introduction leaves us in the dark. It blinds us to programs. Their wish to shield themselves and uncomfortable topics, and leaves us stumbling their family from ideas they find offensive or while navigating new worlds. It pulls a cloak inappropriate is understandable, but shielding over our eyes, under the guise of protecting us everyone from diverse or alternative views only from what some deem harmful or threatening. spreads distrust, fear, and ignorance. While we always support a reader’s right to choose for Censorship takes many forms, including themselves and their families what to read, that removing materials, destroying pages, hiding right does not extend to determining what other resources, requiring permission forms to access community members can read. content, and burning . Although the darkness of censorship affects are continually everyone, it tends to target “CHALLENGES” transforming to meet patron youth; the Top 11 Most needs and provide new are not just complaints Challenged Books of 2018 are platforms, programs, and all intended for an audience about books, but rather services to help make their of children or young adults. formal attempts to remove communities stronger. or restrict access to With that comes additional But there are places where resources. Challenges can be censorship attempts. Learn the light of learning cannot a written complaint or form more about challenges to be extinguished. Libraries, submitted to a library, or a materials and services beyond schools, and bookstores keep call to action on social books on page 7. the light on and the intellectual media. freedom flame burning—a warm In this Field Report, we hope to glow that invites passersby who seek shine a light on censorship in all its knowledge, pages, and perspectives. forms, because censorship dissipates when exposed to the daylight. Each challenge and In recent years, the American Library incident listed is sourced from public, verified Association’s Office for reports from the year 2018, including news (OIF)—which has been tracking reports articles, meeting minutes, and entries from the of attempts to remove library materials Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy and services in libraries and schools since (JIFP). the 1990s—has noticed a sharp spike in attempts to censor drag queen story These pages include success stories of those hours and LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, who shined a light on censorship, Bisexual, , Queer/ rather than ignored it. Some Questioning, Intersex, Asexual/ voiced opposition at local Ally) programming. LGBTQIA+ A “BAN” is a board meetings, while others continues to be one of the most removal of materials. donated replacement copies cited reasons for challenging Sometimes the ban is of censored titles. There are content and resources, from a decision made by a many ways to ignite action drag queen story hours to committee, and other times an and dispel censorship. An A Day in the Life of Marlon administrator or staff member easy way to start: visit your Bundo, a children’s removes books without library, find a comfortable about a boy bunny who lives following a library’s spot between the stacks, with Vice President ’s policy. and open up a challenged family and marries another boy work, immersing yourself in bunny. perspectives that differ from your own. A few other reasons for challenging books emerged in 2018. The Skippyjon Jones series, Keep the light on, and the intellectual freedom which follows a Siamese cat who sees himself flame burning. as a Chihuahua, was challenged for depicting stereotypes of Mexican culture. In an Idaho public library, a patron unhappy with books seen as attacking President hid them among the shelves. is again on the list of the most challenged books, with some claiming the book is “anti-cop.” The We thank speaker and author James LaRue, bestselling YA fiction title is about the aftermath the former director of the Office for Intellectual of a shooting of a young, unarmed black man Freedom, who compiled the entries for this by a white police officer. year’s Field Report. Many censors are motivated by their desire Learn more about banned and challenged books to protect their community. Their tactics at ala.org/bbooks. range from silently removing the materials they find offensive to leading boisterous public campaigns to ban books, services, or Books Banned or Challenged in 2018

Afanador, Ruven (Kansas) High School was library, and GoFundMe and Blume, Judy Sombra (2004) suspended for considering fundraisers raised Forever (1975) Removed after review by teaching this YA novel. thousands of dollars to replace A teacher at the East a public library director in Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 lost and damaged materials. Knox Elementary School Oregon, Sombra is a All the titles have been (Howard, Ohio) gave a fifth- of artistic photographs Backman, Fredrik retained. The activist was grader Judy Blume’s book composed largely of male Beartown (2017) charged with misdemeanor about a high school senior, nudes. The patron complaint This criminal mischief. which addresses (among stated, “I’m in favor of and School Library Journal- Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 other things) issues of teen artistic nudes, but perhaps recommended title focuses sexuality. After a verbal in an art appreciation class on a high stakes junior Bechdel, Alison parental complaint, the and not accessible to the hockey contest in rural Fun Home: A Family teacher was put on more than impressionable minds of Sweden. When a sports Tragicomic (2006) two weeks’ paid leave while children.” The director hero is accused of rape, At a public meeting, two the school investigated. The consulted reviews and what will the town do? parents expressed their teacher returned, agreeing circulation statistics (the book The book was assigned to a shock about sexually explicit that the book—which had never been checked out), tenth-grade honors English illustrations in this coming- was part of her private and learned through online class by a new teacher at of-age graphic novel. They collection—was inappropriate catalogs that only academic the McMichael High School asked that the book be for a fifth-grader. and research libraries owned (Rockingham County, removed from the Watchung Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 it. The director decided North Carolina). A parent, Hills (New Jersey) twelfth- that the book was a good concerned about the vulgar grade curriculum. After Browne, Anthony candidate for weeding, language and explicit scenes, a public hearing in which Willy the Champ (2008) according to the library’s contacted four churches to strong support was voiced for This children’s book is about usual criteria. protest what one pastor then the book, the school board a chimp who struggles with Source: 2018 Annual Report, told his congregation was voted to retain the title, sports, then accidentally State Library of Oregon “some of the most repulsive but only as one of several defeats a bully and becomes that you’ll ever be alternatives. a hero. A patron complained Alexie, Sherman exposed to.” Withdrawn. Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 to an Oregon public library The Absolutely True Diary of Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 that “Violence [was] used to a Part-Time Indian (2007) Benioff, David solve problems with bullies Retained, but restricted to Baldacchino, Christine City of Thieves (2008) for early readers. Violence extracurricular book club- Morris Micklewhite and the This New York Times celebrated.” Retained. use only, this popular YA Tangerine Dress (2014) bestseller was one of eight Source: 2018 Annual Report, State Library of novel was challenged by This was one of four books options randomly assigned Oregon parents who objected to its challenged by public petition to students in a pre- being required reading for in Orange City, Iowa’s International Baccalaureate Chbosky, Stephen ninth-graders at the Midland public library. The concern English class. A parent The Perks of Being a (Michigan) Public Schools. articulated by a coalition of objected to vulgar and Wallflower (1999) The concern was content conservative and evangelical sexually violent language At the Beaverton (Oregon) regarding alcohol, bullying, community members was that in this coming-of-age story, School District, a parent violence, sexual references, the library was distributing set in WWII Leningrad. challenged the book, deeming profanity, and slurs. The LGBTQIA+ materials to Lee County (Florida) School it a “trash novel,” with book did go through a review pre-K kids using tax dollars. District officials banned the characters that were bad process, and was allegedly They requested that the book, and vowed to “tighten role models for teenagers, read by all school board books be shelved separately, up the processes for selecting drug use, smoking, underage members. segregated from other library books for this kind of class.” sex, drinking, and attempts Source: JIFP Spring 2018 materials. One local religious Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 to be “sexual and arousing activist checked out the four in its graphic descriptions.” Right before the start of books, then burned them live Following its policies, a Banned Books Week, an on Facebook. Since then, over review committee found the English teacher at Waverly 200 books were donated to the title to be consistent with the

