These are the 10 most challenges of 2024

2024 had the third largest number of challenges since ALA began to follow in 1990, but the organization stresses that prohibitions and challenges are underdeveloped, so this number is probably higher. Many libraries are also now limited in the equipment they can bring and / or practice self -censorship by not acquiring titles that could be disputed.

As for targeted titles, it’s the same old story. Books on queer people and people of color receive the most censorship attempts, as well as everything that is considered controversial, whatever the literary quality or the relevance for the lives of young readers. Not all boys are blue And Gender queer At the top of the list: the two are memories of queer people whose very existence is deemed obscene by the banners of books. Even being a winning author of the Pulitzer Prize is not enough to move away from this list, such as the inclusion of The most blue eye By Toni Morrison, demonstrates.

Ellen Hopkins has two pounds in the top ten: her books are treating with adolescent struggles, such as dependence. Inspiration for the main character of Crank came from the experiences of her eldest daughter. In an interview Publishers WeeklyShe said, “I really want the two books (in the Crank series) to be an honest look at the depth and nature of this dependence. It is not so easy to shake, and I really wanted it to be very clear.”

It is only one of the many examples of banners of books believing that the real experiences of adolescents and children are obscene, more insulating those who have trouble – or, in the case of queer and bipoc readers, those who are looking for the community.

Looking for Alaska reached the list 20 years after its date of publication. You can find out more about its history with censorship over the decades in 20 years of ban Looking for Alaska.

The trial maintains that Doge’s actions against IML – including the dismissal of employees, the implementation of grant programs and the cessation of all the work of the Institute – was illegal and unconstitutional. He affirms that these actions violate article I and article II of the Constitution. The organizations also claim that these actions will lead “immediate and disastrous consequences for the complainants ALA and AFSCME as well as their members, including librarians, libraries and the public”, continues, continues, continues, continues, continues, continues

Nevada legislators presented a bill to prohibit prohibitions

Nevada legislators introduced AB 416, a bill that seeks to protect residents from public libraries equipment and prohibit censorship. He is supposed not only to protect the freedom to read, but also the freedom of the staff of the library to do his job without threat of harassment or prison. This makes the additional step, however, by introducing criminal consequences for people who try to “intimidate or harm others on library equipment in public schools, public libraries, library districts and higher education establishments”.

And, everything is based on facts. One of the sponsors of the bill, assembly Britney Miller, said: “This is not obscenity. The ALA (American Library Association) has already said that a third of the books that have been tempted to be censored concerned racism or the themes of racism. This is what this program really concerns. “

Learn more about Kunr.org.

Nearly 400 pounds have been deleted from US Naval Academy

Nearly 400 pounds have been removed from the US Naval Academy thanks to the Pentagon implementing Trump’s policies on what his administration considers “Dei”. Among the deleted books are classic titles, such as I know why the cage bird singsS by Maya Angelou.

Already, Democratic legislators – rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) And representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-P.), In particular-fight for American military institutions to maintain their academic rigor, their freedom and their rights to the first amendment. In a letter sent on Monday, they demanded to know the process for the hundreds of books removed, as well as the justification for withdrawal. They said: “This is a blatant attack on the first amendment and a clear effort to remove academic freedom and rigor to the United States naval academy. In addition, it has an alarming return to censorship of the McCarthy era.”

It is interesting to see how Book Banning went from the field of minors, specifically targeting the libraries of public schools from kindergarten to 12th year, and is now in the land of adults. The excuse for “wanting to protect children from inappropriate documents” does not quite resist when prohibited documents are in adult establishments such as the Naval Academy.

To find out more, visit Diversified education And USA today.

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This week, we highlight an article that celebrates the 100th anniversary of The Grand Gatsby! Revisit F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Classic (and the emblem of assigned reading) and get an intensive course on the history of the book, including the challenges encountered by its readers and adapters. Read the rest for an extract and become an All Access member to unlock the full message.

January 16, 2025, marked on 100^th anniversary of the publication of the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald The Grand Gatsby. The New York public library celebrated with a party, according to a special performance Broadway musical adaptation of the novel. Simon and Schuster recently released A new audio book with an introduction by Jesmyn Ward.

The theme of the novel to reinvent itself is timeless. The ideas of living a lie by reinventing yourself and making people who are callers are just as resonant today. How did this novel become so influential, especially on other American novels and an element of high school programs? Was it still a bestseller? What aspects of Gatsby Here, and which ones have aged terribly?

Fitzgerald’s original title for The Grand Gatsby was Tribalchio in West Egg. I think the publisher was right to change it. Tribalchio is a character of the old Roman work The Satyricon. Combined with the West Egg fictitious district, this reference is cryptic. Gatsby is now a full -fledged icon. He does not need a classic allusion for us to notice the theme of excessive wealth.

In a 2014 NPR interviewMaureen Corrigan, the author of So we read the rest: how the Grand Gatsby became and why he leaves, explained how Gatsby has become popular. The initial reception was mixed, ranging from the title “The last failure of Fitzgerald”, to modernist poets like TS Eliot saying that they loved it. When Fitzgerald died in 1940, Gatsby was unpopular (but not exhausted). A few years later, he was republished for American soldiers during the Second World War, and 123,000 copies were given to members of the army through Armed Services editions.

After the Second World War, Gatsby was no longer an obscure book with mixed criticism. It was considered a classic and has become a must of countless high school programs. Constance Grady wrote that Gatsby was ideal for many 20^th and the emphasis put by English teachers at the beginning of the 21st century on New criticism. It is an excellent choice for narrow readings of short passages and analyzing symbolism. However, the historical context is also crucial and should never be minimized, in particular in terms of bias.

The Grand Gatsby Perhaps condemns white supremacist theories but uses racist language elsewhere. Tom Buchanan reads white supremacist books and goes into racist diatribes. Daisy makes fun of him for that. It is easy to read this as condemning Tom’s global fanaticism. However, Fitzgerald also expressed racist and anti -Semitic views In real life.

Register to become a member of all access for only $ 6 / month, then click here to read the full and unlocked article. Increase your life in reading with all access members and explore a complete library of exclusive bonus content, including essential readings, deep dives and reading challenge recommendations.