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CHALLENGED OR BANNED

IN 2015-2016

Banned Books Week 2016 continues more than thirty Individuals are free to choose years of celebrating—and protecting—the freedom to what they themselves or their children read, but it is not a role for read. This freedom to choose what we read from the governmental or public agencies. fullest array of possibilities is firmly rooted in the First Attempts to censor—referred to Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the amendment as “challenges” in this list—are not mere expressions of a point of view; that guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of rather, they represent requests to the press. Even as we enjoy a seemingly limitless and remove materials from schools or expanding amount of information, there is always a , thus restricting access to them by others. Even when such danger in someone else selecting what is available and challenges are overturned and the to whom. Would-be censors come from all quarters allowed to stay on shelves, the attempt is and all political persuasions and threaten our right to real and has an impact. Teachers choose for ourselves. may be reluctant to place the book on future lists, fewer copies This year’s may be bought or read. is focusing on the diversity of authors and ideas that have This list documents both challenges prompted a disproportionate share and bannings, calling our attention of challenges. ALA’s Office for to a practice that many think is estimates that no longer a threat. And in fact, it more than half of all banned books includes only a fraction of such are by authors of color or ones that attempts. The list is limited to books represent groups or viewpoints and does not include challenges outside the mainstream. to magazines, newspapers, films, broadcasts, plays, performances, U.S. Supreme Court Justice William electronic publications, or exhibits. Brennan, in Texas v. Johnson, said, Surveys also indicate that up to “If there is a bedrock principle 85 percent of actual challenges to underlying the First Amendment, library materials receive no media it is that the Government may attention and remain unreported. not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society Some of the titles on the list will finds the idea itself offensive or seem predictable, others might disagreeable.” Objections to sex, surprise. Because of the celebration profanity, and racism in literature of Banned Books Week since 1982, are the most common examples of most of them are still available in attempts to censor, and most occur schools and libraries. Don’t take in schools and school libraries. their presence for granted.

Books Challenged or Banned, 2O15–2O16 1 T hIS represents books challenged, restricted, removed,

or banned in 2015 and 2016 as reported in the Newsletter on Intellectual

Freedom, Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, and American

Libraries Direct (AL Direct).

Alexie, Sherman tells the story of a lesbian coming to The Absolutely True Diary of a terms with her own sexuality as she over Part-Time Indian time discovers that her distant father is Thi ornd ke Press; Little, Brown also gay. Challenged, but retained at Challenged, but retained in the Brunswick Crafton Hills College, a community County, N.C. schools (2015) because, college in Yucaipa, Calif. (2015) despite “Appeals to a book the school board has a student’s request to remove the book previously ruled on will not be considered because it was “objectionable.” One of for two years.” A grandmother complained the most celebrated graphic of that the book “portrays bestiality and is its generation (a finalist for the 2006 pornographic.” Not disheartened by the National Book Critics Circle Award), decision to retain, she said that she the theatrical adaptation won the Tony achieved her objective with the latest Award for Best Musical, and numerous ( Dates prior to May 2015 indicate challenge—to inform parents about the other awards, in 2015. the controversy began earlier, but book. The challenged contemporary S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, continued into 2015 or 2016.) young adult book is a National Book Sept. 2015, pp. 147-49; 161-62. Award winner. It tells the story of a Benioff, David teenager who grows up on the Spokane City of Thieves Indian Reservation but leaves to attend Viking an all-white high school in a farm town. Challenged at the RePublic Schools in The book has strong language, including Nashville, Tenn. (2015) despite the racial slurs. charter school operator redacting and S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, July 2015, pp. 117-18. changing portions of the book that were deemed “inappropriate” for middle school Bechdel, Alison students. The 2008 work of historical Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic fiction chronicles the perils and lives of Hougo ht n Mifflin; Mariner Books two boys in World War II-era Leningrad Challenged as recommended, not and includes profanity and sexually required, summer reading for incoming explicit scenes. The author was a freshman at Duke University in Durham, co-creator of the HBO version of “Game N.C. (2015) because some students of Thrones” and writer of the script for the objected to the ’s “depictions of film adaptation of The Kite Runner. lesbian sexuality, arguing that the book S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, is borderline pornographic and they Nov. 2015, pp. 144-45. shouldn’t have been asked to read it.” Similar criticisms have been levied by Bower, Bert, and Jim Lobdell History Alive! The Medieval opponents at other colleges and World and Beyond universities that have taught the book, T eAChers’ Curriculum Institute including the College of Charleston— Challenged as a supplemental history where state lawmakers threatened to in the Roxbury Township, N.J. defund the summer reading program for school district (2015) by two or three featuring it—and the University of Utah. parents saying the book glorifies Islamic Both institutions stood by the book, which

