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BOOKS CHALLENGED OR BANNED 2014-2015

Robert P. Doyle 2 CHALLENGED CHALLENGED OR OR BANNED, BANNED, 2O14–2O15 2O14–2O15 Books Challenged or Banned in 2014-2015

Banned Books Week 2015 is celebrating more than thirty years of the freedom to read. This freedom, not only to choose what we read, but also to select from a full array of possibilities, is firmly rooted in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Although we enjoy an increasing quantity and availability of information and material, we must remain vigilant to ensure that access to this material is preserved. Would-be censors who continue to threaten the freedom to read come from all quarters and all political persuasions. Even if well intentioned, censors try to limit the freedom of others to choose what they read, see, or hear.

Sex, profanity, and racism remain the when the person is a lone protester, the primary categories of objections, and attempt is real. Someone has most occur in schools and school tried to restrict another person’s ability . Frequently, challenges are to choose. Challenges are as important motivated by the desire to protect to document as actual bannings, in children. While the intent is commend- which a is removed from the able, this method of protection contains shelves of a or bookstore or from hazards far greater than exposure to the the curriculum at a school. Attempts to “evil” against which it is leveled. U.S. censor can lead to voluntary restriction Supreme Court Justice William Brennan, of expression by those who seek to avoid in v. Johnson, said, “If there is a controversy; in these cases, material bedrock principle underlying the First may not be published at all or may not Amendment, it is that the Government be purchased by a bookstore, library, or may not prohibit the expression of an school district. idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable.” It should be noted that this Individuals may restrict what they is incomplete because many prohibitions themselves or their children read, but against free speech and expression they must not call on governmental or remain undocumented. Surveys indicate public agencies to prevent others from up to 85 percent of actual challenges reading or viewing that material. to library materials receive no media attention and remain unreported. The challenges documented in this Moreover, this list is limited to books list are not brought by people merely and does not include challenges expressing a point of view; rather, they to magazines, newspapers, films, represent requests to remove materials broadcasts, plays, performances, from schools or libraries, thus restricting electronic publications, or exhibits. access to them by others. Even when the eventual outcome allows the book to stay on the library shelves and even

BOOKS CHALLENGED OR BANNED, 2O14–2O15 3 This bibliography represents books challenged, restricted, removed, or banned in 2014 and 2015 as reported in the Newsletter on from May 2014 to 2015 and in Direct (AL Direct) .

(Dates prior to May 2014 indicate the controversy began earlier, but continued into 2014 or 2015.)

Alexie, Sherman handles parents’ objections. The The Absolutely True Diary challenged contemporary young adult of a Part-Time Indian book is a National Book Award winner. THORNDIKE PRESS; LITTLE, BROWN It tells the story of a teenager who grows Pulled from the Meridian, Idaho, high up on the Spokane Indian Reservation school supplemental reading list (2014) but leaves to attend an all-white high after some parents complained that the school in a farm town. The book has novel “discusses masturbation, contains strong language, including racial slurs. profanity, and has been viewed as Source: May 2014, pp. 80-81; July-Sept. 2014, p. 119; anti-Christian.” School board members Nov. 2014, pp. 162, 174-76; March 2015, p. 47. rejected a committee recommendation Cast, P. C., and Kristin Cast that the book should stay on the The House of Night series tenth-grade English supplemental ST. MARTIN’S PRESS reading list with parental permission Challenged at the Austin Memorial required. Challenged at the Cedar Grove Library in Cleveland, Tex. (2014), along Middle School in Wilmington, N.C., with other young adult books that have a (2014) because “the book contains vampire theme. A local minister requested numerous depictions of sexual behavior, that the “occultic (sic) and demonic room as well as instances of racism, vulgar be shut down, and these books be language, bullying, and violence.” purged from the shelves, and that public Attached to the complaint was a funds would no longer be used to petition signed by 42 members of the purchase such material, or at least complainant’s church, Soldier Bay require parents to check them out for Baptist. The complainant is not the their children.” parent or grandparent of a child at Source: AL Direct, August 27, 2014. Cedar Grove. District policy states that parents or guardians who do Crutcher, Chris not approve of school reading Chinese Handcuffs materials may request GREENWILLOW PRESS alternative texts. Suspended Challenged, but retained in the from the Highland Park, Tex., Waukesha, Wis., West High School Independent School library (2014) despite concerns about District’s approved book “extreme violence.” A 1990 ALA Best list (2014) by the school Books for Young Adults, superintendent. The addresses issues of suicide, drug and decision sparked a backlash and alcohol abuse, and sexual abuse drew national attention. The superin- including gang rape. tendent then reinstated the book. In Source: Nov. 2014, pp. 171-72. February 2015, the school district trustees approved policy changes on how the district selects books and

