News & Features
Should libraries that already purchased books based on their starred reviews keep or withdraw them because of subsequent controversies?
I understand small moments of joy on a page, like a slave receiving a Christmas present, because I can place those stories into a broad landscape and see them as the exception, not the norm. You have to earn hopeful stories about horrifying events, and you can only see what hope means if the horrors lurking nearby are visible
This 'shocking and unprecedented case of self-censorship' was, in fact, an editorial decision. The publishing industry makes thousands of them every day. They happen in response to many factors, including outside pressure, personal bias, and money. This decision happened after many voices were raised opposing the book, led by Black Lives Matter activist Leslie Mac.
Withdrawing a book from circulation—which makes it disappear as effectively as burning—is a dangerous course. The book is gone. By the same logic, other books will also disappear, or never be written. But there’s another compelling cause for concern: Censorship often works against those who are the most marginalized—historically, women, minorities, and dissidents.
Despite complaints from a contingent of parents about a photo of a gun on the cover, the New York City Department of Education has no plans to remove Jason Reynolds's YA novel from lists of suggested reading material for seventh and eighth graders.
Pat Scales, School Library Journal's Scales on Censorship columnist, has been named this year's Distinguished Service Award recipient by the Association for Library Service to Children.
Censorship expert Pat Scales offers guidance on helping competitive readers find their own thing, balancing the responsibility to protect privacy, and orienting new teachers to the role of the library.
The 12th "Captain Underpants" novel will only be available to school kids in Monroe, MI, if they specifically order it. It is not in the school library or at book fairs.
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