2 Books Challenged or Banned, 2O15–2O16 Jihad. After review by the district, the following complaints from family advocacy wedding on the final page has been cited book was retained as a supplemental text group Family First, took the book out of by social conservatives as “gay-rights from which seventh- and eighth-grade circulation. It was the first book banned in movements undermining religious teachers could choose various activities New Zealand in the last twenty-two years. freedom.” that are educationally appropriate as they On October 14, 2015, the Film and S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, explore world cultures. Literature Board lifted the ban, ruling by July 2015, pp. 118-19. S ource: Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, a majority that while aspects of the book Dorfman, Ariel Spring 2016, p. 55. were offensive it did not merit an age Death and the Maiden restriction. The novel is a coming-of-age Chbosky, Stephen Pui eng n Books story, and is intended for a young adult The Perks of Being a Wallflower Challenged as required reading in the audience. It was awarded the Margaret Pco ket Books Rumson-Fair Haven, N.J. high school Mahy Book of the Year prize and also R emoved from the required high (2015) because the play is “too sexually won the top prize in the Young Adult school freshman English curriculum in explicit for high school teens.” An ad hoc Fiction category at the 2013 New Wallingford, Conn. (2015) by the school committee of teachers, school board Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards. superintendent after a parent complained members, and a parent recommended S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, that the book included references to Nov. 2015, p. 146. that the play be moved off the summer “homosexuality, date rape, masturbation, reading list and instead be taught during and the glorification of alcohol use and Dawson, James the school year so teachers can guide the drugs.” The novel was adapted into a This Book Is Gay students as they read it. The play is about film in 2012, which received mainly Hot Key Books a former political prisoner who was raped positive reviews; MTV, Us Weekly, and Wasilla, Alaska, (2015) by her captors. Years later, she believes Complex named it as one of the best moved its entire young adult nonfiction she has found her attacker—a man who films of the year. to the adult stacks in response to a drove her husband home after a flat tire. S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, complaint about Dawson’s book. Several She ties up her attacker and puts him on May 2015, p. 69. Wasilla residents attacked the book at a trial, with her husband acting as his city council meeting saying that “they attorney. The play received the Laurence Choldenko, Gennifer didn’t want ‘gay books’ or books about Olivier Award for Best New Play in 1992. Al Capone Does My Shirts gay people in the library at all.” For S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, P uFFIn defending the sex education book for Nov. 2015, pp. 142-43; Journal of Intellectual Challenged on the New York state Freedom and Privacy, Spring 2016, pp. 55-56. teens, the library director was branded as elementary- and middle-school reading a pedophile in the highly controversial Foer, Jonathan Safran lists (2015) because complainants said public debates. Extremely Loud and the book “perpetuates negative S ource: Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, Incredibly Close stereotypes by touting the infamous Spring 2016, p. 53. Ma riner Books gangster Al Capone.” The two sequels in R emoved from the Mattoon, Ill. High Choldenko’s “Tales from Alcatraz” novels de Haan, Linda and Stern Nijland School curriculum (2015) because of were also challenged: Al Capone Shines King & King “its use of lewd and possibly offensive My Shoes and Al Capone Does My Tr icycLE Press materials.” The novel’s narrator is a Homework. Capone was a prisoner at Challenged at the Efland-Cheeks, N.C. nine-year-old boy, Oskar Schell, who Alcatraz from 1935 to 1939. The book Elementary School (2015) after a lost his father in the 9/11 attack on the was named a Newbery Honor selection, third-grade teacher read the book to deal World Trade Center, and is convinced an ALA Notable Children’s Book, and with a case of bullying. The teacher said that his dad left a final message for him in 2007 it received the California Young he read the book after a boy in his class somewhere in the city. The book was Reader Medal. was called gay in a derogatory way and named to the ’s S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, told he was acting like a girl. Two parents “Books to Remember” list and to the July 2015, p. 96. said the book was inappropriate for American Library Association’s Notable children that age, and at least one said Dawe, Ted Books for Adults (2006). A film parents should have been notified in Into the River adaptation of the novel was released on advance. The complaints were withdrawn Mangakino University Press January 20, 2012, starring Tom Hanks after the teacher and vice principal Banned from sale and supply in New and Sandra Bullock. resigned from the school. Originally Zealand (2015) because it contains S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, written in Dutch, the book has been “highly offensive language, strong sexual Nov. 2015, p. 141; Journal of Intellectual Freedom published in at least eight languages and and Privacy, Spring 2016, p. 34. descriptions (and) covers serious things a theatrical version has been performed like pedophilia and sexual abuse.” The from Vienna to Mexico City. The image country’s Film and Literature Board, of the princes kissing each other at their

