Banned Books Week 2022
The last year has seen a record number of challenges and outright bans in schools AND public libraries across America. Texas holds the record for more books banned in its school districts than any other state. Books are being challenged for teaching the so-called Critical Race Theory, which some parents and administrators feel causes children to feel extreme mental guilt and anguish. I'm not sure what they think students of color have been feeling all these years and how they feel not seeing themselves represented in literature.
Books are also being challenged and banned for supposedly obscene content, which often means LGBTQ+ issues and/or books that discuss puberty for adolescents, teen sex/sexuality and even some books featuring illustrations of nude babies and nude art. Yes you read that correctly- nude babies are obscene. Don't people bathe their children and take them to the beach? Let toddlers run through the sprinkler? Change diapers in public?
Here are some reviews of some of the best of the banned and challeged books I've read lately.
New Kid by Jerry Craft -- Middle Grades Graphic Novel
The story details the daily microaggressions and racism Jordan faces but also how he deals with the problems with humor and art. It also shows how he pushes himself to make friends and introduce his Black friend and White friend to show what they have in common.
This book was banned and an author talk cancelled in Katy (Texas) Independent School District last year because a parent complained it "teaches critical race theory and promotes Marxism." I don't know what Marxism is supposed to be and Jerry Craft had to look up CRT to see what he was accused of teaching. He based the story on his own experiences and didn't want to write a book full of doom and drama as most books aimed at Black kids are. He wanted to write about his experiences with humor and that's what he did. Fortunately, the ban was overturned and the kids got to attend the virtual presentation.
Read my review at GoodReads
Class Act by Jerry Craft -- Middle Grades Graphic Novel
This story is funnier than New Kid. It's also more relatable to more kids as they learn to navigate friendships in middle school. Many kids have friends from the neighborhood and then friends from school. Both groups are very different. This book presents a mature and thoughtful way of finding out how to be friends with everyone without feeling pressure from either group.
Once again, Jerry Craft created a compelling and funny slice of middle school life. You can't help but like Drew and Jerry. I'm eager to read more.
Recommend for kids 11+ AND adults. Adults could stand to learn some things the same way the teachers and kids in this book do.
Class Act by Jerry Craft -- Middle Grades Graphic Novel
This story is funnier than New Kid. It's also more relatable to more kids as they learn to navigate friendships in middle school. Many kids have friends from the neighborhood and then friends from school. Both groups are very different. This book presents a mature and thoughtful way of finding out how to be friends with everyone without feeling pressure from either group.
Once again, Jerry Craft created a compelling and funny slice of middle school life. You can't help but like Drew and Jerry. I'm eager to read more.
Recommend for kids 11+ AND adults. Adults could stand to learn some things the same way the teachers and kids in this book do.
Read my full review on GoodReads
Ritu Weds Chandni by Ameya Narvankar--Picture BookA little girl, Ayesha, is excited to attend her cousin Ritu's wedding. Ayesha can't wait to dance at the baraat ceremony! This wedding will be a bit different than the last family wedding because Ritu is leading at baraat herself when usually the groom does it. Not everyone is happy with Ritu marrying another woman and some people want to stop the wedding. It's up to Ayesha to save her favorite cousin's big day!
This is a really cute story. I learned a lot about Hindu weddings and some Hindi words. Ayesha is a sweet little girl. She's just excited to party and happy her cousin is happy. She just wants her cousin to have a special, memorable, happy day. The lengths some people go through to stop the wedding are appalling and disrespectful. You don't have to like it. You do have to suck it up and keep your mouth shut. I've been there, done that (not for LGBTQ reasons) but because the groom was a douchebag or otherwise not someone I thought was right for my friend/family member). Leave it to a small child to understand that love is love and love needs to be celebrated! There is a strong message here. Ayesha's aunt says "There is nothing wrong with them getting married... some people just don't understand love."
