Banned Books Week 2021

Banned Books Week 2021

Here we are marching swiftly towards the end of the first year of the new millennium (there was no year "0"!) and people are still banning books. This year we have new categories of banned books like Dr. Seuss! I read most of those books and I only found one objectionable, If I Bought a Zoo was problematic more of the depiction of a zoo with cages and hunting animals (alive) for the zoo. The rest are nonsense and rather than cancelling them, how about they add a disclaimer that any people in the stories are fictional/used in a fictional way and any resemblance to people or cultures past, present or future is a coincidence/they're used in a fictitious way. (Seuss already changed the "Chinaman" on Mulberry Street and revised the illustration).

I also read The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future. I found it objectionable because it was sexist, ridiculous and teaches kids bad grammar and spelling. The villain has a light wave hair do and wears suits with ties. Do you see ex-President you know who's supporters complaining? One dad complained and people piled on his petition. Was it worth banning the book? I understand this person felt hurt by the depiction in the story, but like Seuss's books, it was sci-fi/fantasy. Perhaps an author's note was needed

I've been closely following this story of the Central York, Pa. school district and am thrilled the ban was overturned and so many authors, educators, activists and readers have come out and bought books for these students. I've read and enjoyed many of the books on that list and will be profiling them this week. The response to the students in PA has been overwhelming and inspiring. I hope they can donate some of those books to other school districts where kids need them. 

Central York (Pa.) Students Rallying Against Banned Books

The ban was finally overturned!!!!👍😀🙌👏

https://bookriot.com/central-york-book-ban-overturned/

Full list, many of which I have read and enjoyed.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_7lwEoVUAcSdXn?format=jpg&name=4096x4096