Field Report 2018: Banned & Challenged Books 1 district’s general education Gino, Alex the proposal. News reports reject any ban on George and goals, and recommended its George (2015) indicate that the school other books that provide retention, which was upheld Citing “sexual content,” planned to hold a meeting visibility and support for by the deputy superintendent. issues of bullying, rebelling with staff and parents to LGBTQIA+ individuals. : Beaverton School District Board against police, and refusing review the book, then decide OBOB executive committee documents, March 12, 2018. to take medications, George, what, if any, actions to take. and the Oregon Association Lily and Dunkin by Donna Source: “School district considering permission of School Librarians retained Cole, Brock Gephart, and by slip for book about transgender girl,” KATU, the book on the 2018-2019 The Facts Speak for Jazz Jennings and Jessica February 22, 2018. reading list. Themselves (1997) Herthel were challenged at Source: JIFP Spring 2018 The principal of Fort King the Andover (Kansas) Public The Oregon Battle of the Middle School in Ocala Library. The request was Books (OBOB) is a voluntary Green, John (Marion County, Florida) to remove the books from competition that encourages Looking for (2006) pulled this YA novel from the children’s students to read A parent of an honors the school library after area. After from a vetted student in Clinton, North parents complained about a review list of Carolina English II class its allegedly “pornographic” books complained about the alleged language. The parents also and pornography and vulgar protested to the state board of language of Green’s YA novel education. There is no record at a public board meeting of a formal challenge being of the school district. While initiated. According to the not asking for removal of the district, the book has been book, he did seek parental retained. notification of reading Source: “Principal pulls book from selections, and the ability Ocala middle School,” News 13 Florida, to opt-out. School officials January 24, 2018. followed their reconsideration process and the book was Gephart, Donna retained. Lily and Dunkin (2016) Source: “Assignment’s sexual content draws Citing “sexual content,” parent’s concern,” Sampson Independent, issues of bullying, rebelling February 6, 2018. against police, and refusing process, answer to take medications, Lily the library questions A parent of an eighth- and Dunkin, George by Alex decided to in a quiz-style grade student at Galileo Gino, and I Am Jazz by retain them all as event. Included on STEM Academy (Boise, Jazz Jennings and Jessica cataloged. When the decision the 2018 list was George, a Idaho) complained to school Herthel were challenged at was appealed by the parents, book about a transgender administrators about Green’s the Andover (Kansas) Public the library board voted to child. Four elementary YA novel. Sidestepping Library. The request asked retain the books. schools in the Cascade school district policy and precedent, to remove the books from Source: “Public library in Kansas asked to district chose to withdraw administrators withdrew the children’s area. After a move transgender children books,” Topeka from the competition. The the title from all middle review process, the library Capital Journal, January 16, 2019. Hermiston school district schools. According to a decided to retain them all as barred its elementary school spokesperson, “there’s cataloged. When the decision The Tigard-Tualatin School students from participating description of pornography, was appealed by the parents, District (King City, Oregon) in the statewide reading there’s smoking, and the book the library board voted to considered requiring a competition, allowing only ends with a kind of question retain the books. parental permission slip the district-level competition about a possible suicide. Even Source: “Public library in Kansas asked to before allowing elementary that did not include George. the author says it’s really move transgender children books,” Topeka school-aged students to read Bend and Tigard-Tualatin intended for high school Capital Journal, January 16, 2019. Gino’s fictional story of a school districts also discussed students.” Withdrawn. 10-year-old transgender girl participating in OBOB Source: “Meridian School District Pulls Looking whom the world sees as a with the full reading list. for Alaska From Middle School Libraries,” boy named George. However, Over 2,000 signatures were Boise Weekly, February 28, 2018. some parents objected to collected on a petition to

