NBC News sent public records requests to nearly 100 school districts in the Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin regions a small sampling of the states 1,250 public school systems and found 86 formal requests to remove books from libraries last year, the vast majority coming during the final four months of the year. Apr 08, 2022. Texas banned more books from school libraries this past year than any other state in the nation, targeting titles centering on race, racism, abortion and LGBTQ representation and issues, according to a new analysis by PEN America, a nonprofit organization advocating for free speech. The . Book banning is back. January 14, 2022, 8 . 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). Maya Angelous 1969 memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings unpacks the poets childhood and early years as a writer. When shes not on deadline, you can find her curled up with a new library book or road-tripping through Europe or the American West. Texas has removed more books from school libraries than in any other state this year, according to a new report released at the start of Banned . 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. ET on February 3, 2022. Keeping these books out of school libraries means students are less educated and are more likely to practice risky behavior because they dont have all the facts. "The Lawn Boy," by Jonathan . It is not taught in Texas public schools. Tue 23 Aug 2022 02.00 EDT Last modified on Tue 23 Aug 2022 09.19 EDT. The majority of requests Texas school librarians received were to ban materials covering issues of racism, sexuality and gender. Join the free Readers Digest Book Club for great reads, monthly discussions, author Q&As and a community of book lovers. For example, The Reproductive System by Alvin Silverstein from 1971 or The Seventeen Guide To Sex and Your Body from 1996. The collection of personal essays chronicles their experience as a queer Black person in the United States. ", 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. 0:00. KATY, Texas From a secluded spot in her high school library, a 17-year-old girl spoke softly into her cellphone, worried that someone might overhear her say the things she'd hidden from her parents for years. The Bluest Eye is a perfect introduction to Morrisons iconic lyrical style. Dozens of previously approved books . Despite (and perhaps because of) these heartbreaking scenes, the book is worth a readespecially if youre starting a book club. People complained, and the book landed among the top 100 most banned books in America between 1990 and 2000. IE 11 is not supported. 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. 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. Add to that a few sexually explicit scenes, and youve got a few jittery school boards purging the shelves of this YA book. 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. Parents complained about a number of books at a school board meeting in Osceola County on April 19. Books at Vandegrift High Schools library on March 2, 2022. Some go so far as to call the book anti-white. But as many point out, when a Black authors true story is deemed offensive simply for being told, readers would do well to ask themselves who provoked the abusive events in the first place. This classic novel by the Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison should be banned from schools, according to a parent in the Fort Worth suburb of Birdville, because it includes a graphic description of rape. : 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 book, in which the author interviews people who've been shamed on the internet, touches on sensitive subjects, including rape and suicide. What makes Go Ask Alice (1971) one of the most controversial books of all time? Run for your local school board and library board. Join the fight. Sept. 19, 20225 AM Central. Toni Morrisons literary and societal impact led to the USPS honoring her on one of the new 2023 stamps. Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendis book was birthed just before a swell of Black Lives Matter protests in the summer of 2020. Also, keep in mind that age category pie graph: these are mostly YA books, not board books. A list like this that attempts to be comprehensive backfires, because it implies approval for the books that arent on the list. And its not just trans kids books, its also Pugdog, which is about a kid realizing its okay for his girl dog to be slobbery and messy and not particularly girly. Anything that mentions gender, race, culture, or sexuality is up for grabs. Thats because book banning is rarely a federal matter. ", A dad in Grapevine, a Dallas suburb, asked his child's school district to ban this book, a collection of poems by women of color on topics relating to social justice, activism and discrimination, because, he said, it promotes "terrorism.". Not only is this list badly put together, with strange gaps, puzzling inclusions, and broadly applied keywords, but its goal is oppressive and dangerous. Chip Gaines Bought Larry McMurtrys Historic Texas Bookstore. What about the discomfort of queer kids who see that even mentioning people like them is categorized as inappropriate or obscene or even pornography? 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. The book hasnt changed over the past fifty years, but frank storytelling about the issues high school students face frequently makes a book a target in Texas. Contact Nusaiba Mizanat nmizan@gannett.com. How many have you read from the 2022 banned books list? 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. The work of groups organizing and advocating to ban books in schools is especially harmful to students from historically marginalized backgrounds, who are forced to experience stories that validate their lives vanishing from classrooms and library shelves, Friedman said. It's one of dozens of library books that have been flagged for removal in Keller. The result? Teens are going to be curious about sex whether books on sex ed are in the library or not. 