Books Challenged or Banned, 2O15–2O16 3 Forman, Gayle Haddon, Mark Kermit the Frog (“as told to Louise Gikow Just One Day The Curious Incident of the and Ellen Weiss”). It was produced in Speak Dog in the Night-Time cooperation with the United Nations as Challenged, but retained in the Doubleday a fundraiser for the organization. Rosemount, Minn. middle and high Pulled as a summer reading assignment Source: Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, school libraries (2015) despite a parent’s in the Leon County, Fla. schools (2015) Spring 2016, pp. 56-57. concern about “a graphic sex scene, because of the book’s content and Hergé [Georges Remi] underage drinking [and] date rape” and language. Moved from required reading Tintin in America also “inappropriate language.” The parent to optional reading at Lincoln High School French & European Publications suggested the district remove it from all in Tallahassee, Fla. (2015) after receiving Pulled by the Winnipeg, Canada Public Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan libraries. about a dozen complaints through Library (2015) pending review due to The book centers on a teenager, Allyson, telephone calls and e-mails about the stereotypical and racist depictions of who spends one romantic day in Paris book’s profanity and atheism. The indigenous peoples. The library eventually with a mysterious actor and later decides award-winning book is about a 15-year- returned the book to general circulation, she must leave college and return old autistic child who investigates the but in the adult , where it will be to Europe. death of a neighbor’s dog. available to adult readers who want to see Source: AL Direct, Nov. 24, 2015; Journal of Source: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, Spring 2016, Sept. 2015, p. 146; Nov. 2015, pp. 140-41. it for themselves or “carry on discussions pp. 53-54. with their children or others.” , Kathryn S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, Gaiman, Neil Snow White and the July 2015, p. 93. The Sandman, Vol. 2: Seven Dwarfs Hernandez, Gilbert The Doll’s House P earson Education, Limited Palomar: DC Comics Removed from a Qatar school library The Heartbreak Soup Stories Challenged, but retained at Crafton Hills (2016) after a book based on Disney’s Fantagraphics Books College, a community college in Yucaipa, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” was restricted to students, under the age of Calif. (2015) despite a student’s request deemed to contain ”indecent” illustrations. eighteen, unless they have parental to remove the book because it was Officials from Qatar’s supreme education permission at the rio rancho, n. Mex. “objectionable.” The series tells the tale council intervened following a complaint high school library (2015) because it of the ageless, anthropomorphic from the father of a pupil at the Spanish was “too graphic” for a high school library personification of Dream that is known SEK international school, based in the shelf. Included in Time magazine’s Best by many names, including Morpheus. capital, Doha. It is not known which Comics of 2003 list, and in 2005 was Begun in January 1989, the series images caused offense, but the book one of Time’s 100 best graphic novels concluded in March 1996. cover shows a smiling Snow White being of all time. Source: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, held by the prince, who in the story source: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, Sept. 2015, pp. 161-62. revives her with a kiss after she eats a sept. 2015, p. 145. poisoned apple, English-language Green, John website Doha News reported. Herthel, Jessica, and Jazz Jennings Looking for Alaska S ource: Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, I Am Jazz Dutton Books Spring 2016, p. 41. Dial Books Challenged, but retained in the Canceled as a planned reading in the Lumberton Township, N.J. middle school Henson, Jim Mount Horeb, Wis. School District (2015) (2015) despite a parent questioning its For Every Child a Better World after the Florida-based Liberty Counsel “sexual content.” Awarded the 2006 Golden Books group threatened to sue. The children’s Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Challenged, but retained in the book is the story of a transgender child Young Adult Literature, this coming-of- Marshfield, Wis. elementary schools based on the real-life experience of Jazz age story traces the journey of Miles (2015), despite objections from a school Jennings. On July 15, 2015, the reality Halter, a misfit Florida teenager who board member and chairwoman of the television series featuring Jazz Jennings leaves the safety of home for a boarding Central Wisconsin Tea Party who thought premiered to positive reviews. school in Alabama and a chance to the book too graphic—namely, that its Source: Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, explore the “Great Perhaps.” illustrations of some children living in Spring 2016, pp. 35-36. S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, poverty and violence are inappropriate for Nov. 2015, pp. 163-64. kindergartners. The book, published in 1993 by Golden Press, is “written” by