2 American Library Association Hale, Kathleen title was retained. journalists of the award- other library materials. Nothing Bad Is Going to Source: 2018 Annual Report, State Library of winning school newspaper One local religious activist Happen (2016) Oregon questioned the decision in checked out the four books, This YA comic mystery was an editorial, but pointed to then burned them live on challenged by a patron in Jennings, Jazz and Jessica undertones of homoeroticism Facebook. Since then, over a Michigan public library Herthel in the book. The articles 200 books were donated to whose 13-year-old daughter I Am Jazz (2014) were censored from the the library, and GoFundMe was disturbed by the Citing “sexual content,” Eagle Nation Online, their and Facebook fundraisers language and sex described issues of bullying, rebelling journalism advisor was raised thousands of dollars in the book. Retained. against police, and refusing to fired, and the paper was no to replace lost and damaged Source: Clinton-Macomb Public Library Board take medications, I Am Jazz, longer permitted to publish materials. All the titles have documents, February 21, 2018. Lily and Dunkin by Donna editorials. After the incident been retained. The activist Gephart, and George by was taken up by several news was charged with criminal Hinodeya, Sankichi Alex Gino were sources, including misdemeanor mischief. Splatoon 2 (2017) challenged the New York Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 A parent objected to this at the Times, the Japanese-language graphic school Lee, Harper novel in an Oregon school, To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) believing that it promoted A parent requested that the bullying. The patron novel be removed from the offered to preview books ninth-grade curriculum at in Japanese to determine Monona Grove (Wisconsin) their appropriateness for High School. The parent, the school. Four Japanese who had two children in the language teachers did not district, complained about the share the parent’s concerns, book’s use of the N-word, the which the librarian portrayal of Atticus Finch as communicated to the parent. a white savior, the absence A formal challenge process of other works representing was initiated. The status people of color, and the deep of the graphic novel is not racial divide in a student known. body that is 83% white. Source: 2018 Annual Report, Andover changed Following a review process, State Library of Oregon (Kansas) the policy. the district decided to Public Library A Separate retain the title, stating, “The Jenkins, Steve, Derek Walter, The request was Peace was not restored committee recommended Caprice Crane to remove the books from to the curriculum. MGHS English teachers The True Adventures of the children’s area. After a Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 carefully consider [the book’s] Esther the Wonder Pig (2018) review process, the library place in the curriculum, the Esther was an alleged mini- decided to retain them all as Lang, Suzanne context in which it’s taught, pig who eventually topped cataloged. When the decision Families, Families, Families! other equivalent options or 650 pounds. Her “two dads” was appealed by the parents, (2015) other ways to use the book decided to move from their the library board voted to This was one of four books that might include using [it] small apartment to a farm, retain the books. challenged by public as a choice rather than as a now an animal rescue Source: “Public library in Kansas asked to petition in Orange City, required text.” sanctuary. The picture book move transgender children books,” Topeka Iowa’s public library. The Source: “Parents Seek to Remove “To Kill a was originally rejected by Capital Journal, January 16, 2019. concern articulated by a Mockingbird” from Monona Grove Curriculum, a combined elementary coalition of conservative Citing Racial Slurs,” Madison365, January school and public library in Knowles, John and evangelical community 18, 2018. Oregon as “inappropriate.” A Separate Peace (1959) members was that the library After school administrators Administrators of the was distributing LGBTQIA+ Citing the use of racial reviewed the library’s Prosper (Texas) High School materials to pre-K kids using slurs in the books, Duluth, collection development removed the book from the tax dollars. They requested Minnesota school district policy and a Request for tenth-grade curriculum that the books be shelved administrators decided to Reconsideration form, the for unclear reasons. Staff separately, segregated from remove Lee’s novel and

Field Report 2018: Banned & Challenged Books 3 Adventures of Huckleberry issues of female sexuality, out to a representative of the classrooms on the basis of Finn from the curriculum power, and violence, it has no public library. Following language and sexuality. The “to protect the dignity of our pictures. The decision is being this conversation, the library student’s mother asked, “Is students” and not require appealed by publisher Gray decided to remove the title, it appropriate for those kinds them to read books that Wolf Press. stating that “hate propaganda of details for that kind of marginalize them. The titles Source: JIFP Spring 2019 … is inappropriate in a language, for that level of remain in the school library, publicly-funded facility.” sexuality in it to be taught and can still be optional McNabb, Chris Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 to minors in a public school reading for students. Gun: A Visual History (2007) setting? My daughter could not Source: JIFP Spring 2018 A parent complained to an Myers, Walter Dean legally walk into a movie with Oregon school teacher about Monster (1999) a glimpse of what is in this Levithan, David this adult, but largely pictorial, This New York Times book.” As of this writing, this Two Boys Kissing (2013) book about the history of bestselling novel about an collection of vignettes from the This was one of four books guns. After review, incarcerated teen Vietnam War remains on a list challenged by public petition library staff awaiting of approved books for a senior in Orange City, Iowa’s decided to trial was class, pending a review. public library. The concern remove Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 articulated by a coalition of the conservative and evangelical Peck, Richard community members The Best Man (2016) was that the library was Avid Bookshop owner distributing LGBTQIA+ Janet Geddis shut down the materials to pre-K kids using annual book fair it holds at tax dollars. They requested Athens (Georgia) Academy that the books be shelved after a school administrator separately, segregated from told booksellers to hide other library materials. a book that features gay One local religious activist characters. Administrators checked out the four books, told Avid staff to remove then burned them live on The Best Man by Newbery Facebook. Since then, over book Medalist Richard Peck 200 books were donated to from from display after “several the library, and GoFundMe the only parents raised concerns and Facebook fundraisers elementary challenged over a book that contained raised thousands of dollars school in the for “language, situations they were not yet to replace lost and damaged district that had it. It violence, and sexual prepared to discuss with materials. All the titles have was retained for upper-level overtures” and deemed their young children.” Later, been retained. The activist school libraries. inappropriate for eighth- the school requested that all was charged with criminal Source: 2018 Annual Report, State Library of and ninth-graders at Gates of Avid’s books be reviewed misdemeanor mischief. Oregon Middle School (Scituate, by the administration for Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 Massachusetts). After objectionable content, and Miller, Frank meeting with parents, school that books designated Machado, Carmen Maria Holy Terror (2011) administrators decided by the administration as Her Body and Other Parties This graphic novel by comic to remove it from the objectionable be removed (2017) book artist Frank Miller curriculum. Despite strong as well. Afterwards, the Author Machado reported concerns an Islamic terrorist. protest at a public meeting, head of the school sent out on that the Missouri Muslims in Plano, Texas the ban remained in effect. an apology for the way the Department of Corrections referred the book to the Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 event was handled, but did denied an incarcerated woman Dallas/Fort Worth chapter not apologize for the decision access to this collection of the Council on American O’Brien, Tim to remove books. Avid of short stories because it Islamic Relations (CAIR- The Things They Carried announced that for a period “contains inappropriate sexual DFW), the nation’s largest (2009) 10% of the book sales from its behaviors, sexually explicit Muslim civil rights and A student at Bingham children’s, middle grade, and materials & pictures.” While advocacy organization. The High School (Jordan, Utah) young adult sections would the book frankly explores CAIR-DFW director reached protested the book’s use in be donated to the Athens