4 BOOKS CHALLENGED OR BANNED, 2O14–2O15 Danforth, Emily M. Geisel, Theodor Seuss handles parents’ objections. The The Miseducation of Hop on Pop: The Simplest Seuss challenged contemporary young adult Cameron Post for Youngest Use book is about a boy who has dated and BALZER + BRAY RANDOM HOUSE been dumped by multiple girls named Removed from the Cape Henlopen Challenged, but retained at the Toronto, Katherine; it includes sexual references. school district’s summer reading list in Canada, Public Library (2014) despite Source: Nov. 2014, pp. 162, 174-76; Lewes, Del. (2014), due to language a patron’s concern that the book March 2015, p. 47. deemed inappropriate for entering high “encourages children to use violence Green, John school freshmen. The book is set in rural against their fathers.” The patron Montana in the early 1990s. The parents requested that the library apologize to DUTTON BOOKS of the main character, a teenage girl local fathers and pay damages resulting Pulled from library shelves at the Frank named Cameron Post, die in a car from the book’s message. Written in Augustus Miller Middle School in Rancho accident before finding out she’s gay. 1963, the classic children’s picture book Cucamonga, Calif. (2014), because the Orphaned, the girl moves in with her ranked sixteenth on Publishers Weekly’s subject matter involves teens dying of old-fashioned grandmother and ultra- 2001 list of the all-time best-selling cancer who use crude language and conservative aunt; she falls in love with books for children. Based on a have sex. Removed from the Riverside, her best friend—a girl. Selected for the 2007 online poll, the National Education Calif., Unified School District middle 2013 Best Fiction for Young Adults list Association named the book one of its schools (2014) after a parent complained by the Young Adult Library Services “Teachers’ Top 100 Books for Children.” the teen love story was inappropriate for Association, the list includes recom- Source: AL Direct, April 30, 2014. that age group. best mended books for ages 12-18 that meet seller was released in June 2014 as a “the criteria of both good quality literature Geisel, Theodor Seuss PG-13 movie. In 2014 Green was and appealing reading for teens.” If I Ran the Zoo RANDOM HOUSE included in Time magazine’s list of : July-Sept. 2014, pp. 118-19. Challenged, but retained at the 100 most influential people in the world. DeClements, Barthe Vancouver, Canada, Public Library Source: Nov. 2014, p. 159; AL Direct, Sept. 24, 2014. Sixth Grade Can Really Kill You (2014) despite a line in the poem about Green, John VIKING KESTREL helpers who “all wear their eyes at a Looking for Challenged by a parent in Rosemount- slant,” accompanied by illustrations that DUTTON BOOKS Apple Valley-Eagan, Minn., elementary are racial stereotypes of Asians. The Challenged, but retained in the school libraries (2014) because it uses book is often credited with the first Waukesha, Wis., South High School the “r-word” (retarded) to refer to printed modern English use of the word (2014) despite claims the book is “too students with special needs. “nerd” in a sentence. The library will no racy to read.” Awarded the 2006 Michael Source: May 2014, p. 79. longer read it at storytime or promote L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young it other than as resource material in a Adult Literature, this coming-of-age Doctorow, Cory study of how the portrayal of other story traces the of Miles Halter, Little Brother cultures has changed over time. TOM DOHERTY ASSOCIATES a misfit Florida teenager who leaves the Source: AL Direct, May 14, 2014. Cancelled as the approved reading safety of home for a boarding school in assignment in the Pensacola, Fla. (2014), Green, John Alabama and a chance to explore the One School/One Book summer reading An Abundance of Katherines “Great Perhaps.” program by a high school principal DUTTON BOOKS Source: Nov. 2014, pp. 171-72. because it promoted hacker culture. The Suspended from the Highland Park, Tex., Green, John principal “made it clear that the book was Independent School District’s approved being challenged because of its politics book list (2014) by the school superin- DUTTON BOOKS and its content.” In response Doctorow tendent. The decision sparked a Removed from the eighth-grade and his publisher sent 200 complimentary backlash and drew national attention. reading list at Dr. John Long Middle copies of the book directly to students The superintendent then reinstated School in Wesley Chapel, Fla. (2014), at the school. the book. In February 2015, the school after a parent complained that the book Source: July-Sept. 2014, p. 119. district trustees approved policy changes contained F-bombs, several discussions on how the district selects books and about teen sex, and references to girls as “honey bunnies,” which the parent