A list of Hindi words is in the back which is helpful. There's also a heartbreaking author's note explaining how this beautiful marriage would not be allowed in India at the time of publication and India has only recently decriminalized same sex relationships. The author, a gay man, felt the lack of same sex representation in books and media when he was growing up. He lacked role models on which to model the relationship he wished to have with his own partner. He felt stifled by expectations around him but realized it's much worse for women. He hopes the book will being about a multifaceted and nuanced discussion on human rights.
This is a really cute story. I learned a lot about Hindu weddings and some Hindi words. Ayesha is a sweet little girl. She's just excited to party and happy her cousin is happy. She just wants her cousin to have a special, memorable, happy day. The lengths some people go through to stop the wedding are appalling and disrespectful. You don't have to like it. You do have to suck it up and keep your mouth shut. I've been there, done that (not for LGBTQ reasons) but because the groom was a douchebag or otherwise not someone I thought was right for my friend/family member). Leave it to a small child to understand that love is love and love needs to be celebrated! There is a strong message here. Ayesha's aunt says "There is nothing wrong with them getting married... some people just don't understand love."
A list of Hindi words is in the back which is helpful. There's also a heartbreaking author's note explaining how this beautiful marriage would not be allowed in India at the time of publication and India has only recently decriminalized same sex relationships. The author, a gay man, felt the lack of same sex representation in books and media when he was growing up. He lacked role models on which to model the relationship he wished to have with his own partner. He felt stifled by expectations around him but realized it's much worse for women. He hopes the book will being about a multifaceted and nuanced discussion on human rights.
He says "To change society's minds we need to appeal to their hearts. To do this we need more people to hear our stories. So keep reading and sharing and educating those around you."
A list of books for young readers about the South Asian LGBTQ+ experience is included.
A list of books for young readers about the South Asian LGBTQ+ experience is included.
This book is excellent and should be given to every expectant parent as a reminder not to get caught up in gender stereotypes and gender identity. When Aidan was born his parents decorated his room pink and frilly and bought him lots of dresses. Aidan did not like pink or dresses and always got his clothes dirty. Everything thought he was a different kind of girl, until he got the courage to tell his parents he was actually a boy. Now Aidan's Mommy is expecting a new baby and he worries about what the baby will think about everything. Aidan helps his parents readjust their expectations and go truly gender neutral. Their baby welcoming party does not reveal the gender of the baby. Balloons spell out "It's a baby"!
This book is lovely. It is simple and easy enough for young children and older adults to understand. Children take this stuff in stride so I think this is more for the parents and for children who don't fit in. I appreciate the acknowledgment that some girls have rooms full of science experiments and bug collections and how lots of little girls don't wear dresses.
I also like how Aiden gently corrects adults when they ask "Are you excited for your new little brother or sister?" He replies "I'm excited to be a big brother!"
The message is simple. Listen to your children and love and accept them for who they are.
Aidan's Mommy says "When you were born we didn't you were going to be our son. We made some mistakes, but you helped us fix them.
And you taught us how important it is to love someone for exactly who they are. This baby is so lucky to have you, and so are we."
SNIFF!!
An author's note simply explains how when they were born everyone thought they were a girl. The author's story is different from Aiden's. The point of the book is to help kids who are transgender understand what they're feeling and helps them talk about it when they're ready. It's also for kids who feel like they don't belong sometimes or worry about making mistakes.
I, too, hope Aidan grows up in a world that supports and believes in him! Give this book to the governors of all the states that have passed or want to pass anti-trans bills. Give it to every older person who doesn't understand, every classroom.
Uncle Bobby's Wedding by Sarah S. Brennan--picture book I really enjoyed this one. It's not about the ISSUE of gat marriage but about a young girl fearing change, the change in her special relationship with her uncle. I can relate to Chloe. I had a special uncle and I was around before he married and had kids. Not sure I've gotten over my cousins stealing my thunder though. I love how this book is about something any kid can relate to and Chloe just happens to have two uncles.
The illustrations by Lucia Soto are nice. The people look like people and the pictures are very colorful.
