k Field Report 2019 Banned & Challenged Books
Office for Intellectual Freedom Censorship is a Dead End. Find Your Freedom to READ k Censorship creates obstacles and barriers in our path toward the freedom to read— whether it’s a book hidden on the top shelf, a speaker cancellation, or profanity marked out on a page, censorship will always be around. But it’s how we defeat these barriers to find the freedom to read that is crucial. The journey toward the freedom to read is never straightforward. When confronted with a challenge or ban, some readers write letters, speak out at board meetings, circulate petitions, and initiate discussions with those who would want to censor. Some of these stories are shared in this Field Report. Each challenge and incident listed in this publication is sourced from public, verified reports from the year 2019, including news articles, meeting minutes, and entries from the Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy (JIFP). Our office—which has been tracking reports of attempts to remove materials and services in libraries and schools since the 1990s—continues to see an increase in challenges to LGBTQIA+ materials and programming. Among the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2019 listed on the back of this publication, eight of them were challenged because of LGBTQIA+ content. Other examples of books challenged for LGBTQIA+ content in this report are Hurricane Child (page 6), Fun Home (page 4), and Worm Loves Worm (page 4). Challenges to Drag Queen Story Hours—programs that feature drag queens reading stories to children in libraries—have also been on the rise. We’ve also seen a resurgence of censorship attempts by organized pressure groups and conservative bloggers. By staying updated about attempts to limit your First Amendment rights, you can break down barriers and overcome obstacles to access more information. One of the best places to celebrate your right to read? Your local library. You can find even more ways to combat censorship throughout this Field Report. The journey toward your freedom to read takes on many forms. What path will you take?
We thank speaker and author James LaRue, the former director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom, who compiled the entries for this year’s Field Report.
Field Report 2019 Banned & Challenged Books 2 AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OFFICE FOR INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM Books Banned or Challenged in 2019
This Field Report is arranged alphabetically by the author’s last name. It is not uncommon for challenges to affect more than one book. In these cases, the complete description and source for the challenge is listed under the first author alphabetically; the additional challenged books refer back to that author.
Alexie, Sherman Neither by Airlie Anderson, and A school review committee The Absolutely True Diary of Jamie is Jamie: A Book About recommended its withdrawal a Part-Time Indian Being Yourself and Playing Your from all schools. The principal, (2007) Way by Afsaneh Moradian. who had immediately removed When this young adult novel The curriculum sparked strong the list from the school website, was used in an eighth-grade protests from 300 parents, some will now review all reading lists. language arts class at the North claiming that the lessons were Source: “Gardendale Parent Upset Over Book Included Albany (OR) Middle School, a “unscientific ideology,” others on Summer Reading List,” WVTM13, Aug. 16, 2019. parent of a student in a different believing that the parents class (not the class reading the should decide whether to broach Asher, Jay book) objected to the language the subject, not the schools. Thirteen Reasons Why (2007) and references to masturbation. Following a review by the district The Reconsideration Committee curriculum council and parent- Parents of the Westwood (NJ) voted to retain the book. teacher organizations at each of Regional Schools argued that Source: 2019 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon the three elementary schools, Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay the Oak Park Board of Education Asher, and Can’t Get There From Allard, Harry adopted the program. Here and Boot Camp by Todd Strasser, had the potential to do The Stupids Die (1985) Source: “Boys, Girls and Genders In-Between: A Class- Room Lesson for Modern Third-Graders,” Los Angeles “irrevocable harm and should be A grandparent filed a request for Times, Dec. 17, 2019. pulled from the school.” Following reconsideration at the Hermiston an author visit from Strasser, (OR) Public Library objecting Arundhati, Roy all three books were added to to the derogatory last name in the Westwood Regional Middle The God of Small Things (1997) the children’s humorous picture School language arts classroom book. Retained. An incoming first-year at the library by the principal. After Source: 2019 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon Gardendale (AL) High School committee evaluation, she replied chose this New York Times to parents’ complaints: the two Anderson, Airlie bestseller from a school- Strasser books would remain in recommended “Advanced World the classroom collections and Neither (2018) Literature” summer reading Asher’s book would be relocated The superintendent of the list. Set in India of 1969, the to the school library. The school school district in Oak Park, CA, book won the Man Booker Prize. board voted to retain the titles. announced the introduction of The student complained to her A local police chief, in favor of gender identity curriculum for father about its “inappropriate removing the books, announced elementary schools to parents, content.” The father reviewed it, that he was running for a seat on to include the books Sparkle Boy and claimed the book contained the board. by Lesléa Newman, It’s Okay to graphic sexual content that Source: “Westwood Regional School Board Set to Be Differentby Todd Parr, Red: A he absolutely “didn’t want Answer Parents on Challenged Books,” Pascack Press Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall, his children knowing about.” and Northern Valley Press, July 22, 2019.
Field Report 2019 Banned & Challenged Books 3 AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OFFICE FOR INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM Atwood, Margaret Cheryl Kilodavis, George by Alex The Curious Incident of the The Handmaid’s Tale (1985) Gino, Stella Brings the Family Dog in the Night-Time, and Nic by Miriam Schiffer, Worm Loves Stone’s Dear Martin because of This classic novel was included Worm by J. J. Austrian, It’s Okay the “explicit” and “unacceptable” on a reading list before the to Be Differentby Todd Parr, content. A procedure was beginning of a twelfth-grade and Families by Shelley Rotner adopted that notifies parents advanced placement literature and Sheila M. Kelly. The patron about the use of controversial and composition class at a north stated, “There needs to be some titles in the classroom and allows Atlanta suburb’s high school kind of censorship on the books the parents to request redacted in Georgia. A student’s mother available to the children. This is copies. The superintendent forbade him from choosing just a common sense request.” stated that the district does not the book. Alleging “porn and She was invited to attend a have a process to decide what gore and cursing,” the mother library board meeting. Her letter books are allowed in the media wanted the book removed from asked others to join her. All nine centers but will begin looking at the high school and held prayer books have been retained. a review procedure. circles outside the library while a Source: Letter to the Editor, Daily Reporter, May 4, 2019. Source: “Columbia County Schools Limit Novel Choic- committee of more than a dozen es for High School Students,“ The Augusta Chronicle, staff, administrators, and parents Oct. 8, 2019. discussed the item. Retained. Bailey, Jacqui Source: “Fighting Under His Eye: One High School Sex, Puberty and Bechdel, Alison Teacher’s Tale of Defending Margaret Atwood’s The All That Stuff: Handmaid’s Tale,” Writer’s Digest, Sept. 27, 2019. Fun Home: A Guide to Growing Up (2004) A Family Tragicomic (2006) This dystopian novel was A parent complained that Administrators from two New offered as a curriculum choice the book was “sexually Jersey high schools in the North to students for an elective high graphic . . . explicit . . . very Hunterdon-Voorhees School school English class in Marietta, suggestive and encouraged District reviewed a single page OH. Two complaints were filed sexual experimentation.” In of this graphic novel that has a alleging vulgarity and sexual accordance with library policy, lesbian protagonist. Finding the overtones, although school offi- the director of the Mt. Angel images on a single page of the cials believed the cited passages (OR) Public Library met with 233-page book objectionable and did not reflect the context of the the patron and addressed the in “violation of district policies,” novel. The school board voted to challenge. The book was retained administration restricted the retain the book in the curriculum. in the junior nonfiction section. book’s circulation to students The patron chose not to appeal Source: “Complaints Ask for Removal of ‘The with