These books are theoretically related to House Bill 3979, a so-called anti- CRT bill . Your donation keeps our trusted reporting free and accessible for all Texans and during a legislative session when lawmakers are set to tackle issues from school choice for K-12 students to school safety improvements to changes in property taxes, its critical that Texans know what lawmakers decisions mean for their futures. Its no wonder Go Ask Alice has been banned time and time again for its explicit themes. by Lupe Mendez. An Octoberanalysis by The Dallas Morning News found that 97 of the first 100 titles listed were written by women, people of color, or LGBTQ+ authors. Whats controversial about a book on inventions?? According to PEN America, in that period, there were 1,586 books banned. City Employees Are Heading for the Exits. ", This illustrated collection of poems and essays about overcoming prejudice and racism shouldn't be allowed in schools, an Eanes parent wrote, because it "promotes discrimination. Of course, this passionate romance novel between a Mexican American girl and a Black boy in 1930s Texas also covers important, complex topics like segregation, rape and forbidden love. Whats more, denying kids this information puts them in danger. This illustrated memoir by a nonbinary author, which includes sexually explicit cartoon images, triggered attempted bans and even threats of criminal charges in several Texas school districts. "And Tango Makes Three," by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell. But the oddest reason? Published in 2012, this irreverent book about dying is still one of the most banned books in 2022. And heres a quick guide to the ones schools dont want kids to read. A mom in Birdville asked school leaders to remove this book an illustrated guide to puberty, sex and sexual health after her child checked it out, writing that it wasn't appropriate for middle schoolers. In any event, the guiding principle remains the same: to ensure that students are not exposed to ideas that their elders do not want them to consider, by making it increasingly difficult to access the volumes in which those ideas are contained. With a list this slipshod, this haphazardly put together, it ends up with very strange implications. Popular Banned Books You Should Read in 2022 . Nate Expectations, the third book in a series about a gay kids, but not the first two. ), That figure801 banned booksrefers not to individual titles but rather to the number of times any school district has issued a ban. This novel, which includes LGBTQ storylines and explicit language, is one of dozens of library books that have been flagged for removal in the Fort Worth suburb of Keller. Also, while the Texas State Teacher Association said that a district asking if they had to teach two sides to the Holocaust was an overreaction, there is a Holocaust history book on this list: Life, Death and Sacrifice: Women and Family in the Holocaust. The most frequent . Some school districts have already started taking books off their shelves even without objections from parents. Bring on the Shiplap? Book Challenges. As for Rachel? Lots of books on this list are from a series. Here is a list of banned books and how to shop. Alex Ginos novel has been on the American Library Associations Top 10 Most Challenged Books list more than once since its 2017 debut. Book bans tend to be specific to schools, towns or sometimes states. The Texas Tribune Festival is almost here! She claimed that, because it includes references to microaggressions, the book is "about critical race theory, which is forbidden by Texas law. This graphic novel, which the School Library Journal praised for its message "that periods need not be a dirty secret, is one of dozens of library books that have been flagged for removal in Keller. The Campaign to Sabotage Texass Public Schools. Laurie Halse Andersons 1999 book dives straight into the thorny subject of sexual assault. Using racial slurs to highlight racism still means that the writer used profane, hateful language. I'm done arguing with people over whether this is fascism.". The book, published in 1947, is a clear-eyed glimpse into the thoughts of a young teenager hiding in an attic to avoid being rounded up by the Nazis during World War II. Kobabes Gender Queer, which explores the authors journey to the realization that their identity is beyond the gender binary, is one of just a handful of books to appear nine times on the list. Racism is a central theme in Of Mice and Men, which details the journey of two migrant ranch workers in Depression-era California. Join the fight. "Book challenges in American schools are . Teenagers should be able to explore questions about sexuality, power, oppression, and more. Tweet The American Library Association condemns censorship and works to ensure free access to information. Maia Kobabes autobiographical graphic novel, which explores coming out to the family as nonbinary, has been criticized by religious conservatives since it was published in 2019. How many have you read from the 2022 banned books list? These themesalong with some violent passagesled to the storys first banned books case in 1994. Its also irresponsible to take this information out of schools. Despite (and perhaps because of) these heartbreaking scenes, the book is worth a readespecially if youre starting a book club. Another 40% of these books contains protagonists or prominent secondary