4 American Library Association LGBTQ Youth Group. shelved separately, segregated a stop to that.” Both books Tamaki, Jillian and Mariko Source: JIFP Spring 2018 from other library materials. deal with the issue of police This One Summer (2014) One local religious activist brutality. Following a request The graphic novel was Pessin-Whedbee, Brook checked out the four books, for reconsideration process, challenged in an Oregon Who Are You? The Kid’s then burned them live on the school decided to retain public library by a patron Guide to Gender Identity Facebook. Since then, over both titles on the list. who objected to language (2016) 200 books were donated to Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 (“slut”) and mention of This children’s picture the library, and GoFundMe condoms in the dialogue. book on gender identity and Facebook fundraisers Smith, Andrew Retained. was challenged by a parent raised thousands of dollars Stick (2011) Source: 2018 Annual Report, at the Marathon County to replace lost and damaged This YA novel centers on two State Library of Oregon (Wisconsin) Public Library, materials. All the titles have teen brothers, one gay, one who sought to have the book been retained. The activist straight, living in an abusive Telgemeier, Raina reclassified and moved from was charged with home. A parent Drama (2012) the children’s room. After criminal protested to As reported in a letter reading and discussing the the to the editor of the local book in accordance with newspaper, the graphic its policies, the library novel was withdrawn from determined that the title was the Cedarburg (Wisconsin) correctly cataloged. School District after “a Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 couple of parents and four committee members” Petro-Roy, Jen reviewed the book, and P.S. I Miss You (2017) recommended its removal. After a patron gave a negative Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 review of this book on the Big Rapids (Michigan) Thomas, Angie Community Library online The Hate U Give (2017) catalog and stated it should This award-winning, be removed or red-flagged bestselling YA fiction title “before an unsuspecting about the shooting of a patron reads this book,” she young, unarmed black man submitted a reconsideration by a white police officer was principal request to the library board. challenged at a Springfield, of a Beaverton Following library policy, the Missouri middle school. misdemeanor (Oregon) middle book was retained and the The original complaint was mischief. school about the book’s patron was notified. about a lack of specificity Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 “vulgar, offensive and just in permission slips, as well Source: Big Rapids Community Library Board overall disgusting” content, as language and sexual documents, May 8, 2018. Reynolds, Jason and Brendan which included discussions situations. The school district Kiely of masturbation and gay sex. Pitman, Gayle pulled the book to review it, (2015) A district reconsideration This Day in June (2014) a new permission slip was The Fraternal Order of Police panel consisting of teachers, This book about a gay sent out, further complaints chapter in the South Carolina community members, a pride parade was one of were made, and the book was town of Mount Pleasant librarian, and an administrator four books challenged by pulled again. Its final status is sought to have All American recommended the book’s public petition in Orange unknown. Boys removed from the retention in school libraries City, Iowa’s public library. Wando High School’s list of and classrooms. However, the Source: “Springfield school district to The concern articulated by optional reading assignments district’s assistant principal, review novel after parents complain,” KY3, a coalition of conservative for incoming high school claiming that the panel didn’t February 1, 2018. and evangelical community freshmen, along with The know the book was in middle members was that the library The Fraternal Order of Police Hate U Give by Angie schools, directed its removal was distributing LGBTQIA+ chapter in the South Carolina Thomas. The FOP chapter from all but eleventh and materials to pre-K kids using town of Mount Pleasant said the books are “almost twelfth grades. tax dollars. The coalition an indoctrination of distrust sought to have The Hate U Give requested that the books be of police and we’ve got to put Source: JIFP Spring 2018 removed from the Wando High

Field Report 2018: Banned & Challenged Books 5 School’s list of optional reading a lifestyle the Bible called at that particular meeting. the donation be accepted, assignments for incoming sinful. After a public Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 after the director’s decision high school freshmen, along presentation to the library’s was reported in national with All American Boys by advisory board, the board Wiesel, Elie news media. and Brendan decided to retain the title, Night (1956) Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 Kiely. The FOP chapter said citing the Library Bill of Like many school districts, the books are “almost an Rights and the Freedom to Conejo Valley (California) “Books attacking our indoctrination of distrust of Read statement. Unified School District president” police and we’ve got to put Source: Riter C. Hulsey Public Library Board allows parents to opt-out their An anonymous submission a stop to that.” Both books documents, June 13, 2018. children from assigned books to the Coeur D’Alene (Idaho) deal with the issue of police their parents object to. Unlike Public Library’s suggestion brutality. Following a request Following a public challenge other districts, Conejo Valley box stated, “I noticed a large for reconsideration process, to all LGBTQIA+ materials, has also “red-flagged” content of books attacking the school decided to retain this parody of the labeled as “mature.” As our president. And I am both titles on the list. picture book a result, so many going to continue hiding Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 about Vice parents these books in the most President opted- obscure places I can find to Twain, Mark Mike out of keep this propaganda out of Adventures of Huckleberry the hands of young minds. Finn (1884) Your liberal angst gives me Citing the use of racial great pleasure.” On its public slurs in the books, Duluth, bulletin board, the library Minnesota school district invited the patron to provide administrators decided to new titles that they would remove Twain’s book and like to see, adding, “We are To Kill a Mockingbird from sorry you feel the need to the curriculum “to protect hide books you don’t agree the dignity of our students” with since that takes up and not require them to read valuable time to reorder and books that marginalize them. replace lost titles.” The titles remain in the Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 school library, and are still optional reading for students. Pence’s Campus library book Source: JIFP Spring 2018 family Wiesel’s A Carnegie Mellon rabbit was Holocaust University (Pittsburgh, Twiss, Jill challenged at memoir that, Pennsylvania) Jewish student A Day in the Life of Marlon the Orange City (Iowa) according to some reports, found swastikas and anti- Bundo (2018) Public Library by members a teacher could not teach the Semitic comments scribbled This parody of a children’s of the community, who book, though Night officially in a campus library book. book about Vice President objected to the book’s scene remains in the curriculum. One page had the words “Jews have no business Mike Pence’s rabbit (Marlon about two male bunnies Source: JIFP Spring 2018 Bundo’s A Day in the Life falling in love. They objected at CMU!,” and below it in of the Vice President) was to the book on the grounds Woodward, Bob different handwriting, “you challenged by a patron at that it indoctrinated children Fear: Trump in the White are right :)” The book that the public library of Terrell, and pushed an agenda House (2018) was vandalized addresses Texas. She had been reading the community did not A Berkeley Springs (West ways in which Judaism and the book to her 8-year-old agree with. But others in Virginia) public library the LGBTQIA+ community granddaughter, but stopped the community disagreed. director declined to accept intersect through theater, when they got to the part The board heard public a donation of a renowned according to Forward. about two male bunnies discussion at one meeting journalist’s bestselling “‘Jews Have No Business At CMU!’ Found In getting married to each and then chose to retain the portrait of the Trump Library Book At Carnegie Mellon,” Forward, other. The patron objected on title at a subsequent meeting, administration, based on the December 2, 2018. religious grounds, believing angering some community belief that “we have other the book encouraged her members by their decision Trump books.” The board granddaughter to accept not to allow public testimony stepped in and directed that