It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity by Theresa Thorn --picture book
Banned by the anti-critical race theory conservatives in Central York, Pa., (later overturned) this book is about a young Black girl, perhaps newly arrived from West Africa or the Caribbean. She's dismayed that her new teacher can't pronounce her name and other kids made fun of her. Her mother teaches her that names are a song. She siiiinnggs each name and explains the meaning behind it. Because Africans had their history and names stolen from them, they had to invent new ones. The mother teaches her daughter these names and the meanings behind them. The girl then takes that lesson to school where the teacher can pronounce all the name - even Siobahn (really?) except hers. The girl teaches the teacher and students exactly what her mother taught her and sings out each child's name.
In the back of the book is a glossary of names and meanings. The author explains not every person pronounces the name the same way so ask how they want it to be said. (yes, why is Bob=BAWB? My uncle's name is "BAHB!" actually even though you'd think with the Massachusetts accent it would be "BAWB".) I THINK the real reason this book is banned is because one of the names is Trayvon. The author states she included this name in honor of Trayvon Martin, an innocent victim of gun violence. Unfortunately this section doesn't come up very well on the e-book. Some lines run together.
The illustrations are digital but still quite lovely. The colors swirl and dance with the names. The mother wears a headscarf indicating she's from somewhere else. The people come in all skin tones, even the light skinned people come in pale and paler.
The illustrations by Lucia Soto are nice. The people look like people and the pictures are very colorful.
It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity by Theresa Thorn --picture bookThis is a non-fictionish book explaining gender identity, pronouns, and everything you need to know about gender identity. The explanations are simple and easy to understand. I really like the diverse illustrations showing all kinds of kids. This book is for any kid, to teach them that it's OK to speak up and don't be afraid to be yourself-whoever you are- he/him, she/her, they/them, trans, non-binary, cisgender. Includes some helpful terms to know, a note about pronouns, some helpful resources, more helpful resources, author's note, illustrator's note. I actually want to give this to the older people in my life who just don't understand gender is a spectrum and gender identity is fluid.
This book has been challenged of course with mixed results. Banned in Florida of course but kept on the shelves in Rockwood, MO school district. It was quietly pulled from the shelves in Lebanon and Lancaster counties, PA. In Nebraska, the book was linked with others containing graphic content and a board member felt uncomfortable reading content aloud including the line from the book “When a baby is born, the parents make a guess as to the child’s gender. As the child gets older, they can choose their identity.”
This book has been challenged of course with mixed results. Banned in Florida of course but kept on the shelves in Rockwood, MO school district. It was quietly pulled from the shelves in Lebanon and Lancaster counties, PA. In Nebraska, the book was linked with others containing graphic content and a board member felt uncomfortable reading content aloud including the line from the book “When a baby is born, the parents make a guess as to the child’s gender. As the child gets older, they can choose their identity.”
Your Name Is a Song by Jamiliah Thomkins-Bigelow -- Picture book
Banned by the anti-critical race theory conservatives in Central York, Pa., (later overturned) this book is about a young Black girl, perhaps newly arrived from West Africa or the Caribbean. She's dismayed that her new teacher can't pronounce her name and other kids made fun of her. Her mother teaches her that names are a song. She siiiinnggs each name and explains the meaning behind it. Because Africans had their history and names stolen from them, they had to invent new ones. The mother teaches her daughter these names and the meanings behind them. The girl then takes that lesson to school where the teacher can pronounce all the name - even Siobahn (really?) except hers. The girl teaches the teacher and students exactly what her mother taught her and sings out each child's name.
In the back of the book is a glossary of names and meanings. The author explains not every person pronounces the name the same way so ask how they want it to be said. (yes, why is Bob=BAWB? My uncle's name is "BAHB!" actually even though you'd think with the Massachusetts accent it would be "BAWB".) I THINK the real reason this book is banned is because one of the names is Trayvon. The author states she included this name in honor of Trayvon Martin, an innocent victim of gun violence. Unfortunately this section doesn't come up very well on the e-book. Some lines run together.
The illustrations are digital but still quite lovely. The colors swirl and dance with the names. The mother wears a headscarf indicating she's from somewhere else. The people come in all skin tones, even the light skinned people come in pale and paler.
