The author of the illustrated novel "Flamer" spoke to a crowd in Harford County on Tuesday after his book was banned by the county's Board of Education.

The fireside chat in Bel Air, Maryland, included a question-and-answer segment from the audience as well as a general discussion about the book and book banning. Event organizers said the discussion was sold out.

The book, "Flamer" by Mike Curato , was previously approved by district committees. However, parents said the school board voted to ban the book during a closed-door session in late June, after public appeals.

This was the first book to be removed by the district after it created a process to review books flagged by concerned parents.

Curato discusses banned book "Flamer"

The controversial novel is about a teenage boy w

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