by the Department of Defense

I am stunned. The idea of banning books at any level is something I cannot support—period. But when it comes to children’s books? The very thought is outrageous and deeply troubling. It feels as though we are teetering on the edge of a dystopian reality, eerily reminiscent of the world depicted in Ray Bradbury’s classic novel Fahrenheit 451, where books are outlawed and knowledge is suppressed.

In Fahrenheit 451, books are seen as dangerous because they challenge the status quo, encourage critical thinking, and celebrate individuality. Today, it seems we are witnessing the early stages of a similar mindset, where stories that promote diversity, self-acceptance, and empathy are being labeled as threats.

Oscar winner Julianne Moore recently revealed that her beloved children’s book, Freckleface Strawberry, was banned by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), the institution responsible for educating the children of military families. This is a book about a young girl learning to love her freckles—a message that should be celebrated, not censored. Yet, in a baffling decision, it has found itself on the Trump administration’s banned book list.

Banning children’s books, in particular, is a dangerous path to tread. These stories are often the first place kids encounter ideas about kindness, inclusion, and embracing what makes them unique. To silence these voices is to rob children of the opportunity to see themselves reflected in literature and to learn about the world beyond their immediate experiences.

Let’s explore why this ban is not just absurd but also a dangerous attack on diversity, individuality, and self-acceptance.

Julianne Moore’s Reaction: Shock and Disappointment

In a Sunday Instagram post, Julianne Moore expressed “great shock” over the ban. She wrote Freckleface Strawberry for her children and for kids everywhere—to remind them that despite our struggles, we are all connected by our shared humanity.

“It is a great shock for me to learn that my first book, Freckleface Strawberry, has been banned by the Trump Administration from schools run by the Department of Defense. Freckleface Strawberry is a semi-autobiographical story about a seven-year-old girl who dislikes her freckles but eventually learns to live with them when she realizes that she is different “just like everybody else.” 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.

I am particularly stunned because I am a proud graduate of Frankfurt American High School a #DOD school that once operated in Frankfurt, Germany. I grew up with a father who is a Vietnam veteran and spent his career in the #USArmy. I could not be prouder of him and his service to our country. 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. And I can’t help but wonder what is so controversial about this picture book that caused it to be banned by the US Government. I am truly saddened and never thought I would see this in a country where freedom of speech and expression is a constitutional right.“

The book, originally published in 2007, is the first in a series about a 7-year-old girl coming to terms with her appearance and ultimately embracing what makes her unique. Its core message? “The things that make you different also make you YOU.”

Moore’s heartfelt response highlights the irony of the situation: a book meant to inspire self-love and acceptance is being silenced by the very institution that once educated her.

The Irony of Julianne Moore’s DoDEA Roots

Here’s where the story takes a truly ironic turn. Julianne Moore herself is a product of a Pentagon-run school. She grew up attending a DoDEA school in Frankfurt, Germany, where her father, a Vietnam veteran, served in the U.S. Army.

Now, that same system is banning her book. The sheer absurdity of it all is staggering.

Is this ban political? Is it a reaction to the strong, independent women Moore often portrays on screen? Or does it have to do with her history of playing LGBTQ+ characters? Whatever the reason, this decision raises alarming questions about censorship and the suppression of diverse voices.

A Broader Crackdown on Inclusivity

This ban is not an isolated incident. It’s happening alongside a sweeping crackdown on inclusivity in the military. This isn’t just about censorship; it’s about control. And it’s a slippery slope. If we allow books like Freckleface Strawberry—a story about a young girl learning to love her freckles—to be banned, what’s next? Will we start banning stories about kids with disabilities, different cultural backgrounds, or non-traditional family structures?

• Transgender Military Ban: The Trump administration’s decision to ban transgender service members.
• Gutting DEI Programs: Efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Targeting Children’s Books: Now, even a book about freckles is considered a threat.

I had no idea freckles were a threat to national security. What’s next? Are they going to ban Peanuts comics to erase Peppermint Patty and Marcie from existence?

What Freckleface Strawberry Is About

According to the book’s website, Freckleface Strawberry is about “a little girl who was just like everybody else. She was seven. She was short. She could ride a bike. She was just like everybody else, except for one thing. She had red hair. And something worse…FRECKLES!”

This is a story about embracing what makes you unique. It’s a celebration of individuality and self-acceptance—values that should be encouraged, not censored.