4 Books Challenged or Banned, 2O15–2O16 Hopkins, Ellen Kean, Sam It shows rebellion towards teachers, and Glass The Disappearing Spoon: has graphic immoral areas.” Set at the Maa rg ret K. McEde l rry Books And Other Tales of Madness, conservative and aristocratic Welton removed at the standard Middle school Love, and the History of the Academy in the northeastern United in Bakersfield, Calif. (2015) along with World from the Periodic Table States in 1959, it tells the story of an the two other titles in the “Crank Trilogy” of the Elements English teacher who inspires his students after a parent complained about the sex, Lttleri , B own; Back Bay Books through his teaching of poetry. The 1989 violence, drugs, and alcohol in the book. Challenged at the Discovery Middle film starringR obin Williams received The book follows the life of a girl named School in Orlando, Fla. (2015) because critical acclaim and was a box office kristina and her battle with addiction to “parts of the book are dark, and (the success; it was also BAFTA’s best film methamphetamine. according to simon book has) some content that’s rather and best foreign film in France and Italy. and schuster’s website, the book is questionable for a 12- and 13-year-old The movie also received the Academy recommended for children who are at reader.” The author views the periodic Award for Best Original Screenplay. least 14 years old. The novel was a New table as one of the great achievements of S ource: Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, York Times , a Quills award humankind, “an anthropological marvel.” Spring 2016, pp. 33-34. nominee, and was awarded the Book The book is full of stories showing how Lahiri, Jhumpa sense Top 10, nYPl recommended each element affected the people who The Namesake for Teens, Psla Top Ten for Teens, discovered the elements, for either good Hougo ht n Mifflin or bad. The book was nominated by the Charlotte award, Ira Young adult R ecommended for removal by the ad-hoc Royal Society in the United Kingdom as Choices award, kentucky Bluegrass literature committee of the Coeur d’Alene, one of the top science books of 2010 award, sslI honor Book award, and Idaho, School District (2015) because it and named an “Top 5” science gateway readers award. contains “descriptions of sexual conduct source: Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, book of the year. that are too explicit for high school spring 2016, p. 31. S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, Nov. 2015, p. 140. seniors.” The novel examines being Hosseini, Khaled caught between two conflicting cultures The Kite Runner Kilodavis, Cheryl with highly distinct religious, social, and Bobulo ms ry My Princess Boy: ideological differences. A film adaptation S uspended, but later reinstated as A Mom’s Story about a Young of the novel was released in the United approved reading at the Buncombe Boy Who Loves to Dress Up States, Canada, United Kingdom, and County, N.C. schools (2015). The A lADDIn India in March 2006. The Indian-Bengali complainant, a self-described Challenged, but retained at the Hood American author won the 2000 Pulitzer “conservative government watchdog,” County Library in Granbury, Tex. (2015) Prize for Fiction and was awarded the cited state law requiring local boards of despite complaints that the book 2014 National Medal of Arts and education to include “character promotes “perversion” and the “gay Humanities at a White House ceremony. education” in the curriculum. She also lifestyle.” The Hood County Library S ource: Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, said schools must teach sex education Advisory Board voted to keep the book in Spring 2016, p. 33. from an abstinence-only perspective. the library. The controversy comes at the MacLaverty, Bernard The book is used in tenth-grade honors same time as the Hood County Clerk Cal English classes and parents can request refused to sign off on same-sex marriage W. W. Norton & Company an alternative reading assignment for the licenses. The book is based on the Challenged as required reading in the child. bestseller is author’s son who prefers to wear clothes Rumson-Fair Haven, N.J. high school set against a backdrop of tumultuous that some people consider feminine. (2015) because the novel is “too sexually events, from the fall of Afghanistan’s S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, explicit for high school teens.” The novel monarchy through the Soviet military July 2015, pp. 93-94; Sept. 2015, p. 160. has been on and off the required reading intervention, the exodus of refugees to Kleinbaum, N. H. list for juniors over recent years. An ad Pakistan and the United States, and the Dead Poet’s Society hoc committee of teachers, school board rise of the Taliban regime. A number of Baant m Books members, and a parent determined the adaptations were created following Challenged, but retained at the Jersey novel was age-appropriate for the publication, including several stage CUSD 100 in Jerseyville, Ill. (2015) district’s juniors and seniors. Published in performances and a graphic novel. The despite a complaint by a local pastor who 1983, the novel is about a young Irish film of the same name was nominated found the book “disturbing, very close to a Catholic man involved in the Irish for the Golden Globe Award for Best strong, mild pornography… To me that Republican Army who falls in love with Foreign Language Film in 2007. book represents a [disrespectful attitude the wife of a man murdered in an incident S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, July 2015, pp. 96-97. toward] parents and their judgments.

