HARRISBURG (TNS) — A Blair County teacher has been facing criticism after bringing a copy of a controversial graphic novel to her middle school classroom.

According to WJAC, a teacher at the Hollidaysburg Area School District, had a copy of the book “Gender Queer” in her classroom, which has drawn complaints from some parents.

The book in question is a memoir written and illustrated by Maia Kobabe, and tells the story of the author’s journey of understanding gender identity and sexuality as a teenager. Kobabe identifies as gender nonbinary and uses gender-neutral Spivak pronouns.

The book was never assigned by the teacher to be read in class. It is not part of the school’s curriculum, nor is it available in the school’s library. However, several students told parents that it was visible on the teacher’s desk, and that the teacher would sometimes read from it while they were working.

“Gender Queer” has become a lightning rod in debates over education of gender and sexuality in public schooling. The book was given an Alex Award by the American Library Association, which highlights works with “special appeal to young adults ages 12 through 18,” but has also been targeted for removal by groups in several states, ranging from parents to lawmakers.

While the term “graphic novel” refers to a literary work that uses images — what is often referred to as a “comic book” — the content of “Gender Queer” is also graphic in another sense. The book contains depictions of sexually explicit acts, both real and imagined by the narrator, as well as things like use of menstrual products or visits to a gynecologist.

Robert Gildea, the district’s superintendent, released a letter saying that the teacher was instructed not to bring the book back to school and that “additional corrective action is being considered.”

“I am of the opinion that the book is disturbing and not appropriate for children of any age,” Gildea said in the letter.

“Gender Queer” topped the list of banned book in 2021. One recent challenge was in Louisville, Kentucky, where the book was allowed on several high school library shelves in one Jefferson County school district.

In their ruling, the council of the the Jefferson County Public School stated that the few explicit portions of the book “do not rise to the level that the average person, applying contemporary adult community standards, would find to be patently offensive.” They added that “Gender Queer” has educational and inclusive merit, particularly for students within the LGBTQ community.

The Altoona Mirror reports that Gildea confirmed the same teacher asked her students what pronouns they wished to be identified by, which sparked another incident of complaints from some parents.