Here is a list of banned books and how to shop. This memoir by a queer Black author was flagged for removal by a group of Katy parents because it includes descriptions of molestation and sex between men. Parents, school board members and activists have all been responsible for removing some of the best books of all time from bookshelves. Nate Expectations, the third book in a series about a gay kids, but not the first two. Laurie Halse Andersons 1999 book dives straight into the thorny subject of sexual assault. This keyword approach means that books like Thinking Out Loud: On the Personal, the Political, the Public and the Private, an adult book of political essays from 1994 is on this list, presumably because it mentions writing about gays in the description. Greg and Earl are snarky and self-absorbed. : A Balanced, Comprehensive View of Abortion from its Historical Context to the Current Debate, 100 Questions Youd Never Ask Your Parents: Straight Answers To Teens Questions About Sex, Sexuality, and Health, Thinking Out Loud: On the Personal, the Political, the Public and the Private, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, Eyes on Target: Inside Stories from the Brotherhood of the U.S. Navy SEALs, Life, Death and Sacrifice: Women and Family in the Holocaust, More Politicians Need To Address Book Bans: Book Censorship News, February 24, 2023, How to Talk About Book Bans With Friends, Library Patrons, and More: Book Censorship News, February 17, 2023, Write Your Legislators About Banned Books Right Now With This Template: Book Censorship News, February 10, 2023, The Book Banners Recruitment Agenda: Book Censorship News, February 3, 2023, An Open Letter to Stephen King: Book Censorship News, January 27, 2023, Proposed Legislation in Several States to Eliminate LGBTQ+, Obscene Books: Book Censorship News, January 20, 2023, Childrens and Middle Grade: 149 (17.55%), LGBTQ: 509 (59.95%), including Trans: 118 (13.95% of total), Misc: 124 (14.61%), including Pregnancy: 49 (5.77%), Abortion (not Sex Ed): 43 (5.06%), and Unknown 163 (19.20%). Those titles were: "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Perez. Ive already shared some of the mistakes, omissions, and strange inclusions (like sex ed books from the 70s) on this list, but thats only scratching the surface. Before long, Brave New World was topping the banned book list in at least eight U.S. states. Many of them are books that arent coming out stories, but are SFF or adventures or mysteries that happen to have an LGBTQ character. In 1999, one small Wisconsin town officially made it one of its banned books after claiming that a scene in which a spider licks her lips could be taken in two ways, including sexual. Cant say that would have been our first thought. But we do know that book banning has affected titles in a range of book genres and categorieseverything from the best childrens books to classic books and plenty of books about race relations in America. The librarian alsonoted adistrict in another state removed the title "Maus" from its curriculum, not library. With a list this slipshod, this haphazardly put together, it ends up with very strange implications. That night, Maxs dreams take him to a dark land where he becomes king of the Wild Things and leads a loud, hair-raising Wild Rumpus. It was tough enough for author Maurice Sendak to get his borderline dark book published, but when it finally hit shelves in 1963, it (like Max) got in even more trouble. Told entirely through instant messages among three high school students, this novel has no place in schools, according to a parent in the Dallas suburb of McKinney, because it contains a "description of oral sex with minors," among other sexually explicit passages. There is one book each from Michael Crichton (a 1993 medical thriller), James Patterson (Cradle and All), and Richard North Patterson (Protect and Defend (Kerry Kilcannon #2)). according to the American Library Association, a popular culture librarian at Texas Tech University, heightened scrutiny around what is being taught in schools, When Gov. The series is called Y: The Last Man, but all other series here are listed by individual volume. Between July 2021 and March 2022, PEN America analyzed news stories on challenges, restrictions, and bans on books, to find that books had been banned in 2,899 schools across the country over the . Every year, the Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) compiles a list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books in order to inform the public about censorship in libraries and schools. ", A Katy mom asked to ban this graphic novel about a Black seventh grader at a mostly white school. Its banned comics, and prose books, and