BOOKS CHALLENGED OR BANNED, 2O14–2O15 5

considered misogynistic. The young Gus, and their family, where they learn adult book was a New York Times best about where people live, what they eat, seller, received the 2009 American their habits and hobbies, and how their Library Association Best Books for families are composed, including Young Adults award, received the references to single parents and 2009 Edgar Award for best young-adult same-sex couples. Copies of the book novel, and is to be released as a film will be pulped. It was announced later in July 2015. that authorities in Singapore reversed Source: AL Direct, June 24, 2014. their decision and stopped the national library from destroying the children’s Haddon, Mark books, after its decision in July produced The Curious Incident of the a public outcry over literary censorship. Dog in the Night-Time Information Minister Yaacob Ibrahim DOUBLEDAY ordered that the books be moved to Hopkins, Ellen Banned from the ninth-grade the adult section, where parents can Identical honors-level English reading list in the borrow them for their children. SIMON & SCHUSTER Wilson County, Tenn., schools (2014) Source: July-Sept. 2014, 119-20. Challenged in the Appoquinimink due to offensive language. The book School District in Middletown, Del. was removed from libraries and the Herge. [Georges Remi] (2014). A parent complained about the possession of students soon after. Tintin in America young adult book and then began The decision was later rescinded on FRENCH & EUROPEAN PUBLICATIONS circulating a petition to require the the advice of the school board attorney Pulled by the Winnipeg, Canada Public school district to adopt a process for due to possible conflict with a board Library (2015) pending review due to ensuring that all material was age policy. The award-winning book is about stereotypical and racist depictions of appropriate. The New York Times best a 15-year-old autistic child who investi- indigenous peoples. seller deals with the story of a child who gates the death of a neighbor’s dog. Source: AL Direct, March 19, 2015. was sexually abused by her father. Source: May 2014, pp. 81-82; Nov. 2014, p. 134. Source: Jan. 2015, p. 7. Hesse, Hermann Harris, Robie H. Siddhartha Hosseini, Khaled It’s Perfectly Normal: BANTAM CLASSICS The Kite Runner Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Suspended from the Highland Park, BLOOMSBURY Sex & Sexual Health Tex., Independent School District’s Challenged, but retained as part of the CANDLEWICK PRESS approved book list (2014) by the school Waukesha, Wis., West High School Challenged as an e-book at the superintendent. The decision sparked a curriculum (2014) despite claims the Francis Howell middle school libraries backlash and drew national attention. book “desensitizes students to violence.” in St. Charles, Mo. (2014), because of The superintendent then reinstated The New York Times best seller is set cartoon nudity. the book. In February 2015, the school against a backdrop of tumultuous events, Source: May 2014, pp. 79-80. district trustees approved policy changes from the fall of Afghanistan’s monarchy on how the district selects books and through the Soviet military intervention, Harris, Robie H. handles parents’ objections. This classic the exodus of refugees to Pakistan and Who’s in My Family?: novel, written in 1922, is about the the United States, and the rise of the All About Our Families spiritual journey of a man living in the Taliban regime. A number of adaptations (Let’s Talk About You and Me) time of Buddha. In the book, the main were created following publication, CANDLEWICK PRESS character fathers a child out of wed- including several stage performances One of three books about gay couples lock and has sexual encounters with and a graphic novel. The film of the withdrawn from libraries in Singapore prostitutes. The novel is on the College same name was nominated for the (2014), where gay sex is illegal. In a Board’s reading list for Advanced Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign statement, the National Library Board Placement English Literature. Language Film in 2007. suggested that gayness and family Source: Nov. 2014, pp. 162, 174-76; Source: Nov. 2014, pp. 171-72. values are incompatible. The book is March 2015, p. 47. about a journey to the zoo with Nellie,