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." Sign up to Today In Books to receive daily news and miscellany from the world of books. 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. Readers seem to either love or hate the story of three awkward teens as they navigate an impossible situation. Krause doesnt give any reason or justification for challenging LGBTQ books, despite them being the majority of the books listed. Please! Multiple incidents of book-banning in EuropeItaly, Yugoslavia and Nazi territories, specificallyfor this historical novel. Greg Abbott showed support for Krause'sscrutiny of school books, Texas officials to target obscene content in school libraries at governor's request, An Octoberanalysis by The Dallas Morning News, Records requested by NBC News of nearly 100 Texas school districts found 86 formal requests to remove books from libraries in 2021, as reported by the (Nashville)Tennessean, Top 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books: 2010-2019, Leander removes 13 books from high school book club lists amid parent concerns, 'Absurd': Author of 'Maus' condemns Tennessee school's decision to pull book on Holocaust, Here are 50 books Texas parents want banned from school libraries, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Whats controversial about a book on inventions?? Its about curriculum. (Montinique Monroe/For The . For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. 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. In a letter, he asked Texas school . 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. This book, lauded for its portrayal of a transgender child, is one of dozens of library books that have been flagged for removal in Keller. ", In asking to ban this book about the plight of a Black working-class family as they prepare for Hurricane Katrina, a parent in Katy wrote, "I object to the explicit description of the teenage girl having sex with the boys in her social group. Usually that meansa committee of educators and parents is appointed to read the book and evaluate its educational value. Texas has banned 801 books, spanning 22 school . 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." Do they have to comply? The novel has been banned and challenged more than once, usually because of the rape scene. 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. The Wheres Waldo? Discussions of race or sex, or just the wrong vibes, seem to be all it takes to number a book among the 801 bannings in Texas this year. Lopez said her organization could not recall a previous year with as many reported book bans. (The film adaptation, which similarly deals with anti-fascist themes, is also banned in China and Russia.). Dreadnought (H.I.V.E. "As there is no central organization in Texas tracking every book that is challenged, it is almost impossible to say whether one particular title has been banned in Texas public schools or libraries in the past. One day before students returned to classrooms in North Texas, a school district ordered principals and librarians to remove books including the Bible and a graphic novel adaptation of Anne Frank . Of course, The Hunger Games isnt listed, and neither is Battle Royale. Texas state Rep. Matt Krause, from Fort Worth, who chairs the Texas House's General Investigating Committee, made a 16-page list of roughly 850 book titles he said might make students feel "discomfort." Driving the news: Granbury ISD pulled at least 125 books from school libraries as part of a review and some students were furious. 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. "Maus" by Art Spiegelman depicts the author askinghis father, aHolocaust survivor, abouthis experiences. "Gender Queer: A Memoir," by Maia Kobabe. Alex Ginos novel has been on the American Library Associations Top 10 Most Challenged Books list more than once since its 2017 debut. 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 . Florida banned 566 books, and 457 titles were banned in Pennsylvania, where a majority of books were removed from one school district in York County, which is known as being more conservative. The books tragic ending begs the reader to answer: Would you rather be happy or free? The book has been banned several times, mostly for its profanity and references to sex. 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. Photo Courtesy: Montinique Monroe/The Washington Post/Getty Images. . Reasons: Banned for graphic sex scenes, sexual abuse, drug use, and alcohol use. July 31, 2022. Most complaints stem from the memoirs true depictions of rape and molestation. 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. 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. 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. PEN Americas analysis also found that these bans have been largely driven by organized groups formed over the last year to combat pornographic and CRT materials in school. As communities and school districts push for book bans, some Texas librarians are nearing their breaking point. ", 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.". As with Alex Ginos George, the motivation behind banning this book is painfully apparent. T he wave of book reviews and removals that swept across Texas in the last year was driven more by politicians than parents, a Houston Chronicle analysis found . A stack of books that have been challenged or banned in Texas, April 2022. Poetry isnt exempt, eitherAnd Still I Rise, the third collection of poems by the great Maya Angelou, is on the list, as well. And heres a quick guide to the ones schools dont want kids to read. #4) is listed twice, but I also have no idea why its listed at all, and I can only assume they got it confused with the trans YA novel Dreadnought (also listed). and Ten that NEED to Be Banned! A Right-wing Cabal Took Over Odessas Municipal Government. Kids need information about puberty and sex. 