Books Challenged or Banned, 2O15–2O16 5 in which he was a getaway driver. The film adapted into a 1998 movie of the same Perritano, John of the same name was released in 1984 name starring Oprah Winfrey. A New York Amityville starring Helen Mirren. Times survey of writers and literary critics Rose n S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, ranked it the best work of American Challenged at the Wake County, N.C. Nov. 2015, pp. 142-43; Journal of Intellectual fiction from 1981 to 2006. schools (2015) because a parent charged Freedom and Privacy, Spring 2016, pp. 55-56. S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, the graphic novel “was talking about a Nov. 2015, p. 163; AL Direct, February 9, 2016 and Marillier, Juliet man who murders his family and shows a March 4, 2016. Daughter of the Forest man walking with his shotgun going to his Toor Bo ks O’Brien, Tim parents and his sister and brother.” The Challenged, but retained in the The Things They Carried book is listed at an interest level for Warrensburg, Mo. High School library Hougo ht n Mifflin Harcourt grades three through six, and a reading (2015) despite a rape scene in the book. Challenged in the Troup, Tex. School level for grades two through three. Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, The book is an historical fantasy novel District (2015) because the book is S ource: Spring 2016, p. 31. first published in 1999 and is loosely “vulgar,” “complete garbage trash,” and based on the legend of the Children of “filled with sexual content and profanity.” Pittman, Gayle E Lir and “The Six Swans” (a story that has The book is a collection of short stories This Day in June many versions, including one by the about a platoon of American soldiers Magination Press Brothers Grimm). It was a finalist for the in the Vietnam War. Published in 1990, Challenged, but retained at the Hood 2000 Aurealis Awards for Fantasy Novel the book has received multiple awards County Library in Granbury, Tex. (2015) and won the 2001 American Library such as France’s Prix du Meilleur Livre despite complaints that the book Association Alex Award. Etranger Award and the promotes “perversion” and the “gay S ource: Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, Heartland Prize, as well as being a finalist Spring 2016, p. 54. lifestyle.” The Hood County Library for the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Advisory Board voted to keep the book Critics Circle Award. Morrison, Toni in the library. The controversy comes at S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, the same time as the Hood County Clerk Beloved Nov. 2015, p. 145. Knopf refused to sign off on same-sex marriage