characters of color. With all of this being said, clearly I have spent more time on this list than Krause (or, lets be honest, an assistant) did. It is one of dozens of library books that have been flagged for removal in Keller. Advocates of banning the book argue that its issues with racism and sexuality arent suitable for young readers. Some of them have already been making the rounds of book challenges, including LGBTQ books Lawn Boy and Gender Queer, as well as books addressing racism, like Out of Darkness and This Book is Anti-Racist. The characters are portrayed as animals separated by species rather than ethnicity, a bold, jarring move. This childrens book about diversity provides readers with context for the racial tensions of today and offers hope for a more antiracist world in the future. Not having this information available means that students will only know what they learn from the internet and their peers not always reliable sources. These are the top 10 Texas school districts that banned or reviewed the most books, data shows Kirkland An , Hannah Dellinger , Alejandro Serrano , Staff writers Aug. 10, 2022 Updated: Aug. 11 . They include The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison . In 1931, the governor of Chinas Hunan province thought so. And a potpourri of other random titles, including a five-book set of The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine and Eyes on Target: Inside Stories from the Brotherhood of the U.S. Navy SEALs. One of the most telling titles on this list is 100 Questions Youd Never Ask Your Parents: Straight Answers To Teens Questions About Sex, Sexuality, and Health. That state wasTennessee, where a school board banned "Maus"in January, as reported by the (Nashville)Tennessean. Others, such as Brent Sherrards Final Takedowna slim, out-of-print volume from a small Canadian publisher about a kid who faces time in juvenile detentionappear but once (in San Antonios North East Independent School District, the most avid banner of books in the state). PolitiFact Texas reached out to the user for hissource but did not hearback. Mixed into bizarre listings like a collection of political essays from 2010 or a bioethics adult book from 2005 are titles that will be familiar to you. The book has been banned several times, mostly for its profanity and references to sex. nytimes. The second volume was published in 1992 and went on to win a Pulitzer Prizethe first and only graphic novel to achieve that honor. Florida and Pennsylvania followed Texas as the states with the most bans, respectively. By Claire Moses. Adventure ensues. These are titles like The Legal Atlas of the United States, Teen Legal Rights, Gender Equality and Identity Rights (Foundations of Democracy), Equal Rights, We the Students: Supreme Court Cases for and About Students, and Peaceful Rights for Equal Rights. They have the right to review all instructional materials, and state law guarantees them access to their students records and to a school principal or administrator. Here are 50 books Texas parents have asked school districts to ban, nearly all of which deal with racism, sexuality . South Bend Tribune The American Library Association (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 729 challenges to library, school, and . "We checked four two owned it, one did not, and one did not, but had a video about it. Its difficult to say which book is the most banned in the United States. Schools across the country have banned the Harry Potter series for its themes of witchcraft as well as its portrayals of death and evil. No matter how you feel about human-size bugs, Roald Dahls James and the Giant Peach seems innocent enough at first glance. ", This young adult adaptation of "Stamped From the Beginning," Kendi's National Book Award-winning historical examination of racism, was flagged for removal by a parent in Katy, who wrote that the children's book "is littered with completely fabricated and conspiracy theory views on history" that make it seem as if "all historical events of the past were a result of racism. Instagram Twitter. A report published Thursday by the free expression group PEN America details an "alarming" and unprecedented surge in book banning across the United States, with 86 school districts in 26 states prohibiting more than 1,100 titles in classrooms and libraries over just the past eight months. Its hardly the only book about gender identity and same-sex romance to find itself banned in a Texas school or library, however. Despite its somewhat grown-up themes, Lowrys Newbery Medalwinning classic is a worthy read (or listen; its available as an audiobook on Audible) for all kids. Jonathan Evisons 2018 novel follows Mike Muoz, a 22-year-old Mexican man who cant seem to get ahead. This list has so many excellent, beloved queer YA books, like Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (both the English and Spanish versions). Kobabe's book tops the American Library Association's list for most banned books in 2021. It looks like maybe two of them mention pregnancy? ", A parent in Leander, an Austin suburb, asked for this book, which features a subplot about a teenager whos starting to notice his attraction to other boys, to be removed because the parent didn't believe "books should discuss sensitive/controversial topics such as gender,sexuality.". "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood, set in a totalitarian