Free Speech Groups Defend Graphic Novel Censored in Oklahoma Over ‘Adult Themes’

From the National Coalition Against Censorship:

NCAC, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) and 5 other organizations [National Council of Teachers of English, American Booksellers for Free Expression, American Assoc. of Publishers, Authors Guild and PEN America]committed to defending the freedom to read are protesting an Oklahoma school’s decision to remove a graphic novel from the school library after parents complained about its use of bad language and adult themes.
NCAC recommends the book be kept in district libraries and that the district revise its book challenge policy that removes books prior to a proper review.
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NCAC’s letter underlines that the presence of adult themes and bad language provides no justification for deeming a book unsuitable for school libraries. It highlights that Stuck in the Middle is critically acclaimed, and praised for its realistic, un-sanitized depiction of difficult situations that characterize the harder truths of teenage life. The letter also notes that a policy that responds to every book challenge by removing the book prior to any form of review runs the risk of leaving entire curriculums in shreds.

Read the Complete Article and Full Text of Letter Sent to School District

Filed under: Associations and Organizations, Companies (Publishers/Vendors), Libraries, News, School Libraries