Thread by @jzfriedman

Reminder that as Nov ends -- many books have still been removed from school libraries based on parents' demands. Some books have been returned to the shelves, but other removals still in effect. And now reports of 'soft censorship' going on, i.e. books not being ordered, etc /1

This remains very much an attack on books about LGBTQ+ identities and race. Just look at 3 places books are being removed en masse.

First: Virginia Beach. We @PENamerica sent a letter with @ncacensorship and others last month after books were removed. /2 ncac.org/news/virginia-…

We see the same pattern of books removed in Canyons, Utah. There, no one filed any complaint whatsoever. A parent just gave a list of books she was concerned about. poof-- 9 books gone from shelves. Same subjects targeted. /3 ncac.org/news/canyons-u…

Third, in Keller ISD Texas we now have a rotating set of books being publicly challenged. A slew were removed and others are being reviewed. You can follow along. Generally... it's the same books or books on the same themes. /4 kellerisd.net/Page/7364

There's a debate to be had about whether parents should have any "say" in school library stocks. I generally agree they should have a mechanism for this. But time and again, it's outrageous that rationale is being used to BAR access to books for all /5 sltrib.com/news/education…

And what's so concerning is it's the same kinds of books being attacked everywhere. Books that in many cases are a key means by which young people find themselves, grow. And all kinds of books are being swept up in this dragnet... /6

Including books about civil rights and lessons for students, as author @cnoxon describes here. Toni Morrison's on the banned list in VA Beach and Canyons UT. In Keller ISD they are now even reviewing "47" by Walter Moseley. /7
latimes.com/opinion/story/…

A bit of a quieter week with less public talk about burning books (!) yes, but I have no doubt these issues are still roiling schools, teachers, and librarians, making their jobs more difficult. /8 statesman.com/story/news/202…