A group of teenage students in Pennsylvania, USA, have started up a Forbidden Book club to read books they have been told are banned in their schools. Last October, Texas Republican State Rep Matt Krause launched an investigation in to school libraries in his state and compiled a list of 850 books, demanding that schools reveal whether they had the titles in their libraries and how much money they had spent on the books. These books were mostly about sexuality or race. He argued the books, "might make students feel discomfort".
According to boingboing.net , here is the full list https://boingboing.net/2021/10/30/texas-lawmakers-considering-a-ban-on-850-books-heres-the-full-list.html
The list includes some of the books you might have read in No Outsiders lessons: Julian at the wedding by Jessica Love, Introducing Teddy by Jessica Walton, We are all born free by Amnesty International, And Tango makes three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell,
Joslyn, who is a 14 year old student at Kutztown Middle School, was inspired to start a group to read banned books and then talk about them; "These books are great works of literature and I really just didn't understand why so many people wanted to ban them. It's important that people read these books because it helps them grow."
Joslyn's Mum is fully supportive of the book club. Mum says, "Reading a book about racism doesn't make you racist and reading a book about gender identity isn't going to make you transgender. Reading a book only benefits you."
The club is held at Firefly bookstore, who allowed the teenagers to meet in their store. Jordan Busits, who works at the store, said, "Books are meant to say something about the author themselves, who they are are what their world views are, and by banning these books we are essentially banning their voices. We wanted the freedom where everyone could express their opinions without someone saying those opinions are wrong."
One of the first books the club read was "Melissa" by Alex Gino: "When people look at George they think they see a boy. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl. George thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's web. George really REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can't even try out for the part... because she's a boy."
Another was "Stamped: Racism, Anti racism and you" by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X Kendi: "Stamped reveals the history of racist ideas in America and inspires hope for an anti-racist future. It takes you on a race journey from then to now, shows you why we feel how we feel and why the poison of racism lingers. It also proves that while racist ideas have always been easy to fabricate and distribute, they can also be discredited."
- what do you see in the picture, what do you think is happening?
- what are books for?
- can books change lives?
- Can reading a book change you or turn you in to something?
- Why do you think some people are trying to ban children's books about LGBT awareness or race? Is it ok for adults to read these books? Why not children?
- Do you think these books can cause children discomfort? Why does Matt Krause say that?
- Why do you think Joselyn chose to start her book club?
- "Reading a book about racism doesn't make you racist and reading a book about gender identity isn't going to make you transgender. Reading a book only benefits you." what does this mean?
- "By banning these books we are essentially banning their (author) voices." what does this mean?
- Why do you think Joslyn's group read "Melissa" by Alex Gino?
- Melissa was first published as "George." Reading the blurb, why do you think the author decided to change the title of the book to Melissa?
- Why do you think the group chose to read, "Stamped"?
- "It also proves that while racist ideas have always been easy to fabricate and distribute, they can also be discredited." what does this mean, why do you think some people think children should not be allowed to read this book?
- what can we learn from Joslyn?
- why is this about No Outsiders?
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