In response to a complaint from a parent of an elementary school student, three high school libraries in Florida have restricted access to the award-winning This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki.
In response to a complaint from a parent of an elementary school student, three high school libraries in Florida have restricted access to the award-winning
This One Summer (First Second, 2014) by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki. A parent of a third-grade student at Sabal Point Elementary School in Longwood, FL, complained about some of the language in the 2015 Caldecott Honor–winning graphic novel. The district removed the book from the library but then also had it removed from open shelves at three local high schools.
A letter from the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC)—signed by the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, American Booksellers for Free Expression, Association of American Publishers, National Council of Teachers of English, American Library Association, and the PEN American Center's Children’s and Young Adult Book Committee—points out how the decision undermines the freedom to read: "While the book may be above the maturity and reading level of elementary school students, its value for young adults at the high school level has been recognized by leading professionals. The book may not be of interest to every student, but as per Seminole County Public Schools’ own policies, “The [school’s educational media] center shall provide a wide range of materials on all levels of difficulty, with diversity of appeal, and the representation of different points of view. The letter also notes that the decision appears to violate Seminole County's policies regarding challenged materials, and raises broader questions as well: "Restricting a book with such established literary merit in three high school libraries solely because a parent complained about its content being inappropriate for her own elementary-aged child privileges the values of one person over the entire community, and raises serious constitutional concerns."
The graphic novel, about a pair of friends teetering on the brink of young adulthood, is no stranger to controversy. When it received a Caldecott Honor, an award usually associated with picture books, the work caused quite a stir among librarians and educators. Shortly after the announcement, in an
interview with “100 Scope Notes” blogger Travis Jonker, the Tamaki cousins shared their own shock at the important recognition. “I wouldn’t have even considered our book Caldecott material. Very thrilling and surprising,” said Jillian Tamaki.

Scales on Censorship columnist and former chair of the American Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Committee Pat Scales
last year addressed a librarian’s question about the appropriateness of the Caldecott recognition given to the graphic novel for older readers, saying that the book fulfills the award’s criteria. In response to the restriction of access in the Florida high schools, Mariko Tamaki told
SLJ, “
This One Summer is listed as being for readers ranging 12–18. It contains depictions of young people talking about, and dealing with, adult things. I think there are a lot of books, including a lot of great graphic novels, that should be made available to teen readers.” Mariko Tamaki also appreciates the librarians and educators who continue to shelve graphic novels in their collections, despite the controversy that might ensue. “A lot of libraries and librarians I know have embraced comics as being great books for teens, and that makes me very happy.”
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