Challenged, but retained as an optional Pardi, Francesca, and Tullio F. Altan licenses. The book, about a pride parade, summer reading choice in the Satellite Little Egg (Piccolo uovo) focuses on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and Beach, Fla. High School Advanced La o St mpATELLO transgender history. Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, Placement classes (2015). A parent Banned by the Venice, Italy mayor along S ource: July 2015, pp. 93-94; Sept. 2015, p. 160. admitted not having read the entire book with 48 other children’s books from the when he addressed the committee in city’s preschool libraries. Most of the Satrapi, Marjane September, but wanted the book banned books—destined for the city’s 28 nursery Persepolis: because of what he called “porn content.” schools and kindergartens—never actually The Story of a Childhood Challenged on the Fairfax County, Va. got to the libraries and are still packed Poanthe n Books senior English reading list (2016) by a up in boxes in various municipal offices. Challenged, but retained at Crafton Hills parent claiming “the book includes After an outcry—from residents, authors, College, a community college in Yucaipa, scenes of violent sex, including a gang publishers, librarian associations, and Calif. (2015) despite a student’s request rape, and was too graphic and extreme even —he whittled to remove the book because it was for teenagers.” The controversy led to his list of banned books to just two. “objectionable.” The book was a New York legislation (House Bill 516) that calls for Pardi’s book, the tale of an unhatched Times Notable Book, a Time magazine the Virginia Department of Education to egg that sees happiness in various family “Best Comix of the Year,” a San Francisco create a policy that notifies parents of the configurations, won the prestigious Chronicle and Los Angeles Times content and then allows them to review Andersen Prize in 2012, Italy’s top nod bestseller, the winner of the 2004 Alex the materials. The novel is inspired by the for children’s literature, even as a popular Award, and named on the 2004 Best story of an African-American slave, Catholic magazine cited it as a book Books for Young Adults list. A film version Margaret Garner, who escaped slavery in to avoid. was nominated for Best Animated Kentucky in late January 1856 by fleeing S ource: New York Times, August 19, 2015, p. A4. Feature at the 80th Academy Awards to Ohio, a free state. It won the Pulitzer in 2007. Prize for Fiction in 1988, was a finalist for S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, the 1987 National Book Award, and was Sept. 2015, pp. 161-62.