6 BOOKS CHALLENGED OR BANNED, 2O14–2O15

Huxley, Aldous Morrison, Toni Okimoto, Jean Davies and Elaine M. Aoki Brave New World Song of Solomon The White Swan Express: HARPER PLUME A Story about Adoption Challenged in an Advanced Placement Suspended from the Highland Park, Tex., CLARION BOOKS language composition class at Cape Independent School District’s approved One of three books about gay couples Henlopen High School in Lewes, Del. book list (2014) by the school withdrawn from libraries in Singapore (2014). Two school board members superintendent. The decision sparked (2014), where gay sex is illegal. In a contend that while the book has long a backlash and drew national attention. statement, the National Library Board been a staple in high school classrooms, The superintendent then reinstated the suggested that gayness and family students can now grasp the sexual and book. In February 2015, the school values are incompatible. The book is drug-related references through a quick district trustees approved policy changes about four couples—one of which is a Internet search. on how the district selects books and lesbian couple—who travel to to Source: May 2014, p. 80. handles parents’ objections. The adopt baby girls. Copies of the book will challenged coming-of-age novel, written be pulped. It was announced later that Levithan, David by a Pulitzer Prize and Nobel Prize authorities in Singapore reversed their Two Boys Kissing winner, is about a young black man who decision and stopped the national library ALFRED A. KNOPF grows up in Michigan. It has profanity, from destroying the children’s books, Challenged by a parent in the Fauquier sexual imagery, and a story line about an after its decision in July produced a County, Va., public high school library incestuous relationship. The novel is on public outcry over literary censorship. (2014). The book tells the story of Harry the College Board’s reading list for Information Minister Yaacob Ibrahim and Craig, two 17-year-olds who are Advanced Placement English Literature. ordered that the books be moved to the about to take part in a 32-hour marathon Source: Nov. 2014, pp. 162, 174-76; adult section, where parents can borrow of kissing to set a new Guinness World March 2015, p. 47. them for their children. Record—all of which is narrated by a Source: July-Sept. 2014, pp. 119-20. Greek chorus of the generation of gay Murugan, Perumal men lost to AIDS. Madhorubhagan Picoult, Jodi Source: May 2014, p. 80. (One Part Woman) Nineteen Minutes PENGUIN ATRIA BOOKS Meyer, Stephanie Various Hindu political organizations Challenged at the Gilford, N.H., High Twilight series in New Delhi, India (2014) have School (2014). The award-winning novel LITTLE, BROWN AND COMPANY demanded a ban on the Tamil writer’s depicts a school shooting in a fictional Challenged at the Austin Memorial novel. They allege the novel portrays the New Hampshire high school. The novel Library in Cleveland, Tex. (2014), along Kailasanathar temple in Tiruchengode contains depictions of physical violence with other young adult books that and women devotees in a “bad light.” in public schools and a scene of graphic have a vampire theme. A local minister Madhorubhagan tells the tale of a sexual activity. It has been a reading requested that the, “occultic (sic) and childless couple, Kali and Ponna. selection available to Gilford High demonic room be shut down, and these Their predicament is discussed in School students in the past. Challenged, books be purged from the shelves, and the backdrop of the “traditional free, but retained at the Kennett, Pa., High that public funds would no longer be consensual sex rituals” during the School (2014) despite a parent’s used to purchase such material, or at festival of the temple. After receiving complaint that the content in the book is least require parents to check them out threats and abuse, the author has sought not suitable for high school students. for their children.” police protection for himself and his Source: May 2014, p. 81; Jan. 2015, p. 18. Source: AL Direct, August 27, 2014. family. In turn, various Hindu political organizations have called for the arrest Richardson, Justin, and Peter Parnell Morrison, Toni of both the author and the publisher. The Bluest Eye Source: March 2015, p. 55. SIMON & SCHUSTER HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON One of three books about gay couples Challenged, but retained in the Durant, withdrawn from libraries in Singapore Okla., high school library (2014), despite (2014), where gay sex is illegal. The a parent’s concerns over sexual and children’s book was inspired by a real-life violent content. The 1970 novel was the story of two male penguins raising a first by the Pulitzer Prize winner. baby chick. In a statement, the National Source: AL Direct, May 28, 2014.