6 American Library Association Beyond Books The following are 2018 public challenges to library or school services and resources that aren’t books. Films Tightrope (1984) Citing concerns about sexism, nudity, and voyeurism, a Eyes Wide Shut (1999) patron challenged this thriller about a serial murderer of Fifty Shades of Grey (2015) prostitutes. Clint Eastwood plays the detective. The Oregon Fifty Shades Darker (2017) public library retained the title. Fifty Shades Freed (2018) Jerusalem (2015) Source: 2018 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon Staff at the Berkeley (Michigan) Public Library noticed that DVDs of the Fifty Shades series (and, as further investigation Newspapers showed, Eyes Wide Shut and the documentary Jerusalem) were missing. Some books were apparently deliberately Prison Legal News misshelved. The library purchased additional The Human Rights Defense Center (HRDC) filed copies, and posted a sign stating, “The a lawsuit against the Illinois Department of Berkley Public Library is against Corrections that alleges constitutional censorship. Someone didn’t want violations related to censorship of you to check these items out. They HRDC’s publications mailed to people deliberately hid all of these items so who are incarcerated in Illinois you wouldn’t find them. This is not prisons. Prison officials sometimes how libraries work.” designate “security” as a concern and sometimes do not indicate Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 why the publication is censored. Founding Fathers: The Men Who According to the plaintiffs’ Shaped Our Nation and Changed lawyer, it is unclear why the the World (2000) articles, which typically report After checking out two videos on recent court judgments, are a on early US leaders, a patron problem. expressed concern that the Source: “Publisher Files Censorship Suit Against Illinois DVDs didn’t respect or show the Dept. Of Corrections,” CBS , February 13, 2018. spiritual beliefs of the founding fathers, and instead discussed “their Programs moral indiscretions or sexual lives.” In accordance with the Oregon public library’s & Meeting Reconsideration Policy, the director reviewed Rooms both videos, their usage, their availability in other libraries, and the featured speakers. She found the DVDs Local LGBTQ support group Rainbow Mobile hosted a drag available in many public libraries and the speakers were queen story hour at the Mobile (Alabama) Public Library. considered reputable. The director informed the patron in Wade Brasfield, in his drag persona of “Ms. Khloe Kash,” writing that the DVDs would be retained, and that he had 14 read two books for the young crowd: The Rainbow Fish and days to appeal to the library board. He did not appeal. Stella has a Family, which is about a girl with two dads. There were more supporters than opponents at the . Source: 2018 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon Demonstrators in favor of the reading event carried signs Layer Cake (2004) with slogans like “I’m going to tolerate the heck out of you,” An Oregon public library patron challenged this crime film while critics carried placards with messages including “your starring Daniel Craig as a cocaine dealer trying to get out of lifestyle isn’t for my children.” The event was held, and no the business. The objections to the film included gratuitous incidents or arrests occurred. sex, profanity, violence, and drug use. The library retained Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 the DVD in its collection. A pastor interrupted the Loussac Library (Anchorage, Source: 2018 Annual Report, State Library of Oregon Alaska) drag queen story hour to “tell the kids the truth, there’s no such thing as .” Parents and children responded by singing “The Wheels on the Bus” until he left. Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018

