Books focusing on gender and race are under review in Yorktown Central School District following some parents' complaints.

The books under review focus on perspectives of Black and brown teens and issues of gender identity. They are now at the center of a heated debate in Yorktown.

“All Boys Aren’t Blue,” “Gender Queer,” “Beyond Magenta” and “The Hate U Give" are among the books.

Several parents and community members voiced their opinion on the matter at a school board meeting Monday night.

Superintendent Dr. Ron Hattar confirmed a total of seven books at Yorktown High School and one book at Mildred E. Strang Middle School are being reviewed by a committee following formal complaints made by parents.

The parental complaints come amid a movement in Northern Westchester to stop school districts from implementing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts.

Community members also expressed concerns that the books are not currently available to students as they are being reviewed.

Hatter also said at the meeting that the committee reviewing the books will deliver their findings to him and that he will make the final call.

No timeline has been given on when that might happen.

A spokesperson for the Yorktown Central School District tells News 12 the district is committed to having diverse authors and perspectives represented in school libraries, adding no determination has been made regarding the challenged books.

News 12 reached out to Save Our Schools, an grassroots organization that believes “children should be taught how and why the U.S. is the largest, most free and successful multiracial society in human history.”

They released a statement saying in part: “Save Our Schools, Inc.  supports the Yorktown community members that voiced concerns over several books in the school's student library. It is the right of parents and tax payers to expect transparency regarding all materials available in school libraries that are also companion and resource materials for school curricula being taught.  Our concern in this matter, foremost is the lack of transparency by school administrators regarding library, text books, and curriculum content being taught, K-12, in district schools.”