explicit parental permission. Handmaid’s Tale’ from School Curriculum,” WTAP, the decision to the library board. Earlier in the year, a new state Aug. 29, 2019. Source: 2019 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon law had been passed requiring boards of education to include Austrian, J.J. Barker, Pat instruction, and adopt instruc- Worm Loves Worm (2016) Regeneration (1991) tional materials, that accurately portray political, economic, A patron wrote to the newspaper A committee submitted a and social contributions of stating that unlabeled LGBTQ list of supplemental novels LGBTQIA+ people. Following a books could be found in recommended for reading in letter from ALA-OIF, the books the children’s area of the English courses in Columbia were restored to open circulation. Independence (KS) Public County, GA, high schools and Source: “New Jersey High Schools Restrict Access Library and they should be were specifically asked in an to Fun Home,” NCAC.org. labeled and removed from that email the day before school section, including And Tango began to provide a list of page Bond, Victoria, and T. R. Simon Makes Three by Peter Parnell numbers of any sex or rape and Justin Richardson, Heather scenes, graphic depictions, or Zora and Me (2010) Has Two Mommies by Lesléa profanity other than “hell” or Parents and teachers disagreed Newman, Gay and Lesbian “damn.” The superintendent said over the presence of LGBTQIA+ History for Kids by Jerome that she was unwilling to approve books that were purchased for Pohlen, My Princess Boy by Regeneration, Mark Haddon’s a “diverse classroom libraries”
Field Report 2019 Banned & Challenged Books 4 AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OFFICE FOR INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM initiative in the Loudoun County, Brothers, Meagan including Almost Perfect by VA, elementary and high schools. Weird Girl and Brian Katcher, Angela’s Ashes by Twenty-seven books were Frank McCourt, The Women of What’s His Name (2015) formally challenged including Brewster’s Place by Gloria Naylor, Heather Has Two Mommies by Complete description and source The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, Lesléa Newman, My Princess Boy for the Loudoun County, VA, The Truth about Alice by Jennifer by Cheryl Kilodavis, Prince & challenge listed under “Bond, Mathieu, Dreaming In Cuban Knight by Daniel Haack, So Hard Victoria” on page 4. by Cristina García, Killing Mr. To Say by Alex Sanchez, Alvin Griffinby Lois Duncan, The Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Awakening by Kate Chopin, A Other Scary Things by Lenore Clockwork Orange by Anthony Stay updated on Look, Big Bob, Little Bob by James Burgess, and Beloved by Toni Howe, Dragons in a Bag by Zetta censorship attempts Morrison. The superintendent of Elliott, Flowers from Mariko by by following the Marion County (FL) Public Rick Noguchi and Deneen Jenks, the Office for Schools removed all the available Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Intellectual Freedom books from middle schools. Quintero, Girls Like Me by Nina on Twitter and As required by their policies, Packebush, Goldie Vance by she convened a committee to Facebook Hope Larson, Hurricane Child review the remaining nine books by Kacen Callender, Mommy’s and subscribing to determine the educational Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins- to Intellectual value of the content for high Bigelow, My Year in the Middle Freedom News. school students. The committee by Lila Quintero Weaver, Other recommended their retention, Broken Things by C. Desir, Rani and the superintendent approved Patel In Full Effectby Sonia Patel, the recommendation. The groups The Season of You & Me by Robin Brundage Jr., Vernon then appealed the retention of Constantine, Silent Music: A Story Shoot Your Shot: three of those titles to the school of Baghdad by James Rumford, A Sport-Inspired Guide To board, which voted to keep them. The Pants Project by Cat Clarke, Living Your Best Life (2018) Source: “Group Asks School District to Remove 14 The Witch Boy by Molly Ostertag, Books from Libraries,” Ocala Star-Banner, Feb. 27, 2019. The interim superintendent of The Truth as Told by Mason a Providence, RI, school district Buttle by Leslie Connor, Want to directed the purchase of 16,510 Butler, Paul Play Trucks? by Ann Stott, We copies of the basketball-related March by Shane W. Evans, Weird Chokehold: motivational book as mandatory Girl and What’s His Name by Policing Black Men (2017) reading for all middle and high Meagan Brothers, Willow and school students. Following The Arizona Department of the Wedding by Denise Brennan- concerns by district teachers that Corrections (ADC) informed the Nelson, Zora and Me by Victoria the books were overtly religious, publisher of the book, which was Bond and T. R. Simon, and Ask My the superintendent withdrew the authored by a former prosecutor, Mood Ring How I Feel by Diana requirement. The books remain, that the book would no longer Lopez. Four titles were relocated but reading them is voluntary. be allowed in Arizona prisons. to the middle school and three Following a 2019 decision by titles were relocated to higher Source: “Providence Schools Chief Drops Required- Reading Book,” Providence Journal, Sept. 12, 2019. the Arizona Supreme Court that grade levels within the school. found the ADC had unconstitu- Source: “LGBTQ School Book Controversy in Loudoun Burgess, Anthony tionally violated prisoner rights County,” FOX 5 DC, Nov. 12, 2019. through the previous censorship A Clockwork Orange (1962) of books on sexual themes, the It’s Your Tea Party and Florida Brennan-Nelson, Denise American Civil Liberties Union Citizens’ Alliance challenged (ACLU) challenged the censor- Willow and the Wedding (2017) 14 books, alleging that the ship of Chokehold. While the Complete description and source books were “obscene and/or book calls for significant change for the Loudoun County, VA, pornographic material” under in the criminal justice system, challenge listed under “Bond, Florida law. The school libraries it does not threaten “to disrupt Victoria” on page 4. only carried 10 of the 14 books the facility’s ability to maintain
Field Report 2019 Banned & Challenged Books 5 AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OFFICE FOR INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM security and order,” stated the Connor, Leslie ACLU. The ADC said it will The Truth as Told review the ACLU request. by Mason Buttle (2018) Contact the Office for Source: “ACLU Accuses Arizona Department Of Correc- tions Of Violating Inmates’ Rights Over Banned Book,” Complete description and source Intellectual Freedom KJZZ, May 16, 2019. for the Loudoun County, VA, when there’s a challenge or challenge listed under “Bond, ban at your library, school, or Callender, Kacen Victoria” on page 4. university. You don’t have to Hurricane Child (2018) be a librarian or ALA member Constantine, Robin Complete description and source to get one-on-one help. Find for the Loudoun County, VA, The Season of You & Me (2016) more ways to reach us at challenge listed under “Bond, Complete description and source ala.org/oif. Victoria” on page 4. for the Loudoun County, VA, challenge listed under “Bond, Carrère, Emmanuel Victoria” on page 4. The Kingdom (2017) children. Some parents also Citing parental, donor, and Cooper, Steven objected to S.E.X.: The All-You- alumni concerns about “scan- Official Overstreet Indian Need-to-Know Sexuality Guide to dalous” materials, the Franciscan Arrowhead Identification Get You Through Your Teens and University of Steubenville (OH) Twenties, which they described and Price Guide (2018) demoted the English department as “explicit and graphic.” No chair who recommended the A Harney County, OR, removals of the book have been book for an advanced English patron with an archeological reported. class. The university at first background registered a Source: “California Parents Protest New Controversial defended the book, which specu- complaint that the library’s copy Sex Education Guidance,” KTLA, May 17, 2019. lated that the Virgin Mary might of this encyclopedic guide was an A Mt. Angel (OR) Public Library have had sex and masturbated. affront to Native Americans and patron submitted a request for Later, the president apologized could encourage people to loot reconsideration, concluding that for the book, which he described native sites. Retained. the book was “a total X-rated as pornographic and blasphe- Source: 2019 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon sex manual which degrades mous, and called on professors to sexuality into something very take an Oath of Fidelity, pledging Corinna, Heather base and crude” and “encouraged support for the Catholic S.E.X.: The All-You-Need- young teens to experiment and Magisterium. The book is no to-Know Sexuality Guide practice.” Retained. longer available at the campus Source: 2019 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon bookstore. to Get You Through Your Source: “Banning a Book, in the Name of ‘True Aca- Teens and Twenties (2016) De Brunhoff, Jean demic Freedom,’” Inside Higher Ed, Jan. 15, 2019. The California Board of Educa- tion voted to adopt a Health Travels of Babar (1932) Chopin, Kate Education Framework and sex A patron objected to the “racist The Awakening (1899) education curriculum using depictions of Africans” with Complete description and source LGBTQIA+ inclusive language “stereotypical features” in this for the Marion County, FL, and that provided information children’s book. Retained. challenge listed under “Burgess, about HIV prevention, safe sex, Source: 2019 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon Anthony” on page 5. human trafficking, and gender identity. While praised by some Desir, C. parents, the suggested curric- Clarke, Cat Other Broken Things ulum was protested by other (2017) The Pants Project (2017) parents and conservative groups. Complete description and source Complete description and source Teachers were not required to for the Loudoun County, VA, for the Loudoun County, VA, teach any specific part of the challenge listed under “Bond, challenge listed under “Bond, curriculum and many schools Victoria” on page 4. Victoria” on page 4. allowed parents to opt out their