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. Leandra Beabout is a lifestyle writer covering health, travel and literature. With some titles restricted in multiple places, the total count of book bans is more than 2,500. 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. "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.". We recommend our users to update the browser. The second in a series of young adult fantasy novels, this is one of dozens of library books that have been flagged for removal in Keller. A Huge Merger's Collapse Breaks a Pattern of Consolidation in Publishing. Instagram Twitter. Between 2021 and 2022, there were a considerable number of books banned or challenged in the United States. Originally published in 1999, its about a towns controversy over the high schools sex ed program, and a school board member tries to get all the sex ed material, including textbooks, removed from the school. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. Books on race and sexuality are disappearing from Texas schools in record numbers. The Bible is among dozens of books removed from this Texas school district. Are all the other books in the series allowed? This 1937 book by Nobel Prizewinning author John Steinbeck has been pulled from shelves for almost a century. A parent in McKinney asked the district to remove this coming-of-age novel because it includes descriptions of homosexuality, date rape and masturbation. Its obvious why some parents might feel bewildered by this nonsensical book. The most egregious example for me is that The You Ive Never Known by Ellen Hopkins is on this list, which is a book about teen pregnancy, but its the only book by the author included. 8 min read. According to the American Library Association, it has been challenged for vulgarity and sexual overtones. With Season 5 of The Handmaids Tale now available to watch on Hulu, there has been a growing interest in reading the book that inspired this hit show. While having books from the Foundations of Democracy and Stop Bullying Now! "All Boys Aren't Blue," by George M. . Antiracist books, sex ed books, and LGBTQ books are exactly the kinds of topics that should be in school libraries. For 10 years, I "smuggled" banned books across state lines to bring attention to crucial literature. Though frequently included in high school curriculums, this book has been banned in the past for obvious reasons: senseless and, according to some, gratuitous violence. Margaret Atwoods bestselling book (which inspired the Hulu TV show) is as dystopian as they come. Nudity (of animals) and profanity. A group of women, called "handmaids,"are forced to produce children for the ruling class of men. Withholding information from students about their rights is incredibly unethical. While Texas is seeing an influx in local requests to remove books, there is no statewide ban in place. Mimi Swartz is a staff writer based in Houston. Most of the targeted books have to do with race, gender, and sexuality.Unlike most book challenges in the past, whereby parents or other stakeholders in the community would engage teachers and school administrators in a debate over a title, local groups have received support from . Youll also find lots of award-winning books, like the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Confessions of Nat Turner by William Styron and Harvey Awards Book of the Year The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen. Thank you for signing up! Robinson wrote that it is possible titles mentioned in the tweet may have been discussedon the local level. Book bans tend to be specific to schools, towns or sometimes states. or the adult book Abortion & the Politics of Motherhood from 1985. 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. As the controversy around The Breakaways indicates, book-banners seem to contend that any depiction of gay or transgender charactersor nonfiction explorations of those identitiesis inherently inappropriate for kids. Some school districts have already started taking books off their shelves even without objections from parents. By far the most common combination was YA LGBTQ Fiction. Some schools have challenged the fantastical story for language, plus tobacco and alcohol references. In 1931, the governor of Chinas Hunan province thought so. 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. 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. (Most of the formal library challenges submitted to the Keller Independent School District were filled out on behalf of parents by a school administrator and don't specify why the parents sought to have the books removed.). He believed it was disastrous to put animals and human beings on the same level, as the book does. The PEN study, which took place from July 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, documented 1,145 unique book titles banned, across 86 school districts in 26 states, and affecting over 2 million students. 2:29 PM on Sep 19, 2022 CDT. They have questions that they deserve answers to. This award-winning nonfiction collection features interviews with transgender teens. 