Category: Banned and Challenged Books
Are Anti-Racism Book Challenges On The Rise?
There’s been a marked increase in challenges of children’s books that combat racism and immigrant bias. With social media and citizen journalism, there have been many instances of police brutality that have been recorded in the past couple of years. With this, challenges of children’s books addressing police brutality and racism have risen.
The Poet X Goes To Court
The Poet X and its perceived challenge to the Establishment Clause is called into question by a North Carolina couple seeking to shield their son from “negative” depictions of Catholicism in fiction provided by the local public school system.
Happy (belated) birthday, Mercer Mayer!
Last month, we celebrated Mercer Mayer’s birthday! Well-known for the Little Critter and Little Monster series, we also recognize his books which used striking and frightening illustrations to engage young readers and teach them about courage.
Happy Birthday David Sedaris!
David Sedaris was born on this day in 1956. He is an award winning author and comedian, and he is a regular, longtime contributor to The New Yorker and the National Public Radio (NPR) show This American Life. His essays are known for their satirical and self-deprecating humor, and read like diary entries (which many of them are), a window into Sedaris’ clever mind.
Happy Birthday, Sandra Cisneros
Author, poet, and artist Sandra Cisneros celebrates her birthday today.
Happy Birthday, Jason Reynolds!
Today is Jason Reynolds’ birthday. Reynolds, named earlier this year as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, has had his books challenged for how they portray contemporary issues like police brutality and racism. This year, read a book by Reynolds — tell us what you think.
Should I Report Censorship?
The ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom (“OIF”) encourages everyone to report any and all instances of censorship and challenges to materials (including databases), programs, speakers, filtering and author visits. No matter is too insignificant. If we let instances of censorship slide by or decide to just take certain books off the shelf to avoid conflict or save time, we undermine the First Amendment and our own profession.
Happy Birthday, Kurt Vonnegut!
Today is both the late Kurt Vonnegut’s birthday and Veteran’s Day. Vonnegut himself was both a banned author and a veteran of World War 2. His most challenged, banned, and burned book is Slaughterhouse Five. This book in particular shares his World War 2 experience. And yet it, among many other books penned by veterans, remains on the frequently banned and challenged lists. Today, read a book by a veteran — maybe Slaughterhouse Five to start.
Banned Books Week 2020: A Schedule of Virtual Events
Banned Books Week 2020 kicks off on September 27! Throughout the week, libraries, schools, bookstores, and organizations will be hosting events that spotlight the freedom to read — make sure to check out events happening around you!
Here are also some events from the American Library Association and its friends to add to your calendar.
Happy Birthday, Stephen King!
Not only is today Stephen King’s birthday, but Banned Books Week is also just around the corner! Throughout his entire career, King has been a frequently challenged and banned author. Let’s all take a moment to reflect on and celebrate the King of modern American horror.