Field Report 2019 Banned & Challenged Books 6 AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OFFICE FOR INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM Duncan, Lois section as well as the adult and claiming an oversight in not Killing Mr. Griffin (1978) young adult sections of the allowing students to opt out. library. Source: “Steamboat Family Recruits Help of Religious Complete description and source Source: “Book Challenges Put Small Library in a Bind,” Rights Attorney Over ‘Howl’ Controversy,” Craig Press, for the Marion County, FL, Portland Tribune, Sept. 24, 2019. Nov. 20, 2019. challenge listed under “Burgess, Anthony” on page 5. GarcÍa, Cristina Green, Laci Sex Plus: Learning, Loving, Elliott, Zetta Dreaming in Cuban (1992) and Enjoying Your Body (2018) Dragons in a Bag (2018) Complete description and source for the Marion County, FL, Challenged for “how to anal sex, Complete description and source challenge listed under “Burgess, oral sex, sex toy use, BDSM,” the for the Loudoun County, VA, Anthony” on page 5. book was moved from the young challenge listed under “Bond, adult section to the adult section Victoria” on page 4. Gino, Alex of the Mt. Angel (OR) Public Library. Evans, Shane W. George (2015) Source: 2019 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon We March (2016) The Scappoose (OR) School Board proposed a resolution Haack, Daniel Complete description and source to take George off the 16-book for the Loudoun County, VA, list for elementary students, Prince & Knight (2018) challenge listed under “Bond, a decision that would exclude A staff member of the ImagineIF Victoria” on page 4. its students from competing Libraries (Kallispell, MT) read in regional or state voluntary this gay-positive children’s book Frank, Anne Oregon Battle of the Books to a visiting daycare class of four- The Diary of a Young Girl contests. No student was and five-year-olds. The teacher (1947) required to read the book. protested the topic’s presentation Following a contentious board A patron of the Josephine County to a group of “innocent school meeting, the board defeated the Library District (Grants Pass, children,” and in a letter to the resolution to remove the book OR) complained about “talk newspaper said that the book from the list on a 5–2 vote. about the vagina, penis, and sex” should not only never be read to in Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Source: “Parents Debate Whether Book about children again, but it should also Transgender Child Should be on School Reading List,” be removed from the library alto- Young Girl, and requested that KGW, Jan. 15, 2019. an edited version replace it. After gether. Hundreds of complaints consideration by a committee of Complete description and source about the book were sent to the the various merits of different for the Independence, KS, chal- library, including comments from editions, the original material lenge listed under “Austrian, J. J.” an angry county commissioner. was retained in the children’s on page 3. During a public meeting, the board received many comments. Ginsberg, Allen Most were favorable to the library and the book. The board voted to Howl (1956) retain the book but adopted a new At least two parents of high program policy. Celebrate school students in Steamboat Source: “Library Board Votes to Keep Gay-Friendly Banned Books Week Springs, CO, objected to the Book on Shelf,” Daily Inter Lake, May 2, 2019. poem “Howl,” originally (and September 27– unsuccessfully) prosecuted as After a complaint from a local October 3, 2020 obscene in 1957. In 2019, a school pastor claiming the book “is a reconsideration committee voted deliberate attempt to indoctrinate by attending local programs 8–1 to retain the classic work. A young children, especially boys, or starting your own event student claimed that she was not into the LGBTQA lifestyle,” this Learn more at allowed to opt out of the assign- children’s book about two male ala.org/bbooks. ment and hired legal counsel to characters who fall in love after press her claims. The teacher fighting a dragon was withdrawn sent an apology to students, by the director of the Upshur
Field Report 2019 Banned & Challenged Books 7 AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OFFICE FOR INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM Hoffman, Sarah, and Ian Hoffman Jacob’s Room to Choose (2019) “While it may not be right for every family of A patron challenged this chil- Upshur County, it unquestionably serves the dren’s book that addresses information needs of many of the families and young gender expression and the use people residing in Upshur County.” of elementary school bathrooms. The book was retained, and the —letter sent to Upshur County Public Library Board by board and director of the Warsaw the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom, West Virginia Library Association, (IN) Community Public Library and National Coalition Against Censorship had a public discussion about the reconsideration process. Source: “Warsaw Library Works through Complaint County (WV) Public Library. The in particular far outweighs the About Book,” Times Union Online, Nov. 18, 2019. library board president refused to language used.” Hosseini, Khaled discuss the issue or hear public Source: “Westmont Hilltop School Board Blocks Effort comments but did state that the to Ban Book,” The Tribune-Democrat, May 17, 2019. The Kite Runner (2003) book is retained in the children’s A parent of a ninth grader at the section. Complete description and Park City (UT) School District Source: “Residents Not Happy after LGBTQ Children’s source for the Columbia County, expressed two concerns: first, Book Decision Postponed,” WDTV, Nov. 21, 2019. Georgia, challenge listed under that The Kite Runner’s child “Barker, Pat” on page 4. Complete description and source rape scene could cause students for the Loudoun County, VA, who have been sexually abused challenge listed under “Bond, Hall, Michael further trauma, and second, that Victoria” on page 4. Red: A Crayon’s Story (2015) there were other school-approved novels whose sexual content Complete description and source violated criminal code. The Haddon, Mark for the Oak Park, CA, challenge The Curious Incident of the school board said it would take all listed under “Anderson, Airlie” comments under consideration. on page 3. Dog in the Night-Time (2003) Source: “Parents Say PCSD Books Are Pornographic After the book was included on And Should Be Eliminated From Reading Lists,” KPCW, the voluntary summer reading Harris, Robie H. Nov. 20, 2019. list of the Westmont (PA) It’s Perfectly Normal (1994) Howe, James Hilltop School District, there It’s Perfectly Normal has been were complaints to the school hailed by parents, educators, Big Bob, Little Bob (2016) board about “foul language,” psychologists, and doctors for its Complete description and source “profane use of God’s name,” thorough and scientifically valid for the Loudoun County, VA, and a “negative portrayal of information concerning puberty challenge listed under “Bond, a character with autism or a and sexual topics. Arizona Victoria” on page 4. similar disorder.” A curriculum Republican State Rep. Kelly committee recommended that Townsend wrote a Facebook Hubbard, L. Ron the title not be included on the post calling on public school All titles by author list. At the largest public turnout and county libraries to pull A patron submitted a statement at a board meeting in recent copies from their shelves based of concern about the library’s memory (75 people), some people on the false claim that the book collection of Scientology said there was a contradiction “depicted minors having sexual materials written by L. Ron between the school’s ban on intercourse.” The Maricopa Hubbard, stating “more books profanity and approval of the County (AZ) Library District give the cult the appearance of book that contains curse words. retained the book, finding that it legitimacy.” The materials were The board voted to retain the adhered to their collection devel- retained, and the library notified title. In the words of one board opment policy. member, “I think that the value the patron. Source: “How a Children’s Book Became a Sex Ed Source: 2019 Annual Report, gained from understanding Strawman for Arizona Republicans,” Phoenix New State Library of Oregon differences for this individual Times, Dec. 17, 2019.
