Tue 23 Aug 2022 02.00 EDT Last modified on Tue 23 Aug 2022 09.19 EDT. Despite the poignant themes, The Kite Runner has been banned multiple times for referencing sexual violence and promot[ing] Islam.. ", A viral Feb. 1 tweetsaid, "Books banned in Texas include 1984,Maus,and The Handmaid's Tale, but not Mein Kampf. Here are the 50 most commonly banned books in America from the 2021-2022 school year, with data supplied by PEN America. Other countries soon followed suit. ", According to a Houston parent, reading this novel about a Black boy killed by police might cause white children who attend the Spring Branch Independent School District to feel ashamed based on color of their skin.. https://gvan42.blogspot.com/2022/08/ban-my . or the adult book Abortion & the Politics of Motherhood from 1985. Double your gift when you give by 6 p.m. Thursday. These books are theoretically related to House Bill 3979, a so-called anti- CRT bill . South Bend Tribune The American Library Association (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 729 challenges to library, school, and . As of 2010, the book was already weighed down by 39 challenges or bans. Like many other banned stories, Gender Queer is perfect for members of the LGBTQ+ community and anyone who wants to be a better ally to their fellow humans. Between 2021 and 2022, there were a considerable number of books banned or challenged in the United States. The books tragic ending begs the reader to answer: Would you rather be happy or free? The Bible is among dozens of books removed from this Texas school district. So what makes the cast of characters and plot so shudder inducing? A vast majority of the books named in the state letter are about or referencesexuality, LGBTQ+ identity, and race. 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. Please! Instagram Twitter. Sex education books for kids and teens have been facing increased censorship this year, including classics like Its Perfectly Normal (yep, that ones on the list!) The American Library Association noted online, "Due to the commitment of librarians, teachers, parents, students and other concerned citizens, most challenges are unsuccessful and most materials are retained in the school curriculum or library collection.". But is its psychedelic-like prose worth banning? 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. This keyword approach means that books like Thinking Out Loud: On the Personal, the Political, the Public and the Private, an adult book of political essays from 1994 is on this list, presumably because it mentions writing about gays in the description. Its not just antiracist books, its also titles like Quinceaera by Ilan Stavans, which is just a nonfiction book about a cultural celebration. Who considers it dangerous for kids to know their rights? So speak out against this kind of censorship and bullying behavior from school and government officials. Again, some of these books are nonsensical to assume are being shelved in school libraries, like Whose Life? according to the American Library Association, a popular culture librarian at Texas Tech University, heightened scrutiny around what is being taught in schools, When Gov. Posted by Reggie Jackson | Apr 25, 2022 "In total, for the nine-month period represented (July 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022), the Index lists 1,586 instances of individual books being banned, affecting 1,145 unique book titles. Claire Lawrence. This collection of poetry and short stories about violence, abuse, love, loss and femininity is one of dozens of library books that have been flagged for removal in Keller. Of the 81 book challenges, 42% had no changes, 27% were restricted to older grades and almost a third ended in the removal of 18 titles. The jurys still out for banned books of 2022, but here are the top 10 most challenged books of 2021, according to the American Library Association: Lets start with the banned book on everybodys mind these days: Maus, a memoir in graphic novel form. by Brooke Park May 17 . January 14, 2022, 8 . While readers were searching for Waldo after the book was originally published in 1987, they spotted something: a partially topless woman sunbathing in a beach scene. According to a list compiled by the literature and human rights nonprofit PEN America, between July 1 of last year and June 30, Texas has seen 801 bannings. ", A parent in Plano said this coming-of-age novel about a Mexican American character's journey to understanding his own sexuality and ethnic identity should be banned because it contains "profanity, pornography, gambling, homosexuality." Readers seem to either love or hate the story of three awkward teens as they navigate an impossible situation. I hope that school districts refuse to bow to this bullying and censorious tactic by the Texas lawmaker. Keller ISD has policies in place to allow parents, employees, or community members to challenge the content of books that are available to students. 