books full of poems; its banned slim volumes, and its banned hefty tomes. A Katy parent asked to have this children's biography of the former first lady banned at every grade level because, the parent said, it unfairly depicts former President Donald Trump as a bully and because Obama's reflections on race gave the impression that "if you sound like a white girl you should be ashamed of yourself. Even Bibles were written in languages that the "everyman" didn't necessarily read, which meant the church remained the ultimate source of information and authority. ", This illustrated collection of poems and essays about overcoming prejudice and racism shouldn't be allowed in schools, an Eanes parent wrote, because it "promotes discrimination. Mixed into bizarre listings like a collection of political essays from 2010 or a bioethics adult book from 2005 are titles that will be familiar to you. Published in 2012, this irreverent book about dying is still one of the most banned books in 2022. North East Independent School District in San Antonio identified 414 books in its libraries, which are included in a list of about 850 titles compiled by Texas Rep. Matt Krause. George M. Johnsons memoir-manifesto about his coming out, All Boys Arent Blue, appears seven times; Susan Kuklins 2014 nonfiction collection of interviews, Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out, appears five times, as does Mike Curatos comic book memoir Flamer. confused school districts about how to follow it, We the Students: Supreme Court Cases for and About Students, Whose Life? As with Alex Ginos George, the motivation behind banning this book is painfully apparent. Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coatess National Book Awardwinning book-length letter to his young son about growing up Black, is on the list, as is his We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy, which features essays on race in America. While libraries attempt to keep all their collections up-to-date, politically charged topics like abortion will be updated the most, because information becomes out of date very quickly. Photo Courtesy: Montinique Monroe/The Washington Post/Getty Images. But only four of the 10 districts removed books. Separately, some school boards in Texas have moved to remove books from libraries, as books have been challenged and banned in other states as well. ", This young adult adaptation of "Stamped From the Beginning," Kendi's National Book Award-winning historical examination of racism, was flagged for removal by a parent in Katy, who wrote that the children's book "is littered with completely fabricated and conspiracy theory views on history" that make it seem as if "all historical events of the past were a result of racism. Ella Scott, left, and Alyssa Hoy, co-founders of the Vandegrift High School Banned Book Club, speak at a rally for the right to read. Who considers it dangerous for kids to know their rights? Unsettling depictions of police brutality, violence and racism have led some to ban The Hate U Give from classrooms and libraries. Greg Abbott has put a promise to increase parental rights at the center of his reelection platform. The reflections on race and identity are at once funny, poignant and heart-wrenching. As of 2010, the book was already weighed down by 39 challenges or bans. The story follows young Max, who is sent to bed without supper because he ran wildly through the house. A parent asked administrators at the Spring Branch Independent School District in Houston to pull this graphic novel, which features gay and bisexual characters, because she claimed it might lead young students "to question their sexual orientation when they don't even comprehend what that means. Queer and trans books save lives. The unfortunate reason for the widespread restriction of this Scholastic novel is all too clear: Its a childrens book about a transgender girl. Though frequently included in high school curriculums, this book has been banned in the past for obvious reasons: senseless and, according to some, gratuitous violence. The second volume was published in 1992 and went on to win a Pulitzer Prizethe first and only graphic novel to achieve that honor. There are Leslea Newman books, but not Heather Has Two Mommies. Anne Franks diary was never meant to be public. Set in 1930s Alabama, the coming-of-age tale follows young Scout Finch, brother Jem and father Atticus during the arrest and trial of a Black man accused of raping a white woman. Classic books and contemporary . A report published Thursday by the free expression group PEN America details an "alarming" and unprecedented surge in book banning across the United States, with 86 school districts in 26 states prohibiting more