Field Report 2019 Banned & Challenged Books 8 AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OFFICE FOR INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM Katcher, Brian being condemned, and there were Cultural Revolution in China Almost Perfect (2009) stereotypical representations of because of its depiction of American Indians. In accordance violence against animals. The Complete description and source with library policy, three library Corvallis–Benton County (OR) for the Marion County, FL, staff reviewed the item; the book Public Library reclassified challenge listed under “Burgess, was retained. the book from juvenile fiction Anthony” on page 5. Source: 2019 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon graphic novels to juvenile nonfiction graphic novels Kilodavis, Cheryl Lee, Harper because it was more memoir than My Princess Boy (2009) fiction. To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) Complete description and source Source: 2019 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon A white substitute teacher at the for the Loudoun County, VA, Mustang (OK) High School read challenge listed under “Bond, Mathieu, Jennifer the N-word aloud from To Kill Victoria” on page 4. A Mockingbird. The only black The Truth About Alice (2015) Complete description and student in the class recorded the Complete description and source source for the Independence, KS, reading, notified the teacher that for the Marion County, FL, challenge listed under “Austrian, she was offended, and brought challenge listed under “Burgess, J. J.” on page 4. the matter to the attention of her Anthony” on page 5. principal. The district adopted a Kirkman, Robert new policy stating that “racially Matsui, Yusei charged language will no longer The Walking Dead (2003–2019) Assassination Classroom be spoken” in classrooms. The (series) A teacher at the Wallace (ID) status of the substitute teacher is (2012–2016) Sr. High School objected to this not known. This Japanese science fiction series of graphic novels available Source: “Racial Slur in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Leads to manga series featuring an at the school library. A reconsid- New Mustang School District Policy,“ KOCO News, octopus-like teacher who must be eration committee—comprising Nov. 22, 2019. killed to prevent the destruction students, staff, and parents—voted of the earth was available in 7–4 to retain the books. However, Look, Lenore the library of the Markham after parental pushback, the Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, Intermediate School in New district superintendent removed School, and Other Scary York. A parent of a student all the books. protested the violent premise of Things (2009) Source: “WHS Examining Library Books Content the series and met with school Policy,” Shoshone News-Press, June 22, 2019. Complete description and source administrators. They decided for the Loudoun County, VA, to remove the book. The state Larson, Hope challenge listed under “Bond, Department of Education said Victoria” on page 4. Goldie Vance (2016–2020) that the series is not intended for middle school students, and it Complete description and source Lopez, Diana is not available in other middle for the Loudoun County, VA, schools in the state. challenge listed under “Bond, Ask My Mood Ring Source: “School Library Books Focusing on Classroom How I Feel (2014) Victoria” on page 4. Violence Pulled from Shelves,” SILive.com, Jan. 31, 2019. Complete description and source Lawson, Robert for the Loudoun County, VA, They Were Strong challenge listed under “Bond, Victoria” on page 4. and Good (1940) Join organizations Winner of the 1941 Caldecott Martinez, Andres Vera that defend and Medal, this nonfiction children’s Little White Duck: promote free access book tells stories about the to information. A Childhood in China (2012) author’s family. A patron of A list can be found at the Tigard (OR) Public Library A parent challenged this bannedbooksweek.org. complained about two concerns: favorably reviewed children’s slavery was mentioned without book about life during the
Field Report 2019 Banned & Challenged Books 9 AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OFFICE FOR INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM McCourt, Frank challenge listed under “Burgess, collection or shelved with other Angela’s Ashes (1996) Anthony” on page 5. “legitimate items of medical value.” Retained. Complete description and source Newman, Lesléa Source: 2019 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon for the Marion County, FL, challenge listed under “Burgess, Heather Has Two Mommies Anthony” on page 5. (1989) Ostertag, Molly Complete description and source The Witch Boy (2017) Moradian, Afsaneh for the Loudoun County, VA, Complete description and source Jamie is Jamie: challenge listed under “Bond, for the Loudoun County, VA, A Book About Being Yourself Victoria” on page 4. challenge listed under “Bond, Victoria” on page 4. and Playing Your Way (2018) Complete description and Complete description and source source for the Independence, KS, for the Oak Park, CA, challenge challenge listed under “Austrian, Packebush, Nina listed under “Anderson, Airlie” J. J.” on page 3. Girls Like Me (2017) on page 3. Complete description and source for the Loudoun County, VA, Morrison, Toni challenge listed under “Bond, Suggest an The Bluest Eye (1970) Victoria” on page 4. Complete description and source enlightening for the Marion County, FL, banned or Parr, Todd challenge listed under “Burgess, challenged book It’s Okay to be Different Anthony” on page 5. as your next (2001) Complete description and source Murakami, Haruki book club read. for the Oak Park, CA, challenge Kafka on the Shore (2002) listed under “Anderson, Airlie” This international award-winning on page 3. novel was on the approved Newman, Lesléa reading list for the International Complete description and Baccalaureate program. After Sparkle Boy (2017) source for the Independence, KS, discovering that her teenage Complete description and source challenge listed under “Austrian, son was reading the book, New for the Oak Park, CA, challenge J. J.” on page 3. Gloucester State Rep. Amy Arata listed under “Anderson, Airlie” concluded that the book’s content on page 3. Patel, Sonia was too violent and sexual for Rani Patel In Full Effect students. She introduced a bill Noguchi, Rick, and Deneen Jenks (2016) that would allow prosecutors to Flowers from Mariko (2001) charge school administrators Complete description and source and teachers with a felony for Complete description and source for the Loudoun County, VA, sharing similar books with for the Loudoun County, VA, challenge listed under “Bond, students. Penalties included challenge listed under “Bond, Victoria” on page 4. potential fines and jail time. The Victoria” on page 4. bill was unanimously rejected by Pessin-Whedbee, Brook a legislative committee. Obradovic, Julie Who Are You? The Kid’s Guide Source: “Maine Lawmaker Seeking to Ban ‘Obscene’ An Unfortunate Coincidence: to Gender Identity (2016) Books from Schools,” WGME, Jan. 16, 2019. A Mother’s Life inside the A Mt. Angel (OR) Public Library Autism Controversy (2016) Naylor, Gloria patron complained that the book “tells children that adults are The Women of A patron of the Corvallis-Benton County (OR) Public Library wrong about gender—too much Brewster’s Place (1982) complained that the book information for young ones.” Complete description and source spread misinformation about Retained. for the Marion County, FL, autism, and should not be in the Source: 2019 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon
Field Report 2019 Banned & Challenged Books 10 AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OFFICE FOR INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM Pohlen, Jerome Rowling, J. K. Rumford, James Gay and Lesbian History Harry Potter series Silent Music: for Kids: The Century-Long (1997–2007) A Story of Baghdad (2008) Struggle for LGBT Rights, A pastor at St. Edward Cath- Complete description and source with 21 Activities (2015) olic School in Nashville, TN, for the Loudoun County, VA, Complete description and expressed concern about the challenge listed under “Bond, source for the Independence, KS, heretical lessons students Victoria” on page 4. challenge listed under “Austrian, could learn from the series. He J. J.” on page 3. consulted exorcists, and removed Russell, P. Craig the books from the school’s The Giver (2019) Quintero, Isabel library. “These books present magic as both good and evil, The graphic novel version of the Gabi, a Girl in Pieces (2014) which is not true, but in fact a Lois Lowry book was blocked Complete description and source clever deception,” he explained. in the processing department for the Loudoun County, VA, “The curses and spells used by staff at the Macdonald (MI) challenge listed under “Bond, in the books are actual curses Public Library, then wound Victoria” on page 4. and spells; which when read by up on the director’s desk. The a human being risk conjuring staff member found the graphic Ransom, Heather evil spirits into the presence of novel scene of infant euthanasia the person reading the text.” He inappropriate for the intended Going Green (2017) also stated, “The Harry Potter young adult audience. According A teacher in the Grants Pass (OR) books promote a Machiavellian to board minutes, the item was School District’s middle school approach to achieving the ends eventually reclassified from wrote a science fiction novel. It they desire with whatever means young adult to adult. was approved for use in instruc- are necessary.” Removed. Source: MacDonald Public Library Board documents, tion by a parent committee. Then Feb. 27, 2019. Source: “Harry Potter Books Removed from St. another parent objected that Edward Catholic School due to ‘Curses and Spells,’” the book had “overly sensual Tennessean, Aug. 31, 2019. Salbi, Zainab materials for a 12 year old, Freedom is an Inside Job: talking about hooking up” and stated, “Normalizing this type Owning Our Darkness of behavior, especially since a and Our Light to Heal teacher . . . wrote it, kids may think ALA’s Office Ourselves and the World this isn’t bad behavior.” Under for Intellectual (2018) consideration at this writing. Freedom receives Salbi’s memoir ranges from her Source: 2019 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon reports on childhood in Iraq to an arranged attempts to marriage in America to founding Richardson, Justin, and an organization to help women Peter Parnell ban books in all over the world. One sexual And Tango Makes Three (2005) communities scene in the book prompted a Complete description and across the patron of the Deschutes (OR) Public Library district to request source for the Independence, KS, country. Find lists challenge listed under “Austrian, a label calling out adult content. J. J.” on page 3. of frequently Retained, not labeled. challenged Source: 2019 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon Rotner, Shelley, and books at Sheila M. Kelly Sanchez, Alex ala.org/bbooks Families (2015) So Hard To Say (2006) Complete description and /frequently Complete description and source source for the Independence, KS, challengedbooks for the Loudoun County, VA, challenge listed under “Austrian, challenge listed under “Bond, J. J.” on page 3. Victoria” on page 4.