BOOKS CHALLENGED OR BANNED, 2O14–2O15 7

Shipler, David K. Steinbeck, John The Working Poor: Of Mice and Men Invisible in America BANTAM; PENGUIN; VIKING VINTAGE BOOKS Retained in the Brainerd, Minn., School Suspended from the Highland Park, Tex., District curriculum (2014) despite the Independent School District’s approved complaints of two parents who objected book list (2014) by the school superin- to the use of “Jesus Christ” as a curse tendent. The decision sparked a word, the use of the n-word to describe backlash and drew national attention. African , and the term “Japs.” The superintendent then reinstated the They argued this type of language book. In February 2015, the school undermines the values of respect they district trustees approved policy changes try to instill in their children and the novel on how the district selects books and should be pulled from the curriculum. handles parents’ objections. Written by Parents and students who object to the a Pulitzer Prize winner, the challenged language may choose an alternate book book is about Americans in low-skilled by the Nobel Prize-winning author. Library Board suggested that gayness jobs who struggle because of economic Source: AL Direct, April 30, 2014. and family values are incompatible. and personal obstacles. Some parents Copies of the book will be pulped. It objected to the nonfiction book because Walls, Jeannette was announced later that authorities it has a passage about a woman who The Glass Castle: A Memoir SCRIBNER in Singapore reversed their decision was sexually abused as a child and and stopped the national library from later had an abortion. Suspended from the Highland Park, destroying the children’s books, after Source: Nov. 2014, pp. 162, 174-76; Tex., Independent School District’s its decision in July produced a public March 2015, p. 47. approved book list (2014) by the school outcry over literary censorship. Infor- superintendent. The decision sparked a Stein, Garth mation Minister Yaacob Ibrahim ordered backlash and drew national attention. The Art of Racing in the Rain that the books be moved to the adult The superintendent then reinstated the HARPER section, where parents can borrow book. In February 2015, the school Suspended from the Highland Park, them for their children. district trustees approved policy changes Tex., Independent School District’s Source: July-Sept. 2014, pp. 119-20; AL Direct, on how the district selects books and July 23, 2014. approved book list (2014) by the school handles parents’ objections. The chal- superintendent. The decision sparked a lenged memoir is about growing up Satrapi, Marjane backlash and drew national attention. in poverty with a father who spent his Persepolis: The Story of a The superintendent then reinstated the money on alcohol and a mother who Childhood book. In February 2015, the school became homeless. PANTHEON BOOKS district trustees approved policy changes Source: Nov. 2014, pp. 162, 174-76; Challenged, but retained on the on how the district selects books March 2015, p. 47. Glenwood High School reading list and handles parents’ objections. The in Chatham, Ill. (2014). A parent con- challenged New York Times best seller demned the images of dismembered about a racecar driver grieving the loss bodies and a guard using urine as a of his wife includes a sex scene that form of torture. The book tells the story made some parents uncomfortable. of a young girl growing up in during Source: Nov. 2014, pp. 162, 174-76; the Islamic revolution of 1979 and the March 2015, p. 47. reintroduction of a religious state. The graphic novel has been praised for teaching students about diversity and different points of view, but it also contains intense language, images, and themes. Source: Nov. 2014, p. 171.