Field Report 2018: Banned & Challenged Books 7 Students from Cesar a private location. queen story hour at the library board meeting, Chavez Elementary Source: “Some disapprove of “diverse” Evansville (Indiana) featuring about 45 minutes School performed at the event,” WCIA.com, September 11, 2018. Vanderburgh Public of public testimony both for La Quinta (California) Library met with criticism and against drag queen and library in a celebration of Justice Makes a Difference: and support. One city LGBTQIA+ programming Mexican Independence Day. The Story of Miss Freedom councilperson told the press, issues. According to the teacher who Fighter, Esquire by Artika “I consider that to be very Source: “Feedback from ‘drag queen’ organized the presentation, Tiner was featured in a confusing for [kids] and event prompts Wichita library to consider students were required to program at the O’Fallon there’s other ways for the programming policy,” KWCH12, December omit an explanation of the (Illinois) Public Library for LGBT community to educate 17, 2018. historical context as well as children age 5 and older. people about diversity.” A the use of Mexican flags. The The story: A young girl social studies high school State Sen. Tom Buford, privately-managed public named Justice talks with her teacher said, “I think it’ll R-Nicholasville (Kentucky), library received a request grandmother and help kids that are protested the use of public from city officials that the learns about questioning, library meeting rooms at library change the name of historic I think five different public libraries the event from “Mexican black it’ll help for “Teacher Talks” forums Independence Day” to a more and kids held by his Democratic inclusive title celebrating all civil that challenger (Carolyn Dupont), “Hispanic culture.” Riverside and he tried to pressure County announced its intent the libraries’ directors to investigate the incident. into canceling the events. Buford called the forums Source: “Third party will investigate alleged censorship of Mexican heritage at La Quinta “unethical,” and took them library,” Desert Sun, November 6, 2018. as partisan endorsements of his opponent. Despite being After the Clearview Library assured that the libraries District (Windsor, Colorado) were simply providing public announced a drag queen meeting , available to story hour, allegations were all, Buford announced that made that the performer’s need he would support limits on social media postings rights to the taxing authority of local revealed his drug use and leaders. work on library boards by requiring participation in the website A school acceptance, their members to either be PornHub.com. The program board member to practice their elected or appointed by an proceeded in January of 2019, who did not attend empathy muscles.” elected official, such as the garnering over 100 protesters the program nonetheless During the divisive time in county judge-executive. The and counter-protesters. criticized it at a City Council the community, a library meetings proceeded. Source: “Planned Windsor Drag Queen Story meeting, saying it “provided board member was not Source: “Libraries say Kentucky senator tried Hour sparks controversy,” Greeley Tribune, a platform for social reappointed to the library to pressure them into canceling opponent’s December 14, 2018. indoctrination” and that the board because she supported forums,” Lexington Herald Leader, October children were being “set up.” the library’s inclusive 19, 2018. Plans to hold a drag queen “It was totally inappropriate programming. story hour at the Danville for two reasons: the venue, The mayor of Lafayette, Source: “Drag queen story time stirs debate in Louisiana, attempted to (Illinois) Public Library were the intended audience,” he Evansville,” TriStateHomepage.com, December cancel a library-planned cancelled by the director said at the meeting. “The 17, 2018. after public complaints. She venue was the O’Fallon drag queen story hour at the gave two reasons: a perceived Public Library, a taxpayer- A program designed to public library. Local news lack of interest in the event funded facility, which should promote was hosted reported that the majority (although no RSVPs were cater to an entire community, by local drag queens who of speakers at a Lafayette required) and “a large not just some factions within read to a crowd consisting City-Parish Council meeting quantity of phone calls” that it,” he added. of about 200 adults, and a who spoke about drag queen were negative about the event. story hour were in support Source: JIFP Spring 2018 few children at the Wichita The organizers indicated that (Kansas) Public Library. of the event. Twice the event they would hold the event in Announcement of a drag Backlash prompted a public was moved to accommodate