Field Report 2019 Banned & Challenged Books 11 AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OFFICE FOR INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM Sanders, Rob Strasser, Todd Pride: The Story of Harvey Boot Camp (2007) Want to let a Milk and the Rainbow Flag Complete description and source banned author (2018) for the Westwood, NJ, challenge know you have A parent of a Hanover County listed under “Asher, Jay” on (VA) Public Schools student was their back? Send page 3. upset that a teacher read this them a hand- children’s book to their seven- written letter. Strasser, Todd year-old daughter’s class, which Find postcards Can’t Get There she claimed encouraged her and addresses at From Here (2004) daughter to question her faith. Complete description and source Originally, the teacher stood by ala.org/bbooks for the Westwood, NJ, challenge the civil rights lesson. But after /dear-banned listed under “Asher, Jay” on the local TV station reached out -author. page 3. to district officials, the principal sent a letter home to parents Thompkins-Bigelow, Jamilah apologizing for the incident, and stating that the book had Silverman, Erica Mommy’s Khimar (2018) not been approved for the Jack (Not Jackie) (2018) Complete description and source curriculum. for the Loudoun County, VA, This children’s picture book on Source: “Hanover Mom Outraged after Gay Rights Book challenge listed under “Bond, gender identity was challenged Read to 7-Year-Old Daughter,” WRIC, April 1, 2019. Victoria” on page 4. by a Waukee (IA) Public Library patron objecting to its display Savage, Dan, and Terry Miller Truss, Lynne on the shelf of new books. Her It Gets Better: concerns, and those of another Twenty-Odd Ducks: Coming Out, Overcoming patron, were as follows: “highly Why, Every Punctuation Bullying, and Creating controversial subject and needs Mark Counts! (2018) to be taught by the parent first,” a Life Worth Living (2011) A patron of the Lake Oswego “may be confusing to children,” A patron of the Mt. Angel (OR) (OR) Public Library complained “it’s a sexual topic,” and “it’s Public Library complained about about an image in the 32-page an adult theme.” Both patrons the “anti-religious” sentiments book about punctuation: a suggested creating a new “parent and “frequent use of profanity” beheaded king continued talking guided children’s books” section in this book by the founder of and had blood around his neck. for similar books. The item was the “It Gets Better” YouTube The patron said the book was retained as cataloged. channel, which provides support inappropriate for children, to LGBTQIA+ teens in the wake Source: Waukee Public Library Board documents, and that she had challenged April 9, 2019. of many teen suicides. After it in other libraries. No formal following appropriate policy, complaint was filed. Retained. Stone, Nic the director informed the patron Source: 2019 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon that the book would be retained. Dear Martin (2017) The patron did not appeal the Complete description and source Twiss, Jill decision. for the Columbia County, GA, A Day in the Life of Source: 2019 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon challenge listed under “Barker, Marlon Bundo (2018) Pat” on page 4. Schiffer, Miriam B. A person defaced this parody of Marlon Bundo’s A Day in the Stella Brings Stott, Ann Life of the Vice President, writing the Family (2015) Want to Play Trucks? (2018) in the book that “Girl bunnies Complete description and Complete description and source marry boy bunnies. This is the source for the Independence, KS, for the Loudoun County, VA, way it has always been.” Then challenge listed under “Austrian, challenge listed under “Bond, the person added, “because J. J.” on page 3. Victoria” on page 4. science.” No formal request for
Field Report 2019 Banned & Challenged Books 12 AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OFFICE FOR INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM reconsideration was filed. The it was a misunderstanding. director announced that typically The book remains available for people are asked to pay for books circulation. If there’s a they have damaged. Source: “Plano Library Removed, Then Reinstated, Source: “Libraries Celebrate fREADom during Banned Lawrence Wright’s ‘God Save Texas’ from Club’s local challenge Books Week,” Tahlequah Daily Press, Sept. 25, 2019. Reading List,” The Dallas Morning News, Jan. 15, 2019. reported in the write a Vernacchio, Al news, For Goodness Sex: Changing Education Justice Project powerful letter to the Way We Talk to Teens The Education Justice Project the editor in your About Sexuality (2014) (EJP), a college-in-prison program newspaper. The of the University of Illinois at letter could touch A parent filed a request for Urbana-Champaign, established on the benefits reconsideration form, asking, a library in the Danville (IL) “Do I really want my 12 year old Correctional Center. Center of unrestricted to know how do girls have sex? officials removed more than 200 reading, a defense or how 2 guys dance together? books, essays, and journals from of the First Or learn crude terms and names the collection, most of them Amendment for body parts?” The book was related to African American retained, but moved from the history, race, and social change. freedom to read, young adult section to the Following testimony and public or your personal parenting section, which was the pressure by the EJP, all of the titles experience with book’s intended audience. were returned to the EJP’s shelves reading the book. Source: 2019 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon in Danville Correctional Center. Source: “Illinois Prison Removes More Than 200 Books Weaver, Lila Quintero From Prison Library,” WILL AM-FM-TV-Online, May 29, My Year in the Middle (2018) 2019. Complete description and source board meeting to argue for the inclusion of materials addressing for the Loudoun County, VA, Diverse Classroom Library challenge listed under “Bond, LGBTQIA+ and disability issues. Victoria” on page 4. The Kalamazoo (MI) Public The school board president Schools announced a plan to apologized, and the board Wright, Lawrence add more diverse content to reversed its decision. While racial God Save Texas: elementary school classrooms. issues remain the focus—more After complaints from three than 6 in 10 students belong A Journey into the Soul parents about a story featuring to racial or ethnic minorities— of the Lone Star State (2018) a transgender child, the school the program will also address Members of a longtime book announced that the diversity broader themes, including club at the Parr Library (Plano, initiative would not encompass LGBTQIA+, disabilities, and TX) said officials temporarily LGBTQIA+ materials, focusing socioeconomic diversity. removed this book from their instead on racial and ethnic Source: “LGBTQ Issues Complicate Kalamazoo Elemen- reading list for being too diversity. Then some two tary Book Program,” WMUK, Dec. 17, 2019. political. Library officials claim dozen people showed up at a
Promote the freedom to read in style with posters, T-shirts, and mugs from the ALA Store (ala.org/bbooks/shop). Sales support the defense of intellectual freedom in libraries and schools.