If this is the kind of book that’s now considered dangerous, then we need more Freckleface Strawberry books—not fewer.

Why This Ban Is a Threat to Diversity and Free Expression

This ban is more than just an attack on a single book. It’s an attack on:

1. Diversity: By silencing stories that celebrate differences, we risk creating a homogenized culture that erases individuality.
2. Free Expression: Banning books sets a dangerous precedent for censorship and limits the free exchange of ideas.
3. Self-Acceptance: Children’s books like Freckleface Strawberry play a crucial role in helping kids navigate their identities and build self-esteem.

What Can We Do?

1. Speak Out: Share this story on social media and raise awareness about the dangers of book banning.
2. Support Banned Books: Purchase or borrow Freckleface Strawberry and other banned books to show your support.
3. Advocate for Inclusivity: Push back against policies that target diversity and inclusion in schools and the military.

Celebrating Diversity, Not Censoring It

Julianne Moore’s Freckleface Strawberry is a celebration of individuality and self-acceptance—values that should be championed, not silenced. This ban is a stark reminder of the importance of standing up for diversity, free expression, and the right to tell stories that matter.

We cannot let fear and ignorance dictate what our children can read. We must fight to protect the stories that inspire, educate, and unite us. Because if we don’t, we risk losing not just our books, but our freedom to think, to question, and to dream.

Because, as Freckleface Strawberry reminds us, “The things that make you different also make you YOU.”

What to read: That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America

I recently checked out a fascinating and deeply relevant book from the library that speaks directly to the issue of book banning and censorship. It’s a powerful reminder that we cannot afford to ignore what’s happening around us. Staying informed is not just a choice—it’s a responsibility. Ignorance is not an excuse, especially when the freedom to read and access diverse ideas is at stake.

The book, That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America by Amanda Jones, is an essential read for anyone who cares about literature, free expression, and the future of education. Jones, a librarian and advocate, dives into the growing movement to ban books across the United States, particularly those that tackle themes of race, gender, sexuality, and identity. She shares her own experiences battling censorship in her community, offering a firsthand look at the challenges librarians, educators, and authors face in defending the right to read.

What makes this book so compelling is its urgency. It’s not just a critique of book banning; it’s a call to action. Jones highlights how these bans disproportionately target marginalized voices, silencing stories that reflect the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, and other underrepresented groups. She also underscores the vital role libraries and librarians play in safeguarding intellectual freedom and providing access to diverse perspectives.

Reading That Librarian is both enlightening and unsettling. It forces us to confront the reality that book banning is not a relic of the past but a growing threat in the present. It’s a reminder that the fight for free expression is far from over and that complacency is not an option.

If you care about literature, education, or the fundamental right to access information, this book is a must-read. It’s a rallying cry for all of us to stand up against censorship, support our libraries, and ensure that future generations have the freedom to explore ideas without fear or restriction.

Ignorance may be comfortable, but it’s dangerous. Let’s choose knowledge, awareness, and action instead. Pick up That Librarian and join the fight to protect the stories that shape our world.

Amanda Jones started getting death threats, all for standing up for our right to read . . . but she’s not stopped fighting against book bans, or stopped advocating for access to diverse stories.”-Oprah Winfrey, in a speech at the 2023 National Book Awards

Part memoir, part manifesto, the inspiring story of a Louisiana librarian advocating for inclusivity on the front lines of our vicious culture wars.

One of the things small-town librarian Amanda Jones values most about books is how they can affirm a young person’s sense of self. So in 2022, when she caught wind of a local public hearing that would discuss “book content,” she knew what was at stake. Schools and libraries nationwide have been bombarded by demands for books with LGTBQ+ references, discussions of racism, and more to be purged from the shelves. Amanda would be damned if her community were to ban stories representing minority groups. She spoke out that night at the meeting. Days later, she woke up to a nightmare that is still ongoing.

Amanda Jones has been called a groomer, a pedo, and a porn pusher; she has faced death threats and attacks from strangers and friends alike. Her decision to support a collection of books with diverse perspectives made her a target for extremists using book-banning campaigns funded by dark money organizations and advanced by hard-right politicians in a crusade to make America more white, straight, and “Christian.” But Amanda Jones wouldn’t give up without a fight: she sued her harassers for defamation and urged others to join her in the resistance.

Mapping the book banning crisis occurring all across the nation, That Librarian draws the battle lines in the war against equity and inclusion, calling book lovers everywhere to rise in defense of our readers.