Allen ISD · Featured Book Breakdown · April 20, 2026
Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley (released September 2, 2025) is one of 87 titles flagged by LION on Allen ISD’s proposed 2026 purchase list for the Lowery Freshman Center, which serves 14- and 15-year-old students. The book depicts the sexual exploitation, abuse, and trafficking of underage girls inside a foster care system. Below is the content LION identified during its preliminary review.
The Book
Title: Sisters in the Wind
Author: Angeline Boulley
Released: September 2, 2025
Proposed for: Allen ISD Lowery Freshman Center (grade 9; ages 14–15)
LION flag categories: CSA, SV, CA, ACR
Documented Content
- Lucy’s biological father (depicted as devout Catholic) repeatedly lies to her about her Ojibwe heritage, framing his faith-driven household as one that withholds truth and erases identity.
- After her father’s death, adoptive mother Bridget Mapother emotionally and physically abuses 14-year-old Lucy.
- In the Sterling foster home, birth son Steven sexually abuses his own 9-year-old sister Stacy and sexually assaults Lucy. The Sterling parents (depicted as devout Christians) cover it up and falsely accuse Lucy of drug possession when she confronts them.
- The Sterling family, portrayed as outwardly church-going Christians, plants a pipe bomb in a diner. The bomb injures Lucy and kills coworker Nancy. The Sterlings later kidnap Lucy’s toddler son Luke.
- At Hoppy Farm group home, the placement operates as an illegal “baby farm.” Foster teen boys are paid cash bounties for impregnating underage girls. The resulting babies are sold through illegal adoptions.
- One foster teen murders another (Lucy’s consensual partner and father of her child) to eliminate competition for the impregnation bounties.
- Lucy becomes pregnant while in the exploitative foster placement. The book frames the encounter at the baby farm as “young love.” She gives birth and surrenders the child for adoption.
- In the climax, the Sterlings use toddler Luke as bait, force Lucy into a rigged barn, and trigger an explosion. Mr. Sterling, the Christian foster father, holds Lucy and Luke at gunpoint and attempts to murder them.
The Religious Frame
Christianity is consistently framed negatively throughout the novel. The Catholic biological father is depicted as hypocritical. The zealous Sterling foster parents use religion as a cover for abuse, cover-ups, and violent crime. No positive or redemptive Christian characters or institutions appear in the book.
What This Means
Allen ISD has proposed purchasing Sisters in the Wind for a campus of 14- and 15-year-old students. The book depicts the sexual exploitation, abuse, and trafficking of underage girls inside a system that is supposed to protect them. LION asks Allen ISD to review this title against Texas Penal Code §43.24 and 13 TAC §4.2 before purchase.
What You Can Do
1. Show up at the May 26 Allen ISD board meeting. 6:30 PM, 612 E. Bethany Drive, Allen TX. Public comment is allowed.
2. Email the Allen ISD Board of Trustees and Superintendent. Contact information is on the Allen ISD Board of Trustees page. Reference Sisters in the Wind by title.
3. Sign LION’s Open Demand Letter. Add your name to the call for a 90-day postponement of all 818 proposed titles.
Source: Direct review of Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley. Title proposed on Allen ISD 2026 library materials purchase list for Lowery Freshman Center. Flag categories per LION’s 9-category framework. Preliminary tier: T1.
Do the Right Thing. Tell the Truth. Be Bold.