Field Report 2019 Banned & Challenged Books 13 AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OFFICE FOR INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM Beyond Books
The following are 2019 public challenges to library or school services and resources that aren’t books.
Films
The Club (2016) Death of a Nation: This award-winning Chilean Can We Save America drama about priests and child a Second Time (2018) abuse was challenged at the The patron of an unspecified Last Tango in Paris (1972) Deschutes (OR) Public Library public library in Oregon objected District due to scenes of brutal A patron of the Deschutes to what he called a “pro-Trump (OR) Public Library District, violence, violent sexual acts, DVD.” The docudrama is based explicit sexual language, and concerned about allegations of an on Dinesh D’Souza’s book, and actual rape of the actress Maria because it was “not suitable.” the author was a director and Retained. Schneider in the film, called for writer of the film. Retained. the library to remove the film and Source: 2019 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon Source: 2019 Annual Report, State Library take a stand for women’s rights. of Oregon The film was retained. Death Proof (2007) Happytime Murders Source: 2019 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon A patron of the Josephine County (OR) Library insisted that this (2018) The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) Tarantino exploitation horror A patron of the Sheridan County A patron of the Antioch (IL) movie be removed from the (WY) Public Library System Public Library District objected library because of foul language. requested that the library bar to the graphic sexual scenes, Retained. children from checking out the vulgar language, and heavy drug Source: 2019 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon puppet/black comedy because use in the film. Retained. of the sexual scene between two Source: Antioch Public Library Board documents, puppets. Status unknown. July 2019. Source: Fulmer Public Library Board documents, March 20, 2019. “Challenges” are not just complaints about books, but rather willful attempts to remove or restrict access Newspapers to library resources or programming. New York Times Donald Trump.” “I don’t want the Challenges can be a Citrus County, FL, commis- New York Times in this county,” written complaint, sioners unanimously denied a said one commissioner. The a form submitted to request from their local library to library has a subscription to the spend $2,700 annually on digital a library, or a call to print edition. subscriptions to the New York action on social media. Source: “Florida County Denies Library Subscriptions Times, stating that the paper is to the New York Times because It’s ‘Fake News,’” “fake news” and they “agree with Orlando Weekly, Nov. 5, 2019.
Field Report 2019 Banned & Challenged Books 14 AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OFFICE FOR INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM Programs & Meeting Rooms
An increasing number of The Jacksonville (FL) Public challenges to library programs Library cancelled its Storybook and meeting room usage target Pride Prom at Riverside’s Drag Queen Story Hours, Willowbranch Library after where the focus is less on the Raymond Johnson, founder of titles, contents, or authors of Biblical Concepts Ministries any specific books, but rather in Jacksonville, and Elizabeth the library for arguing with the who is reading them. In these Johnston, a blogger and author protesters. At the end of the talk, special storytime events where who goes by “The Activist the speakers found their car had picture books are read aloud to Mommy,” asked their followers been covered with fake blood. children, performers dressed in to call the library and “express Source: “Schooner Creek Farm Owner Sarah Dye drag (usually men dressed in your disgust that this perversion Criticizes Farmers Market Protests Thursday,” Indiana theatrically feminine costumes) is taking place in a taxpayer Daily Student, Sept. 27, 2019. try to encourage both a love of funded library.” After a flood reading, inclusivity, and kindness. of calls both protesting and A parent complained about the Hate mail, petitions, social media supporting the event, the library Daviess County (KY) Public campaigns, death threats, and concluded that it could not Library District’s program that lawsuits were directed at the provide “safety and security distributes overstock books to performers, administrators, and for everybody involved,” participating teens. She posted library workers of 27 states. particularly gay minors. excerpts from the books to The Office for Intellectual Source: “Jacksonville Library Cancels Sold-Out Pride social media, saying that the Freedom recorded 53 challenges Prom Event, Says It Can’t Provide Adequate Safety,” The books “encouraged promiscuity to Drag Queen Story Hours Florida Times-Union, June 24, 2019. and for teenagers to lose their in 2019, including in the virginity.” Parents of teens libraries of Washoe County, NV; The author of Kid Activists, receiving the books are required Albuquerque, NM; Haverford, Robin Stevenson, reported that to sign a disclaimer that states PA; Irving, TX; Lafayette, LA; her visit to the Longfellow “I understand that Young Adults Louisville, KY; Lexington Park, Elementary School in Wheaton, titles may contain controversial MD; Putnam, TN; Lafayette, CO; IL, was canceled because of a themes, mature content, and/or and Greenville, SC. Events that parent complaining about the profanity. I accept that it is the were not cancelled demonstrated book’s inclusion of Harvey Milk. responsibility of the teen and a positive message of LGBTQIA+ The school responded that the their parents/legal guardians support in their community. concern was not so much the to determine what is and is not topic, as the fact that they did not Source: Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy appropriate reading material for Summer 2019, Spring 2019, and Fall-Winter 2018 have the opportunity to inform a particular teen.” The library parents of the content and give said it would replace the books The Jonesboro (AR) Public them the opportunity to opt out. for that family, and attach the Library invited trans author Source: “Author Says District 200 Canceled Visit Due To disclaimer to each future box. Meredith Russo to its annual LGBT Content,” Patch.com, Nov. 7, 2019. Source: “Library Receives Backlash for Mature Content authors program. Public protest in Teen Book Program,” The Owensboro Times, Feb. persuaded the library to request The Grassroots Conservatives 28, 2019. police presence at the event. booked a closed meeting room In previous years, schools at the Monroe County (IN) Public The Worcester County (MD) attended this event as a field trip. Library and hosted a speaker Library cancelled a lecture on According to library officials, associated with the American the U.S. Constitution hosted by “Due to safety concerns that have Identity Movement, formerly the president of the library’s arisen, the schools have decided known as Identity Evropa. foundation and former chair they will not be attending this Identity Evropa is considered to of the Worcester County year.” The event was held. be a white nationalist movement Democratic Central Committee by the Southern Poverty Law after it received protests and a Source: “First M.L. King, Then a Trans Youth Author Protest. Jonesboro Editor Says Enough!,” Arkansas Center. When news leaked on threat from local groups who Times, Oct. 17, 2019. social media, there were protests. said the lecture would address One person was escorted from “how to either impeach Trump or
Field Report 2019 Banned & Challenged Books 15 AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OFFICE FOR INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM remove him from office” and how cancel all future such events. to “collude and conspire to take The second Trans 101 program away your vote.” While county was postponed but reinstated A “ban” is a removal of materials. commissioners praised the following circulation of a Sometimes the ban is a decision professionalism of the director supportive petition. The library made by a committee, and other and board, a member of the board continued to hear from times an administrator or staff Republican Women of Worcester supporters and objectors at member removes resources without County later expressed her own library board meetings. Without following a library’s policy. A ban concern with what she contended authorization or endorsement can also be the cancellation of a was the partisanship of the from the board, a board member program or display. lecture, referring to the speaker’s wrote a personal letter to the previous affiliation with the newspaper, writing that “a Worcester County Democrats. once safe community setting Source: “Ranck Praised for Handling of Library Rancor,” known as the public library she was a lesbian. Newman is also Ocean City Today, March 28, 2019. has become a space that, in the the author of Heather Has Two guise of intellectual freedom, Mommies. The Anne Arundel County (MD) wants to change thinking on Source: “The Uninvited by Lesléa Newman,” Nerdy Public Library sponsored a Drag voyeurism and gender confusion, Book Club, Nov. 12, 2019. Queen Story Time, which was while promoting materials and attended by more than 100 programs that lead children Ohio House Speaker Larry people. Following the event, toward being sexually exploited.” Householder criticized gay the board of trustees adopted