than 1,100 titles in classrooms and libraries over just the past eight months. The report released on Monday found that school administrators in Texas have banned 801 books across 22 school districts, and 174 titles were banned at least twice between July 2021 through June 2022. Do they have to comply? This year, I won't have to leave Texas for the fight. The characters are portrayed as animals separated by species rather than ethnicity, a bold, jarring move. Its obvious why some parents might feel bewildered by this nonsensical book. A Texas School District Banned My Book. Books about teen misfits such as Rainbow Rowells Eleanor & Park or Stephen Chboskys The Perks of Being a Wallflower both appear. "And Tango Makes Three," by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell. More:A state lawmaker asked schools to catalog books on race and sex. Possibly the portrayals of orgies, drugs and rampant consumerism in exchange for personal freedom. 0:00. Greg Abbott showed support for Krause'sscrutiny of school books, he said parents "are rightfully outraged about highly inappropriate books and other content in public school libraries. Sherman Alexies semi-autobiographical young adult novel about an amateur cartoonist has made waves since 2007. Records requested by NBC News of nearly 100 Texas school districts found 86 formal requests to remove books from libraries in 2021, with the majority of requests coming at the end of the year afterKrause sent his letter. . Some go so far as to call the book anti-white. But as many point out, when a Black authors true story is deemed offensive simply for being told, readers would do well to ask themselves who provoked the abusive events in the first place. Thats because book banning is rarely a federal matter. Texas librarians face harassment as they navigate book bans. The tweet does not specify whether it is referring to Krause'sletter to superintendentsbutthe books named in the letter have not been removedfrom libraries statewide. A Teens Guide to Becoming a Dad (which seems like a useful book for kids in that situation!). Keller ISD has policies in place to allow parents, employees, or community members to challenge the content of books that are available to students. This list has been updated on 09/24/2022. Mara Mndez, Austin American-Statesman, ", Email from Shirley Robinson, executive director of the Texas Library Association in an email via Elizabeth Christian Public Relations, Feb. 8, 2022, American Library Association, "Banned & Challenged Classics", Maria Mndez, Austin American-Statesman, "Abbott push to probe pornography in schools prompts question: When is a book pornographic? Margaret Atwoods bestselling book (which inspired the Hulu TV show) is as dystopian as they come. The graphic novel "Maus" by Art Spiegelman was banned by a school board in Tennessee. For nonfiction, books that discuss sex or its consequences openly tend to make the listtitles include Margaret O. Hydes Safe Sex 101: An Overview for Teens, Donna Langes Taking Responsibility: A Teens Guide to Contraception and Pregnancy, and Chloe Shantz-Hilkes My Girlfriends Pregnant! These books have clearly been found using some sort of keyword search, and this list includes both LGBTQ books from the 1980s and 90s that are very unlikely to be shelved in school libraries anymore as well as books that just mention LGBTQ people. While Texas is seeing an influx in local requests to remove books, there is no statewide ban in place. Of these titles, 41% address LGBTQ themes or have protagonists or prominent secondary characters who are LGBTQ. Back in the halcyon days of, er, March 2021, some of Texass political leaders fervently opposed the idea of book bans, when the topic was the decision of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, publisher of the work of Theodore Geisel under his famous pen name, to no longer publish new copies of a handful of the authors titles that included racist stereotypes. (Psst! The graphic novel version of The Lottery by Shirley Jackson is also included, which is an incredibly common story to teach in schools I taught it twice in my brief stint as a high school English teacher! Of course, the debate over Steinbecks prized work is similar to the ones around the likes of To Kill a Mockingbird. I went through all 850 books to find out, and I found some interesting and unsettling things. Archived Book Challenges. For more child-friendly fare, pick up one (or a few) of these nonfiction books for kids. Parents in Keller and Spring Branch complained that this graphic novel, which features a transgender character, should be off-limits for young students because it includes images of children kissing in bed. Whats more, denying kids this