8 American Library Association larger crowds and because recruit people and in some had been providing drag comments), Rutgers disinvited of security concerns. Two cases indoctrinate them to queen story hours since 2017, her from a scheduled talk at religious organizations, false truths and practices,” and originally they were very the university on “Radicalism Warriors for Christ and the pastor said. In the words popular. At the end of 2018, on College Campuses,” which Special Forces of Liberty, of a parent of a student at the one city official objected to focused on free speech on filed a lawsuit in an attempt school, “I am concerned that, the drag queen story hour, college campuses. to stop drag queen story on the surface, it appears as as did the California chapter Source: “Rutgers University Cancels hour. The judge eventually though Worcester County of socially conservative Appearance of Guest … Which Was dismissed the lawsuit. The Schools caved to a religious MassResistance. While About Free Speech on Campus,” mediaite. event is still postponed. organization.” general attendance is falling, com, October 12, 2018. Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 Source: “Yoga objections get mindfulness the programs continue. The Broome County (New program pulled,” Bayside Gazette, September Source: “Critics want Huntington Woods After a group filed a lawsuit 20, 2018. Library to end Drag Queen Story York) Public Library to stop drag queen story Time,” Detroit Free Press, announced a drag queen hours at the Lafayette, December 16, 2018. story hour. On Facebook Louisiana public library, a and over the phone, people group reserved a meeting weighed in. The program was room at the public called “sick and sad,” as well library, intending to hold as “a fantastic event.” The a drag queen story hour. program was retained. Because of the lawsuit, Source: “Broome County Public Library ‘Drag the director canceled the Queen Story time’ stirs controversy,” WENY room reservation, citing an News, January 9, 2018. agreement that the library would require those reserving A drag queen story hour at meeting room space to Olean (New York) Public promise they would not do Library sparked some protests, drag queen story hours while including threats to burn down the lawsuit was pending the library. But hundreds of before the court. After the people showed up to attend American Civil Liberties and support the event. Union intervened, the city Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 agreed to withdraw the After Organizers of a Banned requirement and allow the The the Saint Books Week Symposium meeting to take place. Worcester Paul (Minnesota) at the Mount Saint Mary Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 (Massachusetts) Public Public Library announced College (Newburgh, New Library hosted a drag queen their hosting of three drag York) disinvited its scheduled Mindfulness Moments, story hour. A Facebook recap queen story hours and a speaker, author Jay Asher, a program in use for a by the library garnered some Pride celebration, there was following allegations against year at the Buckingham 1,700 comments and 1,600 some pushback on Twitter him of sexual harassment. (Maryland) Middle School, reposts. The library stood by and in comments to library They also cited reports of his was withdrawn and replaced the program. “The trolls are ... staff. The programs were departure from the Society of after a local pastor called the not going to get us to shut up,” held nonetheless. Children’s Book Writers and pre-taped videos “unbiblical.” said one of the organizers of Source: “Despite the squawking, the St. Paul Illustrators. Asher, who was The program incorporated the event. “If you don’t like Library’s Drag Story Hour must go on,” City also scheduled to speak about breathing exercises, calming an event, you just don’t go to Pages, June 8, 2018. suicide at the college, denies techniques, and mindful it—that’s the reality of the the sexual harassment charge movements to promote social situation.” Lisa Daftari, an award-winning and admitted to consensual and emotional growth. It had investigative journalist who Source: “Worcester comes to library’s defense affairs. He also claims that been funded by a grant, and after Drag Queen Storytime post draws a graduated from Rutgers he left the author’s group featured a local children’s hateful mob,” Worcester Magazine, December University (New Jersey), is a voluntarily. yoga instructor and a licensed 18, 2018. frequent guest on Fox News. clinical therapist. The yoga After a claim about a quote Source: “Jay Asher Uninvited from MSMC connection was the problem. Huntington Woods that was attributed to her After Sexual Harassment Accusations,” Mount “Yoga seeks to draw and (Michigan) Public Library (but altered from her actual Messenger, February 26, 2018. Field Report 2018: Banned & Challenged Books 9 The New York-based In a letter to the editor, a queen story time at the being used to support the Catholic League for Civil Charleston resident called Putnam County (Tennessee) program. Others said that and Religious Rights on the family members of Library. The library received the title “Celebrate Pride!” objected to the Multnomah law enforcement officers both criticism and support suggested that the library County (Oregon) Library’s to protest author Angie for allowing this use of the was hosting a sex party, hosting of a children’s hour Thomas’s appearance at the public meeting rooms, but it and it was inappropriate to with drag queens who College of Charleston (South proceeded. bring sexuality into a public dress as flamboyant nuns, Carolina). Her book, The Hate Source: “Story hour causes controversy,” space and “force it on young the Sisters of Perpetual U Give, which has themes of Herald-Citizen, December 10 2018. children.” The program was Indulgence. A Catholic racism and police brutality, held. League spokesperson called is featured as a campus-wide Several people gathered Source: JIFP Spring 2019 the program “disrespectful reading choice for incoming outside the Houston (Texas) to Catholicism,” and warned freshmen, but those who Public Library to protest its After the announcement that the drag queen Sisters object to the book drag queen story of a drag queen story hour, “have set their sights on little and event hour event. the Beloit (Wisconsin) kids.” A library spokesperson say it is Protesters Public Library got a lot of stated, “The library will “heavy- believed public feedback. The drag weigh and reflect on the duty the queen story hour is part feedback and work to ensure of the “E Pluribus Unum that the library remains open Series,” which the library and inclusive to all.” said sometimes presents Source: “Multnomah County Library children’s controversial topics and show criticized,” Catholic Sentinel, November challenges standard thoughts 8, 2018. and ideas. In a statement, the library wrote, “We believe Derrick Jensen of the group everyone in our community Deep Green Resistance shares an appreciation for rented a public meeting openness, acceptance and room for a talk at the Eugene the opportunity to educate (Oregon) Public Library. their children about people Although his talk was about who are different from them. his current and forthcoming We also know that values books on environmental program differ, and are grateful to issues, Jensen has also was have received a variety of made comments some found indoctrination a way to comments from multiple offensive about people who with dire “groom children to perspectives.” are transgender. A group consequences.” be acquainted with these Source: “Drag Queen Storytime prompts called United Front: Families issues.” A participating drag community feedback, Beloit Public Library Resisting and Organizing Source: “Charleston-area police protest ‘The queen described the event as Hate U Give’ school assignment,” The Post and says,” Channel 3000, June 6, 2018. Nonviolently Together a way of spreading joy and Courier, July 3, 2018. organized a protest against love. The event also featured Amid threats and Jensen, whom they say Local group Equality a musical number, a photo controversy, Shorewood promotes bigotry against Clarksville reserved space in booth, and various activities (Wisconsin) School transgender people. United the Clarksville-Montgomery for families. The event went District officials cancelled Front claimed its supporters (Tennessee) County Public on as planned. performances of To Kill a accounted for 90-100 of the Library to offer a story time. Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 Mockingbird. The school 150 attendees. One protester On occasion, the group had district stated that it “should was arrested. featured drag performers. The Harris County (Texas) have done more outreach to Source: “Controversial Speaker Sparks Despite public controversy, Public Library hosted its first dialogue about the sensitivity Outcry,” Eugene Weekly, March 3, 2018. the meeting was held. Pride program, aimed at ages of this performance with 12-18. Although a majority of the Shorewood and greater Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 social media comments and Milwaukee community.” A week later, the district The Upper Cumberland phone calls were positive, announced its plans to Pride group booked a drag some people were angry that their tax dollars were resume the performance,

10 American Library Association as well as schedule a were retained. men … It means conservation responded to comments community talkback after Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 and betterment not merely about controversial subjects: the play and a community of our national resources but “Generally, as a library we conversation on race. An art exhibit featuring also of our racial heritage try to avoid those kinds of Accusations of racism and photographs of seven public and of opportunity to the things.” threats to protest the play train riders was approved, lowliest.” In 2017, students Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 were communicated to then canceled, by the Queens submitted an 1,800-signature district officials, and hours Public Library (New York). petition to have the mural Students of the Mary before the curtain was to Library officials cited their removed. In 2018, the words Baldwin University open, the superintendent concern for the privacy of the “racial heritage” were (Staunton, Virginia) cancelled the performance people in the photographs, splashed with red paint, and complained that an art during a live press who had not given an index card was left stating, exhibit about monuments conference, citing the “social permission. The conflict “Which art do you choose to to Confederate heroes was and emotional welfare of the between free conserve now?” racist. The two artists are students.” expression The mural white people who grew up Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 and the remains, in the South. They said right to and the that the exhibit reflects their awareness that these Displays & monuments—glorified by Artwork some—are deeply hurtful A board member of the to others and contribute to Aurora (Illinois) Public distortions of US history. The Library directed staff exhibit was removed. to remove a poem titled Source: “Is Artistic Freedom a Lost Cause?,” “Hijab Means Jihad” from Inside Higher Ed, November 12, 2018. a photo-poems exhibit after the poem drew criticism that it encouraged violence against Muslim women. Over a background of a card Confederate flag, the poem has begins “Every kid should privacy been be like my kid / And snatch archived. a hijab.” Members of the has Source: “Controversial public quickly denounced generally been mural in Knight Library vandalized, the poem as Islamophobic decided in favor of free expression, providing library staff say,” Daily Emerald, August 25, on social media. The poet, 2018. George Miller, said the piece that the images are not used commercially, and that the was satirical, according to the Alleging various public subject’s “expectation of library. complaints, the director privacy” was not violated. Source: JIFP Spring 2018 of the Washington County Source: “‘Faces of the 7 Train’ Exhibit Abruptly (Utah) public library directed Three local pastors in Canceled by Queens Library Over Privacy staff to take down a sign Concerns, Artist Cries Foul,” Flushing Post, Rumford, Maine protested over a display of LGBTQIA+ December 11, 2018. LGBTQIA+ books in the titles. The following year Banned Books Week display A controversial mural at the (2018), the display focused at the Rumford Public Knight Library (Eugene, on a more general diversity Library. They co-signed a Oregon) was vandalized. theme. When staff wore letter to the library board, Created in 1937 and buttons stating “Ask Me which held a public meeting titled “The Mission of the about LGBTQ Reads,” the featuring testimony from the University,” the mural stated, director required them to pastors, and at least one gay “The university process is a remove the buttons. While member of the community. social process that does not no books or exhibits were The titles, and the display, stop short of transforming removed, the director