a Source: “Mid-Continent Library Evaluating Future of pride events at public libraries, policy to give themselves final Transgender Program,” KSHB, Sept. 24, 2019. contributing to the cancellation say over library programs. While of a library’s teen pride event in a board representative stated Following protests against a Licking County, which is half of that the intent was not to censor visit from Golbarg Bashi, the his district. Householder called or preempt library staff, many author of P is for Palestine: A the event at the Licking County programs—including at least a Palestine Alphabet Book, the Library “a stunningly bizarre dozen LGBT-related events— Highland Park (NJ) Public breach of the public trust,” and had been put on hold, creating Library canceled the talk. The said “taxpayers aren’t interested logistical problems for staff. The chief concern of the many Jewish in seeing their hard-earned programs were retained after the residents of the community was dollars being used to teach board unanimously voted to adopt the page on “I is for Intifada”; teenage boys how to become a revised version of the policy that intifada is considered by drag queens.” Citing safety no longer gives the board voting many as an endorsement and concerns, the director canceled power or calls for programs to be encouragement of violence the meeting. It was rescheduled flagged as “potentially controver- against the Jewish state. The visit for a local bookstore. sial,” and instead asks for notifica- was rescheduled for later in the Source: “Householder Speaks Out on LGBTQ Events,” tion of any programs that “merit year, and held despite protests. Akron Beacon Journal, June 1, 2019. their special attention.” Source: “‘P is for Palestine’ Event Held in Highland Park Source: “Anne Arundel Library Board Puts 16 LGBTQ, Despite Protests,” MyCentralJersey, Oct. 20, 2019. An event by the Delaware County Women’s Health Programs ‘In Limbo,’” Capital Gazette, (OH) District Library was geared March 13, 2019. Author Lesléa Newman was to children of any gender ages 12 invited to speak at a Jewish day to 17 interested in learning “the The Mid-Continent (MO) Public school in her hometown of basics” of dressing in drag. Those Library sponsored a “Trans 101” Brooklyn about her latest book, who objected to and supported program, an educational program Gittel’s Journey: An Ellis Island the class made many comments aimed at teens and adults Story. However, after the school in public and at board meetings. intended to provide education and cancelled due to an unanticipated Eventually, the event was canceled conversation about transgender field trip, Newman said online that due to safety concerns. identity and experiences. While she believes she was disinvited, Source: “Updated: Drag 101 Riles Some, but Delaware the event was well attended, one which she inferred was due to County Library Stands Firm,” ThisWeek Community person submitted a petition to school officials discovering that News, May 23, 2019.
Field Report 2019 Banned & Challenged Books 16 AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OFFICE FOR INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM The Estacada (OR) Public they learned that some of her room at the Seattle (WA) Public Library held various Pride books are categorized as “erotica” Library for a public talk that Month events, which prompted (Watts says, “mildly romantic”), was described by the group as complaints by one resident to and that the age of the conference “a critical analysis of gender County Commissioners, a county attendees was 12 to 15. identity” that will “make powerful website, and on a closed group Source: “Young Adult Author Pulled from Knox Li- arguments for sex-based women’s on Facebook, saying that the brary’s Teen Festival because She Also Writes ‘Erotica,’” rights.” There were immediate events “must stop.” No formal Knoxville News Sentinel, Sept. 4, 2019. demands by trans activists and complaint was communicated allies to cancel the event, but the to the library, and a subsequent A middle school in Texas library determined that it was event proceeded as planned and abruptly canceled author Jen required by its First Amendment without incident. Petro-Roy’s visit to promote obligations to host the meeting. Source: 2019 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon her debut novel P.S. I Miss The Gender Justice League, a You. According to the author, a Seattle nonprofit that advocates Camille Paglia was scheduled to school administrator said that for gender and sexuality justice, give a talk titled “Ambiguous by teaching this book, she’d criticized the decision, saying Images: Sexual Duality and be promoting an LGBTQIA+ “the end result of a hate group Sexual Multiplicity in Western “agenda.” Petro-Roy reports using the library as a venue Art” for the University of Arts that many authors touching to ‘critique’ the existence of a Philadelphia, where Paglia has on LGBTQIA+ themes are minority group creates a hostile taught for 30 years and is a experiencing greater frequency environment and is unacceptable.” tenured faculty member. A group of such cancellations, although Despite a protest, a bomb threat, of students demanded that the schools are rarely forthcoming interruptions, and arrests, the talk be cancelled and Paglia fired about the reason. event was held as planned. for previous comments they Source: “LGBTQ Books are Being Censored in Middle Source: “Amid Outcry, Seattle Public Library Weighs considered transphobic. (Paglia Schools. Authors are Speaking Out.” Entertainment Decision to Provide Venue for ‘Radical Feminist’ Event Weekly, Aug. 19, 2019. identifies as transgender.) During Criticized as Anti-Trans,” The Seattle Times, Dec. 9, 2019. the event, which took place with peaceful protesters outside, a Two hours before a planned talk The mayor of Charleston, WV, an person pulled the fire alarm. at the Leander (TX) Public invited speaker at the West Afterward, many professors at Library, award-winning trans- Virginia Book Festival, protested the institution were reluctant to gender comic book writer Lilah when Orson Scott Card, author of go on record with their thoughts, Sturges learned that the program Ender’s Game, was also invited to pointing out that the university had been cancelled due to speak at the festival. The mayor no longer awarded tenure, a “unforeseen circumstances.” The said Card had a “well documented guarantee of academic freedom. cancellation followed a highly history of views that are contrary publicized controversy over a Source: “Camille Paglia Can’t Say That,” The Atlantic, to the City of Charleston’s May 1, 2019. pride festival and story time commitment to being an inclusive event held by an LGBTQ-friendly and welcoming community,” and Author Julia Watts, who has church. After protests, the city asked the festival to reevaluate written about LGBTQIA+ teens council ended library meeting its invitation to him. When the growing up in Appalachia, reports room rentals and some library festival did not withdraw Card’s that she was abruptly uninvited, programming. A few months invitation, she withdrew as a and her name removed from the later, the longtime library director speaker, saying “I will not support website of the Knox County (TN) announced her departure. hate speech of any kind.” Card Public Library’s LitUp Festival. Source: “Leander Public Library Abruptly Cancels spoke at the festival despite Allegedly, one of the adult festival Appearance of Popular Comic Author,” Hill Country protests. News, July 10, 2019. coordinators was fearful that the Source: “Charleston Mayor Cancels Book Festival LGBTQIA+ themes of her fiction Appearance, Citing Anti-LGBTQ Author,” Charleston weren’t suitable for teens. Library The Women’s Liberation Gazette-Mail, Oct. 3, 2019. officials claim that while they Front—a trans-exclusionary “love” Watts, who has worked group that describes itself as with them on many programs, “feminist”—booked a meeting
Field Report 2019 Banned & Challenged Books 17 AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OFFICE FOR INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM Displays and Artwork
A group of students, educators, was moved and joins other WPA and artists recommended that a artwork in Washington, D.C. mural depicting scenes in the life Source: “Two More Historic Murals that Oak Park of George Washington (including Officials Say Don’t ‘Reflect’ the Community Will be the image of a murdered Native Removed from Schools,” Chicago Tribune, May 2, 2019. the town, that was charged with American, and a slave) be authority to manage the library, removed from a San Francisco A patron of the Park Ridge (IL) adopted a display policy, which high school because it doesn’t Public Library inquired if the gave final approval to the director. represent the school’s values. Works Progress Administration However, the director resigned a First, the school board voted mural called “Indians Cede the month later. to paint over the New Deal-era Land” was insulting to Native Source: “Rumford’s Banned Books Display Will Stay,” artwork. After public outcry, they Americans and questioned its American Libraries, Sept. 17, 2019. amended the vote to digitize the display in the library. In addition, work and merely cover it up. a neighboring community The University of Minnesota set Source: “High School’s George Washington Mural removed similar murals from up an exhibit called “The ABCs Doesn’t Represent Its Values and Should be Removed, school libraries in Oak Park, of It,” featuring the works of Group Says,” The Washington Post, May 8, 2019. IL. Ultimately, library officials several children’s authors drawn worked with the acting director from the children’s literature The Otis Library (Norwich, of Newberry Library’s McNickle archive housed at the Elmer L. Connecticut) installed a memo- Center for American Indian and Andersen Library. Some children’s rial to thousands of Sikhs killed Indigenous Studies to provide authors were concerned that 35 years ago in India. The additional historical context and the exhibit spotlighted classics memorial accused the Indian education about the portrait and without providing context that government of genocide. Then the period it was created. The some titles were considered by India’s consul general in New mural remains. some to be racist, such as The York allegedly threatened the Source: “Instead of Removal, Park Ridge Library Will Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss and library’s nonprofit status and Add Historical Context to Mural of Native Americans Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie called the library’s executive Ceding Land to Government,” Chicago Tribune, May Brink. This led the university to director to discuss the memorial. 