School Libraries

An Iowa school district asked ChatGPT to find books in its collection that had sexual content, Fort Worth ISD closes libraries for inventory after board removes three titles, "Heartstopper" books pulled in Mississippi, and John Green's 'Fault in Our Stars' may return to YA section in Indiana.

The most viewed stories: recommended titles for the return to the classroom, fiction and nonfiction, and ways to make books available in a time of rampant censorship. Meanwhile, M.T. Anderson calls us to what counts: love. 

In Florida, access to the book about a male penguin couple has been restored in a school district's libraries; a teacher provides banned books at a Ben & Jerry's; and a district limits Shakespeare. Author John Green criticizes Indiana libraries for moving his book from the YA section; a Virginia library director is forced to resign, and the ABA passes a resolution against book bans.

Getting books to kids who are denied them elsewhere is a critical piece in the ongoing fight for intellectual freedom. 

A law that would open librarians up to criminal charges is on hold in Arkansas; the Michigan Library Association is rallying residents against censorship; nearly 400 books are removed from an Iowa school district; and there are claims of concerns about Arthur damaging souls in Florida.

Lawsuits are becoming an important tool to fight back against censorship. SLJ spoke with plaintiffs in four cases about what led them here, why they pursued this path, and the goal of the legal action.

Hand these just-scary-enough stories to kids taken with the new movie based on the iconic Disney World ride. 

Brian Selznick’s new book originated as a movie with Steven Spielberg six years ago. When production stalled during the pandemic, Selznick created a 528-page illustrated novel instead.

The American Booksellers Association, Association of American Publishers, Authors Guild, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, and two Austin bookstores have filed a suit claiming the new Texas law violates the Constitution's First and Fourteenth Amendments.