theocratic society where women cannot hold property or jobs. Far-right politicians, media, and religious leaders intent on stopping children from learning about race, sexual orientation, gender identity, and different cultures within the country have escalated their attacks on freedom of speech by increasing the call for banning of books. Jos R. Ralat is Texas Monthlys taco editor, writing about tacos and Mexican food. A Birdville mom wanted this book, a graphic novel featuring LGBTQ characters, removed from libraries because, she said, it "has a recurring theme of oral sex. It's one of dozens of library books that have been flagged for removal in Keller. But for the throngs of readers who have never been forced to see war head-on, the book offers a sampling of memories. Other books are listed in both English and Spanish versions, while Qu me est pasando?, Lucas y yo, and En el bosque are listed only in Spanish presumably the English versions are okay to stock. Here is just a small sampling of the books that government officials in Texas really, really don't want kids to read: Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson. below is a list of 50 books that . Across the country, PEN America found that 1,648 unique titles had been banned by schools. But its very strange to see just one title each from these prolific authors and ones that arent likely to be on the shelves at all. While Texas is seeing an influx in local requests to remove books, there is no statewide ban in place. But it's nothing new. North East Independent School District in San Antonio identified 414 books in its libraries, which are included in a list of about 850 titles compiled by Texas Rep. Matt Krause. Records requested by NBC News of nearly 100 Texas school districts found 86 formal requests to remove books from libraries in 2021, with the majority of requests coming at the end of the year afterKrause sent his letter. Even if this list made any sense, that wouldnt make it better. Bestselling author Jason Reynolds, the "Banned Books Week 2021 Honorary Chair," has two books on the most recent list: Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, co-written with Ibram X. Kendi and All . Some titles, such as Gender Queer, appear multiple times, having been banned from Canutillo (fifteen miles northwest of downtown El Paso) to Clear Creek, 785 miles to its east. Honored . Published Aug 18, 2022. The depiction of teenagers locked in a destructive cycle of drug abuse, for one. A Teens Guide to Becoming a Dad (which seems like a useful book for kids in that situation!). The fight over censorship and banned books is nothing new, but there seems to be a fresh effort to purge the shelves of so-called edgy cultural commentary (as in Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You), uncomfortable interpretations of reality (such as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and the Holocaust book Maus), discussions of gender identity (as with George M. Johnsons banned book All Boys Arent Blue) and provocative stories that could lead to political questioning (The Handmaids Tale, anyone?). Readers seem to either love or hate the . One Amazon reviewer called this heartfelt memoir a handbook for nonbinary kids that would help them feel not so alone. We cant think of a better way to describe it. As of 2010, the book was already weighed down by 39 challenges or bans. And yet it was among the top 10 most challenged books of 2020, primarily for the authors bold public words and the claims that the book includes selective snippets of history. Texas has banned 801 books, spanning 22 school . Will it reflect all soldiers experiences? The fervor around critical race theory, which describes an academic framework not taught in public schools, means that it doesnt matter how well regarded a book about race issuch titles are all over the list of banned books. . This novel, about a lesbian romance set in 1954 between a Chinese American teen and a white classmate, is one of dozens of library books that have been flagged for removal in Keller. Request your local libraries and school libraries carry anti-racist, sex ed, trans, and LGBTQ books. The School Library Journal said this graphic novel, about a boy wrestling with his sexuality at summer camp, is "an essential book that shows readers that they are never alone in their struggles." This recent series of book bans has unfolded against the backdrop of a national debate over critical race theory, a college-level academic discipline that examines how racism is embedded in the countrys legal and structural systems. The story centers on Alices disorienting adventure down a rabbit hole and into a fantasy world of talking animals and utterly absurd events (ahem, Mad Hatter tea party). What justification does Matt Krause have for libraries not being able to stock these books? This novel, about a young slave boy who becomes swept up in a struggle for his own liberation, is one of dozens of library books that have been flagged for removal in Keller. People complained, and the book landed among the top 100 most banned books in America between 1990 and 2000. We report on vital issues from politics to education and are the indispensable authority on the Texas scene, covering everything from music to cultural events with insightful recommendations. This year, I won't have to leave Texas for the fight. Summer Lopez, the chief program officer of free expression at PEN