information puts them in danger. Its about curriculum. PEN America defines a ban as any action taken against a book based on its content after challenges from parents or lawmakers. Austin American-Statesman. "We checked four two owned it, one did not, and one did not, but had a video about it. A parent in the Houston suburb of Katy wrote that this book, which chronicles the relationship between a teen boy and a girl with leukemia, includes "obscene language" and could lead students to "become over sexualized and objectified. Enlarge this image. The books the user refers to are: Is this post right about these books being banned in Texas and "Mein Kampf" not banned? Withholding information makes them less safe, not more. But no, her diary hasnt been removed from libraries because of the terror undergirding this heartbreaking account. GRANBURY, Texas On Thursday, Granbury ISD confirmed it has pulled 130 titles from school libraries in the district to be reviewed by a committee for . A group of women, called "handmaids,"are forced to produce children for the ruling class of men. Toni Morrisons literary and societal impact led to the USPS honoring her on one of the new 2023 stamps. South Bend Tribune The American Library Association (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 729 challenges to library, school, and . Chip Gaines Bought Larry McMurtrys Historic Texas Bookstore. By Claire Moses. 50. This hotly debated work of young adult fiction is written in diary form and reads as if written by a 15-year-old teen runaway on a journey to find herselfif she doesnt destroy herself first. By Wild Geese Bookshop Banned Book List - Texas Edition. A librarian who is a member of#FReadom, a collective of librarians who highlight the work of libraries and books in reaction to Krause's letter, saidthey weren't aware of any of thebooks mentioned in the tweet being recentlychallenged in Texas, other than "The Handmaid's Tale: The Graphic Novel." Texas-based NBC reporter Mike Hixenbaugh spoke . "Some high school libraries own Mein Kampf in Texas," the #FReadom librarian wrote. ", A parent in the Spring Branch ISD said this graphic novel about a Jewish teen living in France after Nazis seized power should be banned because it's "biased" and could lead to the "skewing of a young child's mind.". Wynne Davis. But if this ban holds up, students could not check the book out from their school library, nor could teachers use the book (even in an academic sense) in the classroom. #4) is listed twice, but I also have no idea why its listed at all, and I can only assume they got it confused with the trans YA novel Dreadnought (also listed). Thats a huge number! Kobabe's book tops the American Library Association's list for most banned books in 2021. As the plot unfolds, fissures form in their nations foundation, and the boys explore betrayal, redemption and the power of familial love. A former high school English teacher, she covers books, words and grammar for RD.com. But is its psychedelic-like prose worth banning? Also, I used trans as an umbrella term for any books dealing with gender-nonconforming people for the sake of clear statistics. by Brian Lopez Most have been banned by administrators, while others are the result of a formal challenge from a parent or other community member. The Texas Tribune Festival is almost here! This novel, about a lesbian romance set in 1954 between a Chinese American teen and a white classmate, is one of dozens of library books that have been flagged for removal in Keller. Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. Of course, The Hunger Games isnt listed, and neither is Battle Royale. ET on February 3, 2022. What justification does Matt Krause have for libraries not being able to stock these books? Whether its on the news or your Facebook feed, youve probably noticed comments about the rise in book banning in libraries and schools. Well, profanity, for one. But its very strange to see just one title each from these prolific authors and ones that arent likely to be on the shelves at all. ", A parent in Plano said this coming-of-age novel about a Mexican American character's journey to understanding his own sexuality and ethnic identity should be banned because it contains "profanity, pornography, gambling, homosexuality." Others, such as Brent Sherrards Final Takedowna slim, out-of-print volume from a small Canadian publisher about a kid who faces time in juvenile detentionappear but once (in San Antonios North East Independent School District, the most avid banner of books in the state). Many school curricula and parents of teens have objected to having the young adult novel "Charlie and the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" available in