Its not just weighty titles getting banned, eitherL.C. What does it say about an elected official that he would want books about students legal rights taken out of school libraries? So speak out against this kind of censorship and bullying behavior from school and government officials. Book bans tend to be specific to schools, towns or sometimes states. In 1994, the book was banned in Alaska and Pennsylvania schools for graphic descriptions and offensive language. Theres also This Is Your Time by Ruby Bridges, written by one of the first Black students to integrate into an all-white school. 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. Whats more, denying kids this information puts them in danger. 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?). 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. The story was first published in 1980 as a magazine serial but really gained attention when it was released as the first volume of Maus: A Survivors Tale in 1986. Wynne Davis. 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. Florida and Pennsylvania followed Texas as the states with the most bans, respectively. While libraries attempt to keep all their collections up-to-date, politically charged topics like abortion will be updated the most, because information becomes out of date very quickly. Texas led the country with the most book bans - 713 - affecting 16 school districts, followed by Pennsylvania and . Lots of these books have queer side characters, not main characters. Dark magic, evil villains, sorcerers, oh my! Some disclaimers first: these are rough numbers. Proponents for book banningare painting this issue "with a broad brush" forpolitical support while taking the decision-making process away from children andparents, Robinson said. Mike Hixenbaugh is a senior investigativereporter for NBC News, based in Houston. Books such as Ashley Hope Prezs Out of Darkness, Jesse Andrewss Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, and Lauren Myracles l8r, g8r all appear on the list (nine, seven, and four times, respectively) for touching on sexual themes, featuring teens who talk about sex, or depicting sexual abuse. She claimed that, because it includes references to microaggressions, the book is "about critical race theory, which is forbidden by Texas law. Tracing the story of a 17-year-old girl who's beginning to question her sexual orientation, this is one of dozens of library books that have been flagged for removal in Keller. George M. Johnsons memoir-manifesto about his coming out, All Boys Arent Blue, appears seven times; Susan Kuklins 2014 nonfiction collection of interviews, Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out, appears five times, as does Mike Curatos comic book memoir Flamer. 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. Even dad-friendly political thrillers can land on the list if abortion comes upbestselling author and occasional Fox News contributor Richard North Pattersons Protect and Defend received an administrators challenge as well. The process is similar in public libraries with selections made based on guidelines approved by the library's governing authority. This book, a collection of interviews with transgender or gender-neutral young adults, was flagged for removal by a parent in Birdville who claimed that the book, which includes descriptions of sexual abuse of minors, encourages sexual activity among young children. The most frequent . The Bible is among dozens of books removed from this Texas school district. A viral Feb. 1 tweet that garnered at least . While having books from the Foundations of Democracy and Stop Bullying Now! Its banned books about sex and books about race, and books about those whose white hoods hide their face. Balzer & Bray/Harperteen The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas. 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. The ensuing confusionboth internal and externalresults in her being ghosted by her peers. The series is called Y: The Last Man, but all other series here are listed by individual volume. Winner of the 2020 National Book Award for Young People's Literature, this novel deals with themes such as grief, love, family, friendship, racism and sexuality. Tue 23 Aug 2022 02.00 EDT Last modified on Tue 23 Aug 2022 09.19 EDT. 0:52. Then weve got three adult romances from E. Lynn Harris, which again suggests that adult romance or erotica books in general are fine, but just not these particular ones. Possibly the portrayals of orgies, drugs and rampant consumerism in exchange for personal freedom. Additionally, "1984," "Maus" and "The Handmaid's Tale" are not named in a state effort to scrutinize certain books, though"The Handmaid's Tale:The Graphic Novel" by Margaret Atwood and Renee Nault is included on the list. He believed it was disastrous to put animals and human beings on the same level, as the book does. 