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. On October 25, Texas Republican State Representative Matt Krause sent a letter to the Texas Education Agency asking if any of the schools in the state have the books listed on a 16 page spreadsheet, as well as how much in funds schools had spent on these books. But theres no doubt hes talented when it comes to landscaping. The book offers the story of Percola Breedlove, a Black girl who longs for blue eyes. 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. I went through all 850 books to find out, and I found some interesting and unsettling things. 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. Can College Sports Get More Absurd Than SMU Joining the Pac-12? Parents in Keller and Spring Branch complained that this graphic novel, which features a transgender character, should be off-limits for young students because it includes images of children kissing in bed. Banned Books in the Texas Prison System (2011) The Virginia Department of Corrections (DOC) also allegedly maintained a list of books partially named on this site. Well, profanity, for one. Thats a huge number! Katy ISD . It's interesting to me because the political right, in both the UK and US, are obsessed . 0:00. Whether its on the news or your Facebook feed, youve probably noticed comments about the rise in book banning in libraries and schools. A parent in McKinney asked the district to remove this coming-of-age novel because it includes descriptions of homosexuality, date rape and masturbation. This illustrated children's book about a transgender child based on the real-life experiences of one of the authors is one of dozens of library books that have been flagged for removal in Keller. 2020 Black Lives Matter Marches Joyce Markovics $30.64 in cart Backorder A Complicated Love Story Set in Space Shaun David Hutchinson $19.99 $18.59 in cart add to cart . In 1994, the book was banned in Alaska and Pennsylvania schools for graphic descriptions and offensive language. 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. 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). So why has the book been banned, you ask? The report released on Monday found that school administrators in Texas have banned 801 books across 22 school districts, and 174 titles were banned at least twice between July 2021 through June 2022. Greg Abbott has put a promise to increase parental rights at the center of his reelection platform. appeared on a list of around 850 books produced by Republican Texas Rep. Matt Krause. Join the free Readers Digest Book Club for great reads, monthly discussions, author Q&As and a community of book lovers. Here are just a few of the most frequently banned books we think everyone should read. The story follows Melissa, who her teacher and classmates call George. If you like this one, check out more books by Latinx authorstheyre great reads whether youre part of the community or just looking to experience stories from a culture outside your own. by Brian Lopez But no, her diary hasnt been removed from libraries because of the terror undergirding this heartbreaking account. For 10 years, I "smuggled" banned books across state lines to bring attention to crucial literature. Keep an eye on your inbox. Many of them are books that arent coming out stories, but are SFF or adventures or mysteries that happen to have an LGBTQ character. (The format of Title : subtitle is common in library records, but not in most other places.) Its hardly the only book about gender identity and same-sex romance to find itself banned in a Texas school or library, however. Are all the other books in the series allowed? A Katy parent asked to have this children's biography of the former first lady banned at every grade level because, the parent said, it unfairly depicts former President Donald Trump as a bully and because Obama's reflections on race gave the impression that "if you sound like a white girl you should be ashamed of yourself. Comments. This rapidly accelerating movement has resulted in more and more students losing access to literature that equips them to meet the challenges and complexities of democratic citizenship, Jonathan Friedman, director of PEN Americas free expression and education programs and the lead author of the report, said in a statement. PEN America defines a ban as any action taken against a book based on its content after challenges from parents or lawmakers. Common complaints focus on the novellas racial slurs and stereotypes. Wayward Witch by Zoraida Cordova, but not the first two in the series even though the first one has a bisexual main character and the second two have straight main characters. ", A parent in Prosper, a Dallas suburb, said this illustrated children's book, which touches on the racism that Olympian Wilma Rudolph experienced growing up in Tennessee in the 1940s, should be removed from school libraries because "it opines prejudice based on race. Published in 2012, this irreverent book about dying is still one of the most banned books in 2022. All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson But the oddest reason? Probably the one that has me the most stumped is Inventions and Inventors by Roger Smith from 2002. Even Bibles were written in languages that the "everyman" didn't necessarily read, which meant the church remained the ultimate source of information and authority. 