a joint project of NCAC and ABFFE

It’s raining here in New York, and it also seems to be raining book censorship news!  From near and far, here’s the round up of book challenges we’re watching.

  1. A woman in West Bend, WI, has submitted a complaint to the West Bend Library because she objects to books in the youth section of the library that address LGBTQ issues.  The March 3 library board meeting was postponed until later this month due to insufficient space for the large number of attendees.
  2. Once again, And Tango Makes Three, a picture book about baby penguin, Tango, and her two dads, was challenged – this time in Farmington, MN.  But late last week, the resource review committee of Independent School District 192 decided unanimously to keep the book in elementary school libraries throughout the district.
  3. The Boy Book may be challenged at Keller ISD in Keller, TX.  The parent of a middle school student objected to the book and met with school officials.  She may initiate a formal challenge.
  4. As we reported last week, the Muscogee County (GA) School District will keep My Brother Sam is Dead in elementary school libraries.  However, the Ledger-Enquirer reports that the parent who challenged the book is starting a petition drive to have parents send permission slips specifying whether or not their children may read books that have “been banned, or questioned, or has questionable things in it.” But who determines which library books are “questionable,” and to whom?
  5. Grants Pass School District, Grants Pass, OR.  School officials removed Help the Forest by Rita Crosby from first grade classes after complaints about the way the book portrays loggers. Also picked up in The New Yorker.
  6. On Friday, we sent a letter to the Crook County School Board and Superintendent regarding the continued ban on classroom use of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.  You can read our letter here.
  7. We’ll close with good news!
    Following challenges to In Country by Bobbie Ann Mason, Chinese Handcuffs by Chris Crutcher, and The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison in 11th grade advanced English classes, a review committee at Delphi Community School Corporation in Delphi, IN, recommended that the books be kept in classes.

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