March Book and Censorship Challenges

03/09/2015- Rio Rancho Public Schools, NM

Rio Rancho Public Schools have received requests to remove the graphic novel Palomar from its libraries’ shelves on the grounds that it constitutes child pornography. The NCAC, in collaboration with PEN, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, American Booksellers For Free Expression, the Association of American Publishers, the National Council of Teachers of English, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, adressed Superintendent V. Sue Cleveland. View the letter.

February Book and Censorship Challenges:

02/06/2015-Highland Park Highschool, Highland Park Independent School District, TX

Highland Park Highschool proposed new policies to address book and censorship challenges that were presented to the board for a possible vote. The NCAC, in collaboration with PEN, American Booksellers For Free Expression, the Association of American Publishers, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, the National Council of Teachers of English, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, addressed Superintendent Dawson Orr and the board of trustees. View the letter.

January Book and Censorship Challenges: 

01/12/2015-Hanover County Public Schools, VA

This letter calls attention to teaching about sensitive or controversial topics through films like Thomas Friedman’s Reporting: Searches for the roots of 9/11. The NCAC, in collaboration with PEN, American Booksellers For Free Expression, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, and the National Council of Teachers of English, addressed Superintendent Dr. Jamelle S. Wilson and board members. View the letter. 

01/9/2015-Appoquinimink School District, DE

The Appoquinimink School District wanted to adopt a “rating system” for books. The NCAC, in collaboration with PEN, American Booksellers For Free Expression, the Association of American Publishers, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, the National Council of Teachers of English, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, addressed district President Norm Abrams and board members. View the letter.

December Book and Censorship Challenges: 

12/8/2014-Riverside Unified School District, CA

Riverside Unified School District removed The Fault in Our Stars by John Green from their middle school libraries. The NCAC, in collaboration with PEN, the American Booksellers Foundation For Free Expression, the Association of American Publishers, then Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, the National Council of Teachers of English, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, addressed district President Patricia Lock-Dawson and board members. View the letter. 

12/1/2014-Indian River School District, DE

An Indian River School board member Shaun Fink called for the removal of health curriculum units that discuss homosexuality, bisexuality, and for the elimination of units that teach about HIV, STD, and pregnancy prevention. The NCAC, in collaboration with PEN, the American Civil Liberties Union of Delaware, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the American Booksellers Foundation For Free Expression, the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, addressed Superintendent Susan Bunting and the Curriculum Subcommittee for Health. View the letter.

November Book and Censorship Challenges: 

11/21/2014-Arcadia High School, AZ

Arcadia High School claimed that the material taught by one of their teachers was not suited for young minds. PEN addressed Principal Nathan Slater. View the letter.

11/20/2014-Highland Park Highschool, Highland Park Independent School District, TX

HP Kids Read organized a coalition of more than 300 parents to submit a submission statement to Highland Park Highschool in response to their recent book challenges. View the letter. 

11/10/2014-Highland Park Highschool, Highland Park Independent School District,  TX

Highland Park Independent School District demanded that books be labeled according to some notion of “decency” or “community standards.” The NCAC, in collaboration with PEN, the American Booksellers Foundation For Free Expression, the Association of American Publishers, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, the National Council of Teachers of English, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, addressed Superintendent Dawson Orr and the board of trustees. View the letter. 

11/6/2014-Reedley High School, Kings Canyon Unified School District, CA

Reedley High school retained Black Swan Green by David Mitchell for their 9th grade students. The NCAC, in collaboration with PEN, the American Booksellers Foundation For Free Expression, the Association of American Publishers, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, the National Council of Teachers of English, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, addressed Superintendent Juan Garza and members of the school. View the letter.  

October Book Challenges:

10/29/2014-Reedley High School, King Canyon Unified School District, CA

The novel Black Swan Green by David Mitchell was challenged in Reedley High School’s English class. The American Libraray Association, in collaboration with PEN, the National Council of Teachers of English, and the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators, addressed Superintendent Juan Garza. View the letter.  

10/10/2014-Teton School District, WY

The Teton School District challenged the novel Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya. The NCAC, in collaboration with PEN, the Association of American Publishers, the American Booksellers Foundation For Free Expression, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, the National Council of Teachers of English, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, addressed Superintendent Monte Woolstenhulme and members of the school board. View the letter. 

10/10/2014-Highland Park High School, Highland Park Independent School District, TX

Several works were removed from Highland Park High School’s library for “disturbing, vulgar passages.” The NCAC, in collaboration with PEN, the American Booksellers Foundation For Free Expression, the Association of American Publishers, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, the National Council of Teachers of English, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, addressed Superintendent Dawson Orr and the board of trustees. View the letter. 

10/7/2014-Waukesha School District, WI

Waukesha School District attempted to enforce a “red-flagging” policy for books. The district also attempted to remove Looking for Alaska by John Green, Chinese Handcuffs by Chris Crutcher, and Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini in classrooms and libraries. The NCAC, in collaboration with PEN, the American Booksellers Foundation For Free Expression, the Association of American Publishers, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, the National Council of Teachers of English, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, addressed Superintendent Todd Gray and members of the school board. View the letter.