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. The Best New Fantasy Books of July 2022By Lacy Baugher MilasJuly 1, 2022 | 11:25am; Over the past year, schools and libraries around the country have been banning a whole lot of books. Lots of books on this list are from a series. ", A Katy mom asked to ban this graphic novel about a Black seventh grader at a mostly white school. A Leander parent suggested replacing children's books that mention gender identity or sexuality, including this one, with "classics," such as "White Fang," "The Indian in the Cupboard,""The Swiss Family Robinson" and Shakespeare. The parents challenging these books say that sex ed should be taught in the home, by parents, but that ignores that many households wont do this, and also that most teens dont feel comfortable talking to their parents about sex. Conservative parents have swarmed school board meetings in Texas and across the country in recent months to call for the removal of library books that deal with race, racism, sex, gender and sexuality. But only four of the 10 districts removed books. The most frequent books removed included Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe, which depicts Kobabes journey of gender identity and sexual orientation; The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison; Roe v. Wade: A Woman's Choice? by Susan Dudley Gold; Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Prez, which follows a love story between a Mexican American teenage girl and a Black teen boy in 1930s East Texas; and All Boys Arent Blue by George M. Johnson, a personal account of growing up black and queer in Plainfield, New Jersey. In the five years since its publication, Thomas's debut novel has become a downright phenomenon. Of course, the debate over Steinbecks prized work is similar to the ones around the likes of To Kill a Mockingbird. Its no wonder Go Ask Alice has been banned time and time again for its explicit themes. Texas-based NBC reporter Mike Hixenbaugh spoke . Through Scouts eyes, readers bear witness to the deep injustice of the situation along with the bittersweet lessons of growing up. The librarian alsonoted adistrict in another state removed the title "Maus" from its curriculum, not library. Across the country, PEN America found that 1,648 unique titles had been banned by schools. Between July 2021 and March 2022, PEN America analyzed news stories on challenges, restrictions, and bans on books, to find that books had been banned in 2,899 schools across the country over the . 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. 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. The story follows young Max, who is sent to bed without supper because he ran wildly through the house. Join us for Texas biggest politics and policy event when you buy your tickets today. So we would say it's true that high school libraries 'sometimes'have Mein Kampf.". 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. The graphic novel version of The Lottery by Shirley Jackson is also included, which is an incredibly common story to teach in schools I taught it twice in my brief stint as a high school English teacher! "Certainly, there is a political impetus behind it. . Again, I would be very surprised if any school has this book on their shelves in the first place. From Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 22-24, in downtown Austin, TribFest attendees will enjoy three days full of mind-expanding events, conversations and panels featuring more than 350 big names including Chris Bosh, Pete Buttigieg, Liz Cheney, Annette Gordon-Reed and many others. Perhaps thats because Gender Queer unflinchingly portrays and normalizes topics still often misunderstood: adolescent sexuality, asexuality and the differences between gender identity and sexuality. The pages brim with real-world stories of homophobia, transphobia, sexual and gender identity struggles, and the ups and downs of transitioning. ", A Katy mom said this graphic novel, the second in a series, should be removed from schools because it will make white children feel guilty and "kids will be brainwashed that one race is superior than the other. They include The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison . Most have been banned by administrators, while others are the result of a formal challenge from a parent or other community member. She noted Texas public schools have clear, transparent processes approved by school boardsfor addressing book challenges. 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? Its a beautiful and tender coming-of-age story that offers readers a glimpse of love and creativity, yes, but also racism and trauma. Sherman Alexies semi-autobiographical young adult novel about an amateur cartoonist has made waves since 2007. Thats a huge number! Theyre subjects that kids and teens are curious about, and they may not be things they feel comfortably speaking to their parents about. 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. Updated: 10:17 PM CST January 27, 2022. "The Handmaid's Tale" was the seventh most challenged and banned book in 2019 nationally for "vulgarity and sexual overtones. Whats more, denying kids this information puts them in danger. Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors. Can College Sports Get More Absurd Than SMU Joining the Pac-12? Tweet The American Library Association condemns censorship and works to ensure free access to information. Sex scenes, the Reproductive System by Alvin Silverstein texas banned books 2022 list 1971 or the adult book &. Banned by schools jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendis book was birthed before! 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The American library Association condemns censorship and works to ensure free access to information anti-fascist! Or justification for challenging LGBTQ books, sex ed books, despite them being majority! Since its publication, Thomas & # x27 ; t Blue, & quot ; by Maia Kobabe memoirs... Banned for graphic sex scenes, the motivation behind banning this book is painfully apparent that! Been pulled from shelves for almost a century which inspired the Hulu TV )... Story of three awkward teens as they come explicit themes the country PEN! Mind that age category pie graph: these are mostly YA books, spanning 22 school recall a year!