8 BOOKS CHALLENGED OR BANNED, 2O14–2O15

TAKE ACTION!

Each day, all across the country, one of our most basic freedoms—the right to read—is in danger. In communities large and small, censorship attempts threaten to undermine our freedom to read. Without our constant support, the First Amendment freedoms that we so often take for granted—the right to read, explore ideas, and express ourselves freely—are at risk.

The First Amendment guarantees that each right—and the responsibility—to guide their of us has the right to express our views, own children’s reading, that right does not including opinions about particular books. extend to other people’s children. Similarly, At the same time, the First Amendment each adult has the right to choose his or also ensures that none of us has the right her own reading materials, along with the to control or limit another person’s ability responsibility to acknowledge and respect to read or access information. Yet when the right of others to do the same. individuals or groups file formal written requests demanding that libraries and When we speak up to protect the right schools remove specific books from the to read, we not only defend our individual shelves, they are doing just that— attempting right to free expression, we demonstrate to restrict the rights of other individuals to tolerance and respect for opposing access those books. points of view. And when we take action to preserve our precious freedoms, we The rights and protections of the First become participants in the ongoing Amendment extend to children and teens evolution of our democratic society. as well as adults. While parents have the

BOOKS CHALLENGED OR BANNED, 2O14–2O15 9 Protect your right to read. Here are three ways that you can get involved: ACT NOW!

Stay Informed

Be aware of what’s Subscribe to print and online of ideas, particularly those contained in happening news publications books, by opposing restrictions on the The best way to fight censorship You can stay current on First Amendment freedom of speech. is to be aware that it’s happening. rights and censorship issues. 1 The National Coalition Against When you encounter it, be prepared to The ALA Office for Intellectual Censorship (ncac.org) is an alliance speak up or let others know. Freedom (ala.org/oif) publishes of fifty national nonprofit organizations, Ask the people on the front lines — the Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom including literary, artistic, religious, librarians, teachers, and school principals and provides regular news updates via educational, professional, labor, and civil — if there are any current attempts the OIF blog, Twitter (twitter.com/oif) liberties groups, that work to educate to challenge or ban books or other and the IFACTION mailing list. both members and the public about materials. If they have support groups or the dangers of censorship and how to The First Amendment Center information lists, ask to join them. oppose it. (firstamendmentcenter.org) maintains Legislators and public officials often an online First Amendment library The Comic Book Legal Defense introduce legislation to restrict access (firstamendmentcenter.org/research- Fund (cbldf.org) works to protect free to books and other materials in libraries, articles) and provides breaking news speech in comics by supporting First schools, and bookstores. Let officials about First Amendment issues via its Amendment rights for the comics know that there are citizens actively RSS newsfeed. community, fans, and professionals alike. opposed to demands to restrict or The American Civil Liberties Union remove books in schools and libraries. Join groups committed to preserving the right to read (aclu.org) works daily to defend and preserve the individual rights and Attend school board, library board, You can participate by joining these liberties guaranteed by the Constitution, and PTA meetings nonprofit organizations. including the freedom of speech and You can speak up about the importance The Freedom to Read Foundation freedom of the press. Local chapters of free speech to education in a (ftrf. ‌org) is the only organization in the and affiliates (aclu.org/affiliates) provide democratic society. United States whose primary goal is to assistance to local communities. As a regular participant in gatherings, protect and promote the First Amendment The Association of American you have the opportunity to learn about in libraries by participating in litigation Publishers (publishers.org) policies governing access to books and dealing with free expression in libraries works to protect intellectual freedom materials. You can witness firsthand and other venues. Members receive a and the right of free expression so that when someone demands that a school or quarterly newsletter, The FTRF News. American publishers can continue to library remove a book or restrict access The American Booksellers for flourish in a free marketplace of ideas. to books. Free Expression (bookweb.org/abfe) promotes and protects the free exchange