Field Report 2018: Banned & Challenged Books 11 Online Services a gay and lesbian periodical. Photographs of nude men accompanied some articles. The parent, an IT professional, & Resources made a video of how she found the content, and alerted school EBSCO Database officials. According to one news article, officials then took Following a parent’s complaint that she found pornographic down the site. materials in EBSCO databases, the state provider for Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 electronic resources, Utah Education Network (UEN), blocked access to all of the licensed EBSCO resources in the INSPIRE Virtual Online Library state for every K-12 school. After a period of public comment INSPIRE is a collection of online academic databases and and investigation, UEN restored K-12 access to the EBSCO other information resources supported by the Indiana database. General Assembly and managed by the Indiana State Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 Library. Letters were sent to Indiana public school superintendents claiming INSPIRE is “pandering obscenity EBSCO Database to minors.” Access to the virtual library resources has been The Cherry Creek School District in Greenwood, Colorado successfully restored in schools that initially removed it. cancelled its contract to have EBSCO provide online research Source: JIFP Spring 2019 databases in its schools, after a two-year campaign by a couple who said their daughter’s EBSCO school account allowed her to see unfiltered pornography. The following Access month, the couple sued to limit materials from EBSCO Parents in the Mahwah, New Jersey school district were at schools throughout Colorado. The suit is pending in a outraged when the district changed its library policy, sharply Colorado District Court. limiting how frequently students could check books out from Source: JIFP Fall-Winter 2018 the school libraries. The intent, according to district officials, was to provide more time for technology instruction. Both Gale Database parents and students protested the new policy. It is not known A parent of a freshman at the Smithfield (Virginia) High whether the policy has been changed. School attended an open house at the school and found what she considered pornography in a Gale database. The “Gender Source: “Library is limiting book rentals to boost kids’ screen time. Parents are peeved.,” Studies” section included articles from The Advocate, NJ.com, November 21, 2018.

12 American Library Association Get Involved! 12 Ways to Keep the Light On

The 2019 Banned Books Week theme is “Censorship leaves us in the dark. Keep the light on.” Here are some ways that you can spotlight censorship every day of the year! LEARN 1. Stay updated on censorship attempts by following the Office for Intellectual Freedom on Twitter (@OIF) and Facebook (@ALAOIF), and subscribing to Intellectual Freedom News. ENGAGE 2. Suggest an enlightening banned or challenged book as your next book club read. 3. Ask your librarians, teachers, superintendents, and local public officials about attempts to ban or challenge books. They need to know you support the freedom to read in schools and libraries. 4. Attend school board, library board, and parent-teacher association (PTA) meetings. SHARE 5. Spotlight censorship when it happens. Share stories and calls to action on social media. WRITE 6. If there’s a local challenge reported in the news, write a powerful letter to the editor in your newspaper. The letter could touch on the benefits of unrestricted reading, or let the media and others know that there are members of the community who oppose censorship. 7. Send a letter to a banned or challenged author who has impacted your life. Find resources and addresses at ala.org/bbooks/dear-banned-author. SUPPORT 8. Celebrate Banned Books Week (September 22-28, 2019) by attending local programs or starting your own event. Learn more at ala.org/bbooks. 9. Promote the freedom to read in style by purchasing posters, T-shirts, and mugs at the ALA Store (alastore.ala.org/ keywords/banned-books-week). Sales support the defense of intellectual freedom in libraries and schools. 10. Join organizations that defend and promote free access to information. Find a list of sponsors of Banned Books Week at bannedbooksweek.org. 11. Visit your local library to check out a variety of materials on an array of perspectives, attend programs, and take advantage of the library’s many resources. REPORT 12. Share your censorship story. If there’s a challenge to materials or services in your local library or school, report the challenge to the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (ala.org/challengereporting). We’ll support you in whatever way you think is best— from writing letters and initiating campaigns, to visiting board meetings and contacting public officials. All challenges can be reported confidentially. Top 11 Challenged Books of 2018 #1: George by Alex Gino The American Library Association tracked Reasons: banned, challenged, and relocated because it was believed to 347 challenges to library, school, and encourage children to clear browser history and change their bodies using hormones, and university materials and services in for mentioning “dirty magazines,” describing male anatomy, “creating confusion,” and including a transgender character 2018. Of the 483 books that were #2: A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by challenged or banned in 2018, here Reasons: banned and challenged for including LGBTQIA+ content, and for political and religious viewpoints are the top 11 most challenged: #3: Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey Reasons: series was challenged because it was perceived as encouraging disruptive behavior, while Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot was challenged for featuring a same-sex married couple

#4: The Hate U Give by Reasons: banned and challenged because it was deemed “anti-cop,” and for profanity, drug use, and sexual references

#5: Drama by Raina Telgemeier Reasons: banned and challenged for including LGBTQIA+ characters and themes

#6: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher Reasons: banned, challenged, and restricted for addressing teen suicide

#7: This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki Reasons: banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and certain illustrations

#8: Skippyjon Jones series by Judy Schachner Reason: challenged for depicting stereotypes of Mexican culture

#9: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie Reasons: banned and challenged for sexual references, profanity, violence, gambling, and underage drinking, and for its religious viewpoint

#10: This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman Reason: challenged and burned for including LGBTQIA+ content

#11: Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan Reason: challenged, burned, and hidden for including LGBTQIA+ content