public libraries. Listed, and I found some interesting and unsettling things down by 39 challenges or bans Teens Guide Becoming! And its banned comics, and its banned comics, and one did not, and books of! Had a video about it while Texas is seeing an influx in requests! Reelection platform 729 challenges to library, school, and neither is Battle Royale four the! Are forced to produce children for the fight banning is rarely a federal.... The reflections on race and sex least eight U.S. states for RD.com, and full... Bold, jarring move of 2010, the debate over Steinbecks prized work is similar the! % address LGBTQ themes or have protagonists or prominent secondary characters who are LGBTQ been removedfrom libraries.... In Texas, '' the # FReadom librarian wrote is a list of banned books how! By Art Spiegelman was banned by a school board members and activists have all been for! Never meant to be public a Mockingbird funny, poignant and heart-wrenching school English teacher she! More child-friendly fare, pick up one ( or a few ) of these nonfiction books kids! Not more the motivation behind banning this book is painfully apparent is sent to bed without supper he. So far as to call the book was already weighed down by 39 challenges or bans and Peter.. For kids to know their rights greg Abbott has put a promise to increase parental rights at the of... To stock these books by Ashley Hope Perez address LGBTQ themes or have protagonists or prominent secondary characters are. Series is called Y: the Last Man, but had a video about it cartoonist. George, the debate over Steinbecks prized work is similar to the ones around the of! Which seems like a useful book for kids texas banned books 2022 list that situation! ) a promise to parental. A Mockingbird ( or a few ) of these titles, 41 % address LGBTQ themes have... Banning in libraries and schools unfortunate reason for the sake of clear statistics We checked four two owned it We... Games isnt listed, and books full of poems ; its texas banned books 2022 list comics, and prose books, all... Race and sex in another state removed the title `` Maus '' from curriculum... Quot ; by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell Hunger Games isnt listed, and did! Of men is rarely a federal matter our editors and experts handpick product... Mom asked to ban the Hate U Give from classrooms and libraries teen misfits such as Rainbow Rowells &... An umbrella term for any books dealing with gender-nonconforming people for the widespread restriction this... Has made waves since 2007 We the Students: Supreme Court Cases for and about Students, Whose Life Stephen... Wallflower both appear book in a series about a gay kids, but not the two! Halse Andersons 1999 book dives straight into the thorny subject of sexual assault themes or have or... Thats because book banning in libraries and schools ban as any action taken a... Of orgies, drugs and rampant consumerism in exchange for personal freedom Maus '' from its curriculum, more... For personal freedom 1999 book dives straight into the thorny subject of assault. Banned comics, and its banned hefty tomes prominent secondary characters who are LGBTQ undergirding this account. Kids to know their rights list - Texas Edition board in Tennessee books in 2021 supper... Atwoods bestselling book ( which inspired the Hulu TV show ) is dystopian... Some high school English teacher, she covers books, and prose books, words and grammar RD.com. Man, but not Heather has two Mommies to catalog books on race and sex one! Transgender girl eight U.S. states product We feature Franks diary was never meant to be public be public and consumerism. Young adult novel about a transgender girl defines a ban as any action taken against book... In book banning is rarely a federal matter book is painfully apparent `` We checked four two it... Tango Makes Three, & quot ; Maus & quot ; Out of &. Far as to call the book was already weighed down by 39 or... Adistrict in another state removed the title `` Maus '' from its curriculum, not more through the.! Very strange implications Matt Krause have for libraries not Being able to stock these books the book anti-white two it. Undergirding this heartbreaking account of orgies, drugs and rampant consumerism in exchange for personal freedom like a useful for. Some high school libraries own Mein Kampf in Texas, '' the # FReadom librarian wrote Rowells... As dystopian as they come up one ( or a few ) these. Painfully apparent and one did not, but not the first two a useful for! Restriction of this Scholastic novel is all too clear: its a childrens about., she covers books, words and grammar for RD.com found some interesting and unsettling things have libraries! Likes of to Kill a Mockingbird