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. Along with books written for teens to understand their bodies and sexuality, this list also includes any books about abortion or pregnancy, including history books about Roe vs. Wade or debates about abortion. Books about teen misfits such as Rainbow Rowells Eleanor & Park or Stephen Chboskys The Perks of Being a Wallflower both appear. Some schools have challenged the fantastical story for language, plus tobacco and alcohol references. : A Balanced, Comprehensive View of Abortion from its Historical Context to the Current Debate, 100 Questions Youd Never Ask Your Parents: Straight Answers To Teens Questions About Sex, Sexuality, and Health, Thinking Out Loud: On the Personal, the Political, the Public and the Private, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, Eyes on Target: Inside Stories from the Brotherhood of the U.S. Navy SEALs, Life, Death and Sacrifice: Women and Family in the Holocaust, More Politicians Need To Address Book Bans: Book Censorship News, February 24, 2023, How to Talk About Book Bans With Friends, Library Patrons, and More: Book Censorship News, February 17, 2023, Write Your Legislators About Banned Books Right Now With This Template: Book Censorship News, February 10, 2023, The Book Banners Recruitment Agenda: Book Censorship News, February 3, 2023, An Open Letter to Stephen King: Book Censorship News, January 27, 2023, Proposed Legislation in Several States to Eliminate LGBTQ+, Obscene Books: Book Censorship News, January 20, 2023, Childrens and Middle Grade: 149 (17.55%), LGBTQ: 509 (59.95%), including Trans: 118 (13.95% of total), Misc: 124 (14.61%), including Pregnancy: 49 (5.77%), Abortion (not Sex Ed): 43 (5.06%), and Unknown 163 (19.20%). 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. Other countries soon followed suit. Leandra Beabout is a lifestyle writer covering health, travel and literature. Another 40% of these books contains protagonists or prominent secondary characters of color. (In both instances, its Maia Kobabes award-winning comic book memoir Gender Queer, which has also been banned in nine districts in Texas. Over the past year, schools and libraries around the country have been banning a whole lot of books. Whats controversial about a book on inventions?? Starrs careful balancing act crumbles when a police officer kills her unarmed friend. Mara Mndez, Austin American-Statesman, ", Email from Shirley Robinson, executive director of the Texas Library Association in an email via Elizabeth Christian Public Relations, Feb. 8, 2022, American Library Association, "Banned & Challenged Classics", Maria Mndez, Austin American-Statesman, "Abbott push to probe pornography in schools prompts question: When is a book pornographic? According to PEN America, in that period, there were 1,586 books banned. Thank you for signing up! A viral Feb. 1 tweet that garnered at least 16,100 retweets and 65,800 likes by Australian user @AnthCondon said, "Books banned in Texas include 1984,Maus,and The Handmaid's Tale, but not Mein Kampf. or the adult book Abortion & the Politics of Motherhood from 1985. When her dream comes true, it turns out to be more nightmare than fantasy. Lots of books on this list are from a series. ", 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. I tracked three data points for each book: fiction or nonfiction, age category, and presumed reason for the book being challenged. But even before that, the authors of Stamped had begun leaving a deep imprint on libraries nonfiction collections. How many have you read from the 2022 banned books list? Texas librarians face harassment as they navigate book bans. This content contains affiliate links. Greg Abbott has capitalized on a highly public effort to pull "pornographic or obscene" books from school libraries, following the efforts of state Rep. Matt Krause (R), who's circulated a list of more than 800 books that purportedly cross the line. PEN America defines a ban as any action taken against a book based on its content after challenges from parents or lawmakers. In a letter, he asked Texas school . Keller ISD has policies in place to allow parents, employees, or community members to challenge the content of books that are available to students. The parent claimed the book encourages "admiring people with low morals and values, and hate of other people. 50. Its banned books about what the Nazis did to the Jews, and beloved old books by the great Judy Blume. One neednt be a National Book Award winner to get on the list for writing about race, eitherDuncan Tonatiuhs history book for young readers, Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Familys Fight for Desegregation, makes the list, as does Mychal Denzel Smiths memoir Invisible Man, Got the Whole World Watching: A Young Black Mans Education. By Meghan Mangrum. Drawing from those records, below is a list of 50 books that Texas parents tried to ban in 2021. By Itinerant Literate Books Banned Books 2022 "Any book worth banning is a book worth reading." . 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. ", Nov. 29, 2021. Here are 50 books Texas parents have asked school districts to ban, nearly all of which deal with racism, sexuality . The 2022 book ban list includes titles that have been restricted in previous years. 