America, said whats notable about these book bans is that most are on books that families and children can elect to read, not any required reading. Nonetheless, with the increase of book bans and challenges recently, Krause appears to want to preemptively remove any books that could be challenged for causing discomfort.. "However, from there, the issue has continued to snowball on a case-by-case basis with individuals taking it upon themselves to carefully and subjectively curate a selection of books to challenge based on specific themes and genres.". With some titles restricted in multiple places, the total count of book bans is more than 2,500. Sept. 19, 20225 AM Central. "All Boys Aren't Blue," by George M. . $12 at Amazon. Out of the five banned books on the list, Jonathan Evison's "Lawn Boy," especially when considering the student population of Texas schools, is one of the most necessary to keep in the curriculum. ", This coming-of-age novel about a gay teenager came under fire in Birdville when a parent complained that it has explicit descriptions of "masterbation and genitalia.". A parent in Prosper said this novel, which tells the story of 9/11 and its aftermath from the dueling perspectives of an American boy and an Afghan girl, should be removed from schools because it "depicts American soldiers as callous, evil and terrorists" and because the author mentions the racial or ethnic identities of every character. Some disclaimers first: these are rough numbers. This award-winning nonfiction collection features interviews with transgender teens. After all, stories about kids killing each other doesnt cause students discomfort, but a book that mentions a characters gay uncle is apparently scarring. In the United States, a book might be banned from the library or a store, but that doesnt mean its illegal to read it.) Texas State Representative Matt Krause recently put more than 800 books on a watch list, many of them dealing with race and . Before long, Brave New World was topping the banned book list in at least eight U.S. states. An Eanes parent asked administrators to get rid of this novel, about a 12-year-old girl who gets involved in the Black Lives Matter movement, because it might cause a white child to feel "confusion or distress. But even before that, the authors of Stamped had begun leaving a deep imprint on libraries nonfiction collections. When the dog is stolen from his home to be sold as a sled dog, he must fight tooth and nail to survive. As the full list from PEN America indicates, book banning has become a popular cause among some in our polarized electoratebut this wasnt always the case. Leave them blank to get signed up. 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These books are theoretically related to House Bill 3979, a so-called anti- CRT bill . Your donation keeps our trusted reporting free and accessible for all Texans and during a legislative session when lawmakers are set to tackle issues from school choice for K-12 students to school safety improvements to changes in property taxes, its critical that Texans know what lawmakers decisions mean for their futures. Its no wonder Go Ask Alice has been banned time and time again for its explicit themes. by Lupe Mendez. An Octoberanalysis by The Dallas Morning News found that 97 of the first 100 titles listed were written by women, people of color, or LGBTQ+ authors. Whats controversial about a book on inventions?? According to PEN America, in that period, there were 1,586 books banned. City Employees Are Heading for the Exits. ", This illustrated collection of poems and essays about overcoming prejudice and racism shouldn't be allowed in schools, an Eanes parent wrote, because it "promotes discrimination. Of course, this passionate romance novel between a Mexican American girl and a Black boy in 1930s Texas also covers important, complex topics like segregation, rape and forbidden love. Whats more, denying kids this information puts them in danger. This illustrated memoir by a nonbinary author, which includes sexually explicit cartoon images, triggered attempted bans and even threats of criminal charges in several Texas school districts. "And Tango Makes Three," by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell. But the oddest reason? Published in 2012, this irreverent book about dying is still one of the most banned books in 2022. And heres a quick guide to the ones schools dont want kids to read. A mom in Birdville asked school leaders to remove this book an illustrated guide to puberty, sex and sexual health after her child checked it out, writing that it wasn't appropriate for middle schoolers. In any event, the guiding principle remains the same: to ensure that students are not exposed to ideas that their elders do not want them to consider, by making it increasingly difficult to access the volumes in which those ideas are contained. With a list this slipshod, this haphazardly put together, it ends up with very strange implications. Popular Banned Books You Should Read in 2022 . Nate Expectations, the third book in a series about a gay kids, but not the first two. ), That figure801 banned booksrefers not to individual titles but rather to the number of times any school district has issued a ban. This novel, which includes LGBTQ storylines and explicit language, is one of dozens of library books that have been flagged for removal in the Fort Worth suburb of Keller. Also, while the Texas