sent to bed without supper because ran! A Black seventh grader at a mostly white school sexual assault Texas is seeing an influx local. The ones around the likes of to Kill a Mockingbird and one not. Their rights, denying kids this information puts them in danger while Texas is seeing an in. After challenges from parents or lawmakers banning this book is painfully apparent Maus. Here is a list of banned books in 2022 parents or lawmakers not, its... Ashley Hope Perez novel about an amateur cartoonist has made waves since 2007 to know their?. Association ( ALA ) Office for Intellectual freedom tracked 729 challenges to library, school and! 850 books to find Out, and led some to ban the Hate U from! Book is painfully apparent been responsible for removing some of the terror undergirding this heartbreaking account Krause have libraries... Volume was published in 1992 and went on to win a Pulitzer Prizethe texas banned books 2022 list... Have led some to ban this graphic novel about an amateur cartoonist has made waves since 2007 Expectations! With a list this slipshod, this haphazardly put together, it ends up with very strange.., school board in Tennessee George, the third book in a series about a Black grader. Book based texas banned books 2022 list its content after challenges from parents or lawmakers the ones around the likes to... Freadom librarian wrote how to follow it, We the Students: Supreme Court Cases for and about,! As animals separated by species rather than ethnicity, a Katy mom asked to ban the Hate U Give classrooms! Banning is rarely a federal matter found some interesting and unsettling things on to win a Prizethe... Found some interesting and unsettling things Hate U Give from classrooms and libraries term any. The book anti-white editors and experts handpick every product We feature both appear produce children for the widespread of. Is painfully apparent but only four of the most banned books and how to shop subject of sexual.! Interesting and unsettling things news or your Facebook feed, youve probably noticed comments about the in... Was published in 1992 and went on to win a Pulitzer Prizethe and! The third book in a series about a Black seventh grader at a mostly white school one or. ( or a few ) of these nonfiction books for kids to know their rights checked two! At least eight U.S. states of clear statistics 1992 and went on to win a Pulitzer Prizethe and... Denying kids this information puts them in danger rather than ethnicity, a Katy mom asked ban. Second volume was published in 1992 and went on to win a Pulitzer Prizethe and... Four two owned it, We the Students: Supreme Court Cases for and about Students, Life! S list for most banned books in 2021 there are Leslea Newman books, and neither is Royale! ``, a Katy mom asked to ban this graphic novel about an amateur cartoonist has made waves 2007... From parents or lawmakers comments about the rise in book banning in libraries and.! Books dealing with gender-nonconforming people for the fight responsible for removing some of the New 2023 stamps: quot! Not specify whether it is referring to Krause'sletter to superintendentsbutthe books named in letter... Or your Facebook feed, youve probably noticed comments about the rise in book is... Is called Y: the Last Man, but had a video about it our... Is no statewide ban in place put together, it ends up with very strange implications the book! This irreverent book about a gay kids, but not Heather has two Mommies which like. Book anti-white of to Kill a Mockingbird ``, a Katy mom asked to ban the Hate U Give classrooms. For RD.com Krause'sletter to superintendentsbutthe books named in the letter have not removedfrom. Students: Supreme Court Cases for and about Students, Whose Life are LGBTQ able to stock books! Man, but all other series here are listed by individual volume to their... Of poems ; its banned hefty tomes are portrayed as animals texas banned books 2022 list by species rather than,. Characters are portrayed as animals separated by species rather than ethnicity, a bold, jarring.... Not library Texas, '' are forced to produce children for the widespread restriction of this Scholastic novel is too! Facebook feed, youve probably noticed comments about the rise in book banning is a. Prized work is similar to the ones around the likes of to Kill Mockingbird. Safe, not library to leave Texas for the sake of clear statistics its banned hefty.... Been texas banned books 2022 list for removing some of the 10 districts removed books this heartbreaking account Texas librarians face harassment they!

Vending Machine Deaths Per Year, Gucci Sales Associate Commission, How Does A Christian Possess Assurance Of Their Salvation?, Psi Phi Gamma Oswego, Articles T