16, 2019. expand the exhibit and offer an India calls the deaths “riots,” not additional program about racism state-sponsored genocide. “Otis The Rumford (ME) Public in children’s literature. Library and the Norwich Monu- Library’s banned books display Source: “An ABC of Controversy: The Kerlan Collection ments Committee jointly agreed included two LGBTQIA+ titles, Tweaks Exhibit in Response to Concerns About Racist to remove the plaque, flags, and Two Boys Kissing and My Lesbian Content,” Publishers Weekly, March 12, 2019. portrait,” said the president of the Experience with Loneliness. library board of trustees. Local Following protests, an interim The Kearney (NE) Public Sikhs have begun planning an town manager investigated how Library put up a pride display. independent Sikh museum in displays were chosen and wrote, A patron proposed changing the Connecticut. “The current practice regarding library’s policy to prohibit such ‘banned books’ seems tantamount Source: “Otis Library Removes Sikh Genocide Memori- displays, or offer equal access to al 3 Months after Unveiling It,” The Bulletin, Oct. 11, 2019. to providing certain individual Biblical perspectives. The library town employees with their own board voted against the proposed An Oak Park, IL, school district political platforms during work policy alternatives. removed a 1937 Works Progress hours.” The board of trustees, Source: Kearney Public Library Board documents, Administration (WPA) mural which noted that it was they, not Sept. 10, 2019. from Julian Middle School because it did not reflect today’s more diverse student population. When a challenge occurs in your community, attend The mural, called “Child and a local board meeting and explain why you think the Sports Winter,” features only resource should remain in the library. white children. The mural, according to district officials,
Field Report 2019 Banned & Challenged Books 18 AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OFFICE FOR INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM Doane University (Crete, NE) vulgar language. But the library programming could be seen as library staff curated an exhibit no longer enforces the policy endorsing LGBTQ issues. The of historical photographs and and was not consulted about library director, its governing other memorabilia from student the decision either to display or board, and the city manager scrapbooks housed in university remove the piece. A week later, created policies on displays and archives. A student complained the painting was restored to the programming, and the library about two photographs in a exhibit. programs continued as planned. display called “Parties of the Source: “Anti-Trump Painting Removed From Art Source: 2019 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon Past,” which showed students Exhibit In Montclair,” Patch.com, April 11, 2019. attending a 1926 Halloween As part of a City of Shoreline party in blackface. Following the At the Oregon City (OR) Public public art program titled complaint, the director removed Library, two people complained “Pop-Up Pianos 2019,” a the photographs in an attempt to separately about the library’s local artist salvaged a female avoid “external censorship,” but Pride Month display set up in mannequin to create a the provost directed the removal an area away from the children’s “sculpturally enhanced piano” of the entire exhibit. The director reading section. One parent displayed at the Shoreline branch was placed on suspension, but complained that her children of the King County (WA) Library later reinstated. had seen the display and she was System. The exhibit immediately Source: “Colliding Values at Doane,” Inside Higher Ed, upset that it was not balanced by garnered patron complaints May 6, 2019. other views or values. Another that “the female mannequin’s parent said he would not nude torso was inappropriate for A local nonprofit that curated an return with his children while children.” When requested by the art exhibit called “Love and the display was in place. Staff library to cover up the torso, the Fear,” held at the Montclair listened to patron concerns; the artist objected, but eventually put (NJ) Public Library, removed displays were retained. a tank top over the piece, saying a painting showing President Source: 2019 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon that she would have liked to add a Donald Trump wearing a hat with message on the shirt: “Censored the words “Make America White The Lincoln City (OR) by the Library.” Again.” The curators said they Driftwood Public Library Pride Source: “Shoreline Prudes Cover Up Nippleless made the decision because some Month display was nearly Mannequin at the Library,” The Stranger, Aug. 6, 2019. of the language in the painting cancelled because the city violated a library policy about manager worried displays and
Online Services & Resources Hollins University Yearbook cartoon drawings. Some groups Archivists. Hard copies of the The president of Hollins urged the university to restore yearbooks are available, and each University (Roanoke, VA) access, including university edition will include a message temporarily removed four librarians, a group working to that acknowledges the racist editions of yearbooks from its address the legacies of slavery portrayals of African Americans. digital archives that included and racial inequality, the Office Source: “Hollins University Temporarily Pulls Yearbooks images of former students in for Intellectual Freedom, with Blackface from Digital Archives,” Richmond blackface and racially insensitive and the Society of American Times-Dispatch, April 3, 2019.
Field Report 2019 Banned & Challenged Books 19 AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OFFICE FOR INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM Top 10 Challenged Books of 2019
The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 377 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2019. Overall, 566 books were targeted. Here are the “Top 10 Most Challenged Books in 2019,” along with the reasons cited for censoring the books:
#1 George #4 Sex is a Funny Word #8 Drama by Alex Gino by Cory Silverberg, written and illustrated by Challenged, banned, restricted, and illustrated by Fiona Smyth Raina Telgemeier hidden to avoid controversy; for Challenged, banned, and relocated Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and LGBTQIA+ content and a transgender for LGBTQIA+ content; for discussing for concerns that it goes against “family character; because schools and gender identity and sex education; values/morals” libraries should not “put books in a and for concerns that the title and child’s hand that require discussion”; for illustrations were “inappropriate” #9 Harry Potter (series) sexual references; and for conflicting with a religious viewpoint and #5 Prince & Knight by J. K. Rowling “traditional family structure” Banned and forbidden from discussion by Daniel Haack, for referring to magic and witchcraft, #2 Beyond Magenta: illustrated by Stevie Lewis for containing actual curses and spells, Challenged and restricted for featuring and for characters that use “nefarious Transgender Teens a gay marriage and LGBTQIA+ content; means” to attain goals Speak Out for being “a deliberate attempt to indoctrinate young children” with #10 And Tango by Susan Kuklin the potential to cause confusion, Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, for curiosity, and gender dysphoria; and for Makes Three “its effect on any young people who conflicting with a religious viewpoint by Peter Parnell and would read it,” and for concerns that it Justin Richardson, was sexually explicit and biased #6 I Am Jazz illustrated by Henry Cole Challenged and relocated for LGBTQIA+ #3 A Day in the Life of by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, illustrated by content Marlon Bundo Shelagh McNicholas by Jill Twiss, Challenged and relocated for LGBTQIA+ illustrated by EG Keller content, for a transgender character, Challenged and vandalized for LGBTQIA+ and for confronting a topic that is content and political viewpoints, for “sensitive, controversial, and politically concerns that it is “designed to pollute charged” the morals of its readers,” and for not including a content warning #7 The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood Banned and challenged for profanity and for “vulgarity and sexual overtones” k