6 Books Challenged or Banned, 2O15–2O16 Skloot, Rebecca district committee that is reviewing novels friends, Rose and Windy, during a summer The Immortal Life of taught in the schools. in Awago, a small beach town. The book Henrietta Lacks S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, won the 2015 Printz Honor, Caldecott Crown July 2015, pp. 94-95; AL Direct, June 3, 2015. Honor award, Eisner Award, and the Challenged as a summer reading 2014 Ignatz Award for Outstanding Stokstad, Marilyn assignment in the Knoxville, Tenn. high Graphic Novel. Art History: Eighteenth to school system (2015) because a parent S ource: Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, Twenty-First Century Art, claimed the nonfiction book “has too Spring 2016, pp. 32-33. Third much graphic information.” Henrietta Pr entICE Hall Texier, Ophélie Lacks was a poor black tobacco farmer Challenged, but retained at the Jean Has Two Moms whose cells—taken without her Williamson County, Tenn. schools (2015) (Jean a deux mamans) knowledge in 1951—became one of the despite concerns from citizens who said Fr ench and European Publications most important tools in medicine, vital for the book was “political and too Banned by the Venice, Italy mayor along developing the polio vaccine, cloning, provocative.” One citizen commented with 48 other children’s books from the gene mapping, in vitro fertilization, and that “It’s troubling to me that we can’t city’s preschool libraries. Most of the more. Winner of several awards, including get a history book that puts a positive books—destined for the city’s 28 nursery the 2010 Chicago Tribune Heartland look on America. Ronald Reagan and schools and kindergartens—never Prize for Nonfiction, the 2010 Wellcome Margaret Thatcher aren’t even actually got to the libraries and are still Trust Book Prize, the American mentioned.” The book is to be used in packed up in boxes in various municipal Association for the Advancement of the Art and the American Identity class, offices.A fter an outcry—from residents, Science’s Award for Excellence in a special course that will only be available authors, publishers, librarian associations, Science Writing, the 2011 to seniors who have already taken and even Amnesty International—he for Best Non-Fiction , and a Advanced Placement (AP) Art History whittled his list of banned books to Medical Journalists’ Association Open at Independence High School. The class just two. Book Award, the book was featured in had seven students enrolled. S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, more than 60 media outlets, including Sept. 2015, pp. 149-50. S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, New York Times, Oprah, NPR, and Nov. 2015, p. 164. Weekly. Twain, Mark [Samuel L. Clemens] S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, Summers, Courtney The Adventures of Nov. 2015, p. 144. Some Girls Are Huckleberry Finn S i t. Mart n’s Griffin Ba ant m; Bobbs-Merrill; Grosset; Harper; Steinbeck, John Holt; Houghton; Longman; Macmillan; NAL; Pulled from the freshmen Honors English Of Mice and Men Norton; Penguin; Pocket Books I summer reading list at West Ashley Ba ant m; Penguin; Viking R emoved from the Montgomery County, High School in Charleston, S.C. (2015) R ecommended to be pulled from Penn. school curriculum (2015) after a after a parent complained about the classroom instruction and made available group of students said the book’s use of novel’s dark and explicit content. The only on a voluntary, small-group basis the N-word made them uncomfortable book is about a high school senior who in ninth-grade English classes in Coeur and the students thought the school was is ostracized and bullied by her former d’Alene, Idaho (2015). Its use of not being inclusive. Since its publication friends after she reports an attempted profanity—“bastard,” for instance, and in 1884, the book has caused controversy rape by a popular boy. “God damn”—makes the book unsuitable. starting in 1885 when it was banned in S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, In addition to the profanity, the curriculum Sept. 2015, pp. 146-47. Concord, Mass. as “trash and suitable committee found the story of two migrant only for the slums.” ranch hands struggling during the Great Tamaki, Mariko, and Jillian Tamaki S ource: Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, Depression too “negative.” The 1937 This One Summer Spring 2016, pp. 34-35. novella is one of the best-known works Ftcoirs Se nd Vaughan, Brian of the Nobel Prize- and Pulitzer Prize- R emoved from one elementary school Y: The Last Man, Vol. 1 winning author and has been adapted library and restricted at three Florida high Vigoert often for stage and screen. On June 1, school libraries in Longwood (2015) in Challenged, but retained at Crafton Hills 2015, the school board voted 4 to 1 to response to a complaint from a parent College, a community college in Yucaipa, keep the novella as an option for English about the graphic novel’s language. It is Calif. (2015) despite a student’s request teachers to assign their classes, rather a coming-of-age story about two preteen to remove the book because it was than demote it to voluntary, small-group “objectionable.” The dystopian science discussion as recommended by a school fiction comic was nominated for the firstH ugo Award for Best Graphic

Books Challenged or Banned, 2O15–2O16 7 S tory. Vaughan won the 2005 Eisner works, including ’s Revolting Award for Best Writer and the 2008 Rhymes, Tom Robbins’ Even Cowgirls Get Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series. the Blues, and Tony Kushner’s Angels in In 2015, the Eisner Awards entered America—which has also been removed Vaughan into the Comic Book Hall from a textbook, reported The Guardian. of Fame. S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, Sept. 2015, pp. 145-46. Sept. 2015, pp. 161-62.