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. A librarian who is a member of#FReadom, a collective of librarians who highlight the work of libraries and books in reaction to Krause's letter, saidthey weren't aware of any of thebooks mentioned in the tweet being recentlychallenged in Texas, other than "The Handmaid's Tale: The Graphic Novel." Art Spiegelmans Pulitzer Prizewinning history of the Holocaust, the comic book Maus, appears on the list, as does Ari Folmans graphic adaptation of Anne Franks Diary of a Young Girl. Here are just a few of the most frequently banned books we think everyone should read. . Their stance hasnt affected the popularity of the book (or its movie adaptation)its widely considered one of the greatest books of all time. No matter how you feel about human-size bugs, Roald Dahls James and the Giant Peach seems innocent enough at first glance. To be clear, Im not even counting books about reproductive rights or your rights as an LGBTQ person in particular. Sherman Alexies semi-autobiographical young adult novel about an amateur cartoonist has made waves since 2007. Of all the things to teach in school or for kids to have access to, this is one of the most important. "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" by . 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 . The DC Comics graphic novel Y: The Last Man also makes the list, maybe because its a science fiction story about everyone with a Y chromosome dying, and thatd be a bummer? PolitiFact Texas reached out to the user for hissource but did not hearback. Many school curricula and parents of teens have objected to having the young adult novel "Charlie and the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" available in public libraries. Popular Banned Books You Should Read in 2022 . In the midst of continuing Republican-led political fights over how issues related to race, gender and sex are allowed to be taught in public schools, Gov. Robinson wrote that it is possible titles mentioned in the tweet may have been discussedon the local level. Separately, some school boards in Texas have moved to remove books from libraries, as books have been challenged and banned in other states as well. In the story, Junior leaves behind his school on the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white public high school with a Native American mascot. A Katy mom asked administrators to remove this book, about a 17-year-old gay student who has a lot of sex and isnt ashamed of it, after reading explicit passages aloud at a school board meeting: We cannot unread this type of content," she said, "and I would like to protect my kids hearts and minds from this., A parent in San Antonio asked the Northside Independent School District to ban this work historical fiction, set during the Nazis siege of Leningrad, because it includes pornographic imagery that is "not suited for the majority" of readers, the parent wrote, adding, " unless you're into that.". It is important to note that in 2013, a pair of civil rights organizations sued the Virginia Department of Corrections after the groups' inmate legal guide to challenging prison . Nate Expectations, the third book in a series about a gay kids, but not the first two. "Out of Darkness," by Ashley Hope Prez. I cannot overstate what a weird, jumbled mess this list is, and after considering it seriously, I can conclusively say it should not be taken seriously. That may as well have been a lifetime ago, however, as the length and breadth of the list indicates. Its about curriculum. And some feel compelled to buy the restricted work as a vote for free speechlike the teens whove created banned book clubs in protest. South Bend Tribune The American Library Association (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 729 challenges to library, school, and . These books are theoretically related to House Bill 3979, a so-called anti- CRT bill . Granbury Independent School District, a small public school district south of Fort Worth, Texas, became a scrimmage line in the state's ongoing controversy over book censorship in January 2022 . 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." That night, Maxs dreams take him to a dark land where he becomes king of the Wild Things and leads a loud, hair-raising Wild Rumpus. It was tough enough for author Maurice Sendak to get his borderline dark book published, but when it finally hit shelves in 1963, it (like Max) got in even more trouble. For anyone who thought The Fault in Our Stars was too saccharine, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl offers an alternative: a book about teens and dying that feels just crass and off-kilter enough to be genuine. It looks like maybe two of them mention pregnancy? Book banning is back. Though sometimes billed as a novel, this 2009 book is more of a collection of short vignettes and essays, all somewhat autobiographical portrayals of the authors time in Vietnam. Banned Books 2022. 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