Yeah, that was something that popped out at me too. At least some of us got to keep our books. We were learning something, engaging with something, if not with school. Once I was in a daily/all-day gifted program, there were actually novels and interesting nonfiction on the shelves for us to read in between lecture/q-and-a sessions. Having that option to read was considered an important part of our learning.

I had a daycare once that took away my books. My parents didn't keep me there very long.