State Teacher Association said that a district asking if they had to teach two sides to the Holocaust was an overreaction, there is a Holocaust history book on this list: Life, Death and Sacrifice: Women and Family in the Holocaust. The most frequent . Some school districts have already started taking books off their shelves even without objections from parents. Bring on the Shiplap? Book Challenges. As for Rachel? Lots of books on this list are from a series. Here is a list of banned books and how to shop. Alex Ginos novel has been on the American Library Associations Top 10 Most Challenged Books list more than once since its 2017 debut. Book bans tend to be specific to schools, towns or sometimes states. The Texas Tribune Festival is almost here! She claimed that, because it includes references to microaggressions, the book is "about critical race theory, which is forbidden by Texas law. This graphic novel, which the School Library Journal praised for its message "that periods need not be a dirty secret, is one of dozens of library books that have been flagged for removal in Keller. The Campaign to Sabotage Texass Public Schools. Laurie Halse Andersons 1999 book dives straight into the thorny subject of sexual assault. Using racial slurs to highlight racism still means that the writer used profane, hateful language. I'm done arguing with people over whether this is fascism.". The book, published in 1947, is a clear-eyed glimpse into the thoughts of a young teenager hiding in an attic to avoid being rounded up by the Nazis during World War II. Kobabes Gender Queer, which explores the authors journey to the realization that their identity is beyond the gender binary, is one of just a handful of books to appear nine times on the list. Racism is a central theme in Of Mice and Men, which details the journey of two migrant ranch workers in Depression-era California. Join the fight. "Book challenges in American schools are . Teenagers should be able to explore questions about sexuality, power, oppression, and more. Tweet The American Library Association condemns censorship and works to ensure free access to information. Maia Kobabes autobiographical graphic novel, which explores coming out to the family as nonbinary, has been criticized by religious conservatives since it was published in 2019. How many have you read from the 2022 banned books list? These themesalong with some violent passagesled to the storys first banned books case in 1994. Its also irresponsible to take this information out of schools. Despite (and perhaps because of) these heartbreaking scenes, the book is worth a readespecially if youre starting a book club. Another 40% of these books contains protagonists or prominent secondary characters of color. With all of this being said, clearly I have spent more time on this list than Krause (or, lets be honest, an assistant) did. It is one of dozens of library books that have been flagged for removal in Keller. Advocates of banning the book argue that its issues with racism and sexuality arent suitable for young readers. Some of them have already been making the rounds of book challenges, including LGBTQ books Lawn Boy and Gender Queer, as well as books addressing racism, like Out of Darkness and This Book is Anti-Racist. The characters are portrayed as animals separated by species rather than ethnicity, a bold, jarring move. This childrens book about diversity provides readers with context for the racial tensions of today and offers hope for a more antiracist world in the future. Not having this information available means that students will only know what they learn from the internet and their peers not always reliable sources. These are the top 10 Texas school districts that banned or reviewed the most books, data shows Kirkland An , Hannah Dellinger , Alejandro Serrano , Staff writers Aug. 10, 2022 Updated: Aug. 11 . They include The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison . In 1931, the governor of Chinas Hunan province thought so. And a potpourri of other random titles, including a five-book set of The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine and Eyes on Target: Inside Stories from the Brotherhood of the U.S. Navy SEALs. One of the most telling titles on this list is 100 Questions Youd Never Ask Your Parents: Straight Answers To Teens Questions About Sex, Sexuality, and Health. That state wasTennessee, where a school board banned "Maus"in January, as reported by the (Nashville)Tennessean. Others, such as Brent Sherrards Final Takedowna slim, out-of-print volume from a small Canadian publisher about a kid who faces time in juvenile detentionappear but once (in San Antonios North East Independent School District, the most avid banner of books in the state). PolitiFact Texas reached out to the user for hissource but did not hearback. Mixed into bizarre listings like a collection of political essays from 2010 or a bioethics adult book from 2005 are titles that will be familiar to you. The book has been banned several times, mostly for its profanity and references to sex. nytimes. The second volume was published in 1992 and went on to win a Pulitzer Prizethe first and only graphic novel to achieve that honor. Florida and Pennsylvania followed Texas as the states with the most bans, respectively. By Claire Moses. Adventure ensues. These are titles like The Legal Atlas of the United States, Teen Legal Rights, Gender Equality and Identity