Winter, Jeanette Walls, Jeannette Nasreen’s Secret School: The Glass Castle: A Memoir A True Story from Afghanistan Sbcri ner B eACh Lane Books S uspended at the Ambridge, Pa. High Challenged in the Duval County, Fla. public School (2015) because the book is schools (2015) because a coalition of “racist and sexually explicit.” The parents believes the book is inappropriate challenged memoir is about growing up for promoting another religion that is not in poverty with a father who spent his Christianity and is too violent for young money on alcohol and a mother who children. Critics claim the book promotes became homeless. Published in 2005, “the Koran and praying to Muhammad.” the memoir spent a total of 261 weeks Duval County public school libraries have on the New York Times bestseller list and a banned books list of ten literary works, is now under development as a film by including Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes, Paramount. By late 2007, The Glass Tom Robbins’ Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, Castle had sold over 2.7 million copies, and Tony Kushner’s Angels in America— had been translated into 22 languages, which has also been removed from a and received the Christopher Award, the textbook, reported The Guardian. American Library Association’s Alex Challenged at the Eau Claire, Wis. schools Award (2006), and the Books for Better (2015) because the book contains an Living Award. Islamic prayer. The book is about the Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, S ource: Taliban taking control of an Afghan village Nov. 2015, pp. 143-44. and preventing girls from going to school. After Nasreen’s father is kidnapped and Winter, Jeanette presumed killed, her grandmother The Librarian of Basra: smuggles her each day to an underground A True Story from Iraq school where she can learn to read HMHo Bo ks for Young Readers and write. Challenged in the Duval County, Fla. S ource: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, public schools (2015) because a Sept. 2015, pp. 145-46; Journal of Intellectual coalition of parents believes the book is Freedom and Privacy, Spring 2016, p. 35. inappropriate for promoting another religion that is not Christianity and is too violent for young children. Critics claim the book promotes “the Koran and praying to Muhammad.” The true story is about a librarian who sneaks books out of a library during the U.S. bombings in Iraq. The librarian works with members of the community to keep the books safe until the war is over and a new library can be built. Duval County public school libraries have a banned books list of ten literary

8 Books Challenged or Banned, 2O15–2O16 The First Amendment guarantees that each of us has the right to express our views, including opinions about particular books. At the same time, the First Amendment also ensures that none of us has the right to control or limit another person’s ability to read or access information. Yet when individuals or groups file formal written requests demanding that libraries and schools remove specific books from the shelves, they are doing just that—attempting to restrict the rights of other individuals to access those books.

The rights and protections of the First Amendment extend to children and teens as well as adults. While parents have the right—and the responsibility—to guide their own children’s reading, that right does not extend to other Each day, all across the country, one people’s children. Similarly, each adult has the of our most basic freedoms—the right right to choose his or her own reading materials, to read—is in danger. In communities along with the responsibility to acknowledge and large and small, censorship attempts respect the right of others to do the same. threaten to undermine our freedom to When we speak up to protect the right to read, read. Without our constant support, we not only defend our individual right to free the First Amendment freedoms that expression, we demonstrate tolerance and respect we so often take for granted—the for opposing points of view. And when we take action to preserve our precious freedoms, we right to read, explore ideas, and become participants in the ongoing evolution of express ourselves freely—are at risk. our democratic society.

Books Challenged or Banned, 2O15–2O16 9 ACT NOW TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHT TO READ

HERE ARE THREE WAYS THAT YOU CAN GET INVOLVED: 1 Sat y Informed

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

10 Books Challenged or Banned, 2O15–2O16 2 CHALLENGE CENSORSHIP

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

Books Challenged or Banned, 2O15–2O16 11 3 SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES

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

14 Books Challenged or Banned, 2O15–2O16 support

banned books week 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).

Sponsors: Contributors: American Booksellers for Free Expression Association of Journalists and Authors American Library Association National Association of College Stores Association of American Publishers National Coalition Against Censorship The Association of American University Presses PEN America Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Project Censored Dramatists Legal Defense Fund Freedom to Read Foundation National Council of Teachers of English Endorsed by: People for the American Way in the