PEN America Says Book’s Permanent Removal is “Discriminatory Anti-Trans Bias.”
(MIAMI)— PEN America and Penguin Random House, which together with parents, students and authors are suing the Escambia County, FL School Board over its book bans in school libraries, today called on the district to reverse its decision to permanently remove award-winning author Kyle Lukoff’s book Too Bright to See, a coming of age story that includes an 11-year-old transgender character.
In a letter to the school board, PEN America, the writers and free expression organization and Penguin Random House, among the top five publishing houses, pointed to comments made by review committee members that the book was “errant and evil” and represented “indoctrination of {sic} transgenderism.”
In an accompanying letter, Lukoff, a former school librarian whose book won a prestigious Newbery honor and was a National Book Award finalist, wrote: “When I say that Too Bright To See should have a home in any library or bookstore, I’m not saying that as an author seeking recognition or royalties. I say that as a professional, whose whole life has been dedicated to helping kids find books that they will love.”
Lukoff wrote: “My job has always been to help kids find books they love, whether that was at a bookstore, a school library, or from my own desk and imagination. No one’s job should be taking those books away from them.” Lukoff is among the authors in the suit against the Escambia School Board.
In calling on the Escambia County School Board to reverse its decision, PEN America and Penguin Random House wrote to the board that Lukoff’s books, many of which feature trans and other underrepresented characters, “have played an essential role in diversifying library collections and have often been lifelines for kids eager to see themselves represented in literature.”
Too Bright to See was initially challenged in the district in February 2023 and restricted along with over 100 other books for “contain[ing] sexualities and alternate gender identities” and because its alleged purpose was “indoctrination.” This challenge was brought by Vicki Baggett, a high school teacher who is responsible for the vast majority of the book challenges in Escambia County. The book was subsequently returned to the shelves pending review.
Later, a review committee tied on whether to keep Too Bright to See, throwing the decision to five School Board-appointees to the committee who made comments that the book “[t]argets mis gender identity,” has an “overall message” that “is errant and evil,” and amounts to “absolute indoctrination of transgenderism.” They voted 4-1 to remove the book.
“We hope the Escambia County School Board will reverse the decision to remove Too Bright To See, allow the students of Escambia County access to this vital work of literature, and cease expanding its liability for blatant anti-trans bias in the removal of library books,” said Katie Blankenship, director of PEN America’s Florida office.
“All students should be able to read, think, and learn freely at school,” said Skip Dye, chair, Intellectual Freedom Taskforce, Penguin Random House. “The Escambia County School Board’s decision to remove Too Bright To See deprives students of the chance to discover a beautiful book that fosters empathy and understanding. We urge the Board to reconsider their decision.”
In May 2023, PEN America, Penguin Random House, and a diverse group of authors joined with parents and students in Escambia County, to file a federal lawsuit challenging removals and restrictions of books from school libraries that violate their rights to free speech and equal protection under the law.
The suit brought together authors whose books have been removed or restricted, including Lukoff, and parents and students in the district who cannot access the books, in a groundbreaking challenge to unlawful censorship.
A federal judge has ruled the suit may go forward. The judge’s decision allowing plaintiffs to seek discovery from the members of the School Board is now on appeal before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. The plaintiffs are being represented by lawyers from Ballard Spahr and Protect Democracy.
From July 2023 to June 2024, PEN America’s Index of School Book Bans recorded 10,046 instances of book bans across 29 states and 220 public school districts. When taken all together, since July 2021, the organization recorded 15,940 instances of book bans across 43 states and 415 public school districts. Florida banned more books than any other state.
About PEN America
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. Learn more at pen.org.
About Penguin Random House
Penguin Random House is the international home to more than 300 editorially and creatively independent publishing imprints. Our mission is to ignite a universal passion for reading by creating books for everyone. We believe that books, and the stories and ideas they hold, have the unique capacity to connect us, change us, and carry us toward a better future for generations to come.