Rights (Foundations of Democracy), Equal Rights, We the Students: Supreme Court Cases for and About Students, and Peaceful Rights for Equal Rights. They have the right to review all instructional materials, and state law guarantees them access to their students records and to a school principal or administrator. Here are 50 books Texas parents have asked school districts to ban, nearly all of which deal with racism, sexuality . South Bend Tribune The American Library Association (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 729 challenges to library, school, and . "We checked four two owned it, one did not, and one did not, but had a video about it. Its difficult to say which book is the most banned in the United States. Schools across the country have banned the Harry Potter series for its themes of witchcraft as well as its portrayals of death and evil. No matter how you feel about human-size bugs, Roald Dahls James and the Giant Peach seems innocent enough at first glance. ", This young adult adaptation of "Stamped From the Beginning," Kendi's National Book Award-winning historical examination of racism, was flagged for removal by a parent in Katy, who wrote that the children's book "is littered with completely fabricated and conspiracy theory views on history" that make it seem as if "all historical events of the past were a result of racism. Instagram Twitter. A report published Thursday by the free expression group PEN America details an "alarming" and unprecedented surge in book banning across the United States, with 86 school districts in 26 states prohibiting more than 1,100 titles in classrooms and libraries over just the past eight months. Its hardly the only book about gender identity and same-sex romance to find itself banned in a Texas school or library, however. Despite its somewhat grown-up themes, Lowrys Newbery Medalwinning classic is a worthy read (or listen; its available as an audiobook on Audible) for all kids. Jonathan Evisons 2018 novel follows Mike Muoz, a 22-year-old Mexican man who cant seem to get ahead. This list has so many excellent, beloved queer YA books, like Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (both the English and Spanish versions). Kobabe's book tops the American Library Association's list for most banned books in 2021. It looks like maybe two of them mention pregnancy? ", A parent in Leander, an Austin suburb, asked for this book, which features a subplot about a teenager whos starting to notice his attraction to other boys, to be removed because the parent didn't believe "books should discuss sensitive/controversial topics such as gender,sexuality.". "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood, set in a totalitarian theocratic society where women cannot hold property or jobs. Far-right politicians, media, and religious leaders intent on stopping children from learning about race, sexual orientation, gender identity, and different cultures within the country have escalated their attacks on freedom of speech by increasing the call for banning of books. Jos R. Ralat is Texas Monthlys taco editor, writing about tacos and Mexican food. A Birdville mom wanted this book, a graphic novel featuring LGBTQ characters, removed from libraries because, she said, it "has a recurring theme of oral sex. It's one of dozens of library books that have been flagged for removal in Keller. But for the throngs of readers who have never been forced to see war head-on, the book offers a sampling of memories. Other books are listed in both English and Spanish versions, while Qu me est pasando?, Lucas y yo, and En el bosque are listed only in Spanish presumably the English versions are okay to stock. Here is just a small sampling of the books that government officials in Texas really, really don't want kids to read: Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson. below is a list of 50 books that . Across the country, PEN America found that 1,648 unique titles had been banned by schools. But its very strange to see just one title each from these prolific authors and ones that arent likely to be on the shelves at all. While Texas is seeing an influx in local requests to remove books, there is no statewide ban in place. But it's nothing new. North East Independent School District in San Antonio identified 414 books in its libraries, which are included in a list of about 850 titles compiled by Texas Rep. Matt Krause. Records requested by NBC News of nearly 100 Texas school districts found 86 formal requests to remove books from libraries in 2021, with the majority of requests coming at the end of the year afterKrause sent his letter. Even if this list made any sense, that wouldnt make it better. Bestselling author Jason Reynolds, the "Banned Books Week 2021 Honorary Chair," has two books on the most recent list: Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, co-written with Ibram X. Kendi and All . Some titles, such as Gender Queer, appear multiple times, having been banned from Canutillo (fifteen miles northwest of downtown El Paso) to Clear Creek, 785 miles to its east. Honored . Published Aug 18, 2022. The depiction of teenagers locked in a destructive cycle of drug abuse, for one. A Teens Guide to Becoming a Dad (which seems like a useful book for kids in that situation!). The fight over censorship and banned books is nothing new, but there seems to be a fresh effort to purge the shelves of so-called edgy cultural