10 BOOKS CHALLENGED OR BANNED, 2O14–2O15 Challenge Censorship

Report censorship Write letters to public officials can ask to speak to their membership to ALA’s Office for You can write to public officials about the importance of preserving First Intellectual Freedom encouraging them to preserve the Amendment freedoms. Or ask if you You can help raise awareness of freedom to read. can contribute an article to the group’s 2censorship in your local community. newsletter or website. You can speak Let them know that your rights and your with the group’s leaders and ask them to ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom views are entitled to the same respect lend public support to efforts to protect tracks attempts to remove or restrict as those who seek to censor books. the right to read in the community. books across the country. By reporting Write to any public official that you censorship incidents, you can help to believe can prevent the suppression of Form a coalition to oppose identify trends in censorship cases and books in your community: your mayor, censorship in your community document responses and solutions to city council, other city officials, library You can partner with others who censorship. All identifying information board members, school board members, support the right to read freely. is kept strictly confidential. You can superintendent of schools, etc. file reports online by going to ala.org/ Even a small number of persons can challengereporting. Send a letter or an op-ed article form an effective group to oppose to local news organizations censorship. Such groups allow members Attend and participate in You can update community news to share responsibility for attending public hearings outlets with information and opinion. meetings and conducting outreach You can inform public officials that efforts. By joining together you can Make sure you let reporters and editors censorship won’t be tolerated in the become a resource for the community know that there are members of the community. as a whole. community who oppose censorship and the official suppression of ideas. Letters By attending hearings, you can speak Seek assistance from to public officials, letters sent to local out in support of free expression and national groups news outlets, and comments posted on the right to read freely. You can let You can get guidance and support websites and blogs are effective ways officials know that there are citizens from experienced organizations. actively opposed to demands to restrict to raise awareness. Get started by researching existing or remove books in schools and libraries. groups so that you can benefit from Such attempts seldom succeed when Work with community groups their expertise. Check out the national concerned citizens speak out against You can network with local organizations listed on page 10 for censorship. organizations for support. assistance, resources, and referrals Inform professional associations, civic whenever you or your organization organizations, and religious groups addresses demands to remove books about attempts to remove books from from libraries or schools. the community’s library or school. You

Support Your Local Schools and Libraries

Join Library Friends contribute by participating in Friends Books Week. This public event in groups and PTAs groups, PTAs, or volunteering directly September features author visits and You can become an advocate for where your help will strengthen these from banned books. You can 3community education groups. vital institutions. show your support for the freedom to read by attending these events. Please Libraries and schools rely on volunteers Participate in visit ala.org/bbooks for more resources and advocates to accomplish their You can promote the right to read by and information or connect on Facebook mission of educating young people. joining in the celebration. (facebook.com/bannedbooksweek). These groups also provide information Each year, libraries, schools, and and lifelong learning opportunities bookstores across the nation celebrate to adults in the community. You can the freedom to read by observing Banned

BOOKS CHALLENGED OR BANNED, 2O14–2O15 11 Sponsored by: American Booksellers Association American Booksellers for Free Expression American Library Association American Society of Journalists and Authors Association of American Publishers Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Freedom to Read Foundation National Association of College Stores National Coalition Against Censorship National Council of Teachers of English PEN American Center People for the American Way Foundation Project Censored

Endorsed by: in the

SUPPORT BANNED BOOKS WEEK

SEPTEMBER 27 - OCTOBER 3

Banned Books Week merchandise to help celebrate the freedom to read—such as posters, t-shirts, buttons, and —is available for purchase at the ALA Store online at alastore.ala.org, or by calling toll-free at 1-866-SHOP ALA (1-866-746-7252).