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. 2022, 6:33 PM UTC . Perennial banned-book list titles such as Of Mice and Men make an appearance, as does John Irvings The Cider House Rules. It is not taught in Texas public schools. Angie Thomass 2017 New York Times bestseller frequently appears on lists of banned stories. Across the country, more books have been challenged and removed as religious and conservative groups target LGBTQ and race issues. The Round Rock Black Parents Association mobilized against calls to remove a book on the history of racist ideas in the U.S. from the school reading list Published January 28, 2022 Updated on . It is one of dozens of library books that have been flagged for removal in Keller. Follow her on Twitter at @nusaiblah. Also, school boards must establish a way to consider complaints from parents. Texas book challenges can be traced to last October, when state Rep. Matt Krause, R-Fort Worth, sent a list of some 850 books about race and sexuality including Kobabes to school districts asking for information about how many of those are available on their campuses. 8 min read. But some folks in the trans community have also criticized it for being voyeuristicthough the book features trans voices, its written by (and thus benefits) a non-trans author. "All Boys Aren't Blue," by George M. Johnson . IE 11 is not supported. Of course, sometimes book banning backfires. About 5% of the books banned have to do with pregnancy. The list also include books that are warning about the dangers of sex or that are teaching abstinence. After all, stories about kids killing each other doesnt cause students discomfort, but a book that mentions a characters gay uncle is apparently scarring. By far the most common combination was YA LGBTQ Fiction. 28. Even titles that seem downright clinical in their examination of the history of gay folks in America make the listJaime A. Sebas Gay Issues and Politics: Marriage, the Military, & Work Place Discrimination, a 64-page explanation of its eponymous topic, has been banned twice. Book-banning attempts have grown in the U.S. over the . Sept. 19, 20225 AM Central. "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood, set in a totalitarian theocratic society where women cannot hold property or jobs. Wynne Davis. Add to that a few sexually explicit scenes, and youve got a few jittery school boards purging the shelves of this YA book. A Texas School District Banned My Book. What makes Go Ask Alice (1971) one of the most controversial books of all time? Scrutiny of books in schools intensified in Texas last year, as state Rep. Matt Krause, R-Fort Worth, chairman of the House Committee on General Investigating, requested that superintendents catalog nearly 850 titlesrelated to race and sex or that couldproduce"discomfort" among students. Maro Siranosians/AFP/Getty Images. Some disclaimers first: these are rough numbers. Schools across the country have banned the Harry Potter series for its themes of witchcraft as well as its portrayals of death and evil. 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. Nudity (of animals) and profanity. The Bluest Eye is a perfect introduction to Morrisons iconic lyrical style. Read more: Books on race and sexuality are disappearing from Texas schools in record numbers. Those in favor of banning this book cant seem to agree on a reason, though: Its been banned for being both too religious and not religious enough. Texas-based NBC reporter Mike Hixenbaugh spoke . In 1999, one small Wisconsin town officially made it one of its banned books after claiming that a scene in which a spider licks her lips could be taken in two ways, including sexual. Cant say that would have been our first thought. Queer and trans books save lives. 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. But if this ban holds up, students could not check the book out from their school library, nor could teachers use the book (even in an academic sense) in the classroom. The 2022 book ban list includes titles that have been restricted in previous years. 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." And while this is a nationwide phenomenon, no states schools have embraced the practice of declaring certain stories and perspectives forbidden to their young people the way that Texass have. Some are banned in school libraries, others in classrooms. Simon . I tracked three data points for each book: fiction or nonfiction, age category, and presumed reason for the book being challenged. The tweet does not specify whether it is referring to Krause'sletter to superintendentsbutthe books named in the letter have not been removedfrom libraries statewide. 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 . "All Boys Aren't Blue," by George M. . Books about teen misfits such as Rainbow Rowells Eleanor & Park or Stephen Chboskys The Perks of Being a Wallflower both appear. 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