commentary (as in Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You), uncomfortable interpretations of reality (such as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and the Holocaust book Maus), discussions of gender identity (as with George M. Johnsons banned book All Boys Arent Blue) and provocative stories that could lead to political questioning (The Handmaids Tale, anyone?). Readers seem to either love or hate the . One Amazon reviewer called this heartfelt memoir a handbook for nonbinary kids that would help them feel not so alone. We cant think of a better way to describe it. As of 2010, the book was already weighed down by 39 challenges or bans. And yet it was among the top 10 most challenged books of 2020, primarily for the authors bold public words and the claims that the book includes selective snippets of history. Texas has banned 801 books, spanning 22 school . Will it reflect all soldiers experiences? The fervor around critical race theory, which describes an academic framework not taught in public schools, means that it doesnt matter how well regarded a book about race issuch titles are all over the list of banned books. . This novel, about a lesbian romance set in 1954 between a Chinese American teen and a white classmate, is one of dozens of library books that have been flagged for removal in Keller. Request your local libraries and school libraries carry anti-racist, sex ed, trans, and LGBTQ books. The School Library Journal said this graphic novel, about a boy wrestling with his sexuality at summer camp, is "an essential book that shows readers that they are never alone in their struggles." This recent series of book bans has unfolded against the backdrop of a national debate over critical race theory, a college-level academic discipline that examines how racism is embedded in the countrys legal and structural systems. The story centers on Alices disorienting adventure down a rabbit hole and into a fantasy world of talking animals and utterly absurd events (ahem, Mad Hatter tea party). What justification does Matt Krause have for libraries not being able to stock these books? This novel, about a young slave boy who becomes swept up in a struggle for his own liberation, is one of dozens of library books that have been flagged for removal in Keller. People complained, and the book landed among the top 100 most banned books in America between 1990 and 2000. We report on vital issues from politics to education and are the indispensable authority on the Texas scene, covering everything from music to cultural events with insightful recommendations. This year, I won't have to leave Texas for the fight. Summer Lopez, the chief program officer of free expression at PEN America, said whats notable about these book bans is that most are on books that families and children can elect to read, not any required reading. Nonetheless, with the increase of book bans and challenges recently, Krause appears to want to preemptively remove any books that could be challenged for causing discomfort.. "However, from there, the issue has continued to snowball on a case-by-case basis with individuals taking it upon themselves to carefully and subjectively curate a selection of books to challenge based on specific themes and genres.". With some titles restricted in multiple places, the total count of book bans is more than 2,500. Sept. 19, 20225 AM Central. "All Boys Aren't Blue," by George M. . $12 at Amazon. Out of the five banned books on the list, Jonathan Evison's "Lawn Boy," especially when considering the student population of Texas schools, is one of the most necessary to keep in the curriculum. ", This coming-of-age novel about a gay teenager came under fire in Birdville when a parent complained that it has explicit descriptions of "masterbation and genitalia.". A parent in Prosper said this novel, which tells the story of 9/11 and its aftermath from the dueling perspectives of an American boy and an Afghan girl, should be removed from schools because it "depicts American soldiers as callous, evil and terrorists" and because the author mentions the racial or ethnic identities of every character. Some disclaimers first: these are rough numbers. This award-winning nonfiction collection features interviews with transgender teens. After all, stories about kids killing each other doesnt cause students discomfort, but a book that mentions a characters gay uncle is apparently scarring. In the United States, a book might be banned from the library or a store, but that doesnt mean its illegal to read it.) Texas State Representative Matt Krause recently put more than 800 books on a watch list, many of them dealing with race and . Before long, Brave New World was topping the banned book list in at least eight U.S. states. An Eanes parent asked administrators to get rid of this novel, about a 12-year-old girl who gets involved in the Black Lives Matter movement, because it might cause a white child to feel "confusion or distress. But even before that, the authors of Stamped had begun leaving a deep imprint on libraries nonfiction collections. When the dog is stolen from his home to be sold as a sled dog, he must fight tooth and nail to survive. As the full list from PEN America indicates, book banning has become a popular cause among some in our polarized electoratebut this wasnt always the case. Leave them blank to get signed up. 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