Scholastic to Separate Book Fair Literature , Based on Race, Gender and Sexuality.
The children's book publisher will enact the change for its book fairs so that elementary school districts can decide what they want to include or exclude, 'The Guardian' reports. .
Even though Scholastic has opposed such changes in the past, districts will now have the option to select specific titles they'd like to showcase.
Meanwhile, Scholastic created a separate
"Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice" catalog.
There is now enacted or pending legislation
in more than 30 US states prohibiting certain
kinds of books from being in schools – mostly
LGBTQIA+ titles and books that engage with
the presence of racism in our country, Scholastic, via statement.
Because Scholastic Book Fairs are
invited into schools, where books can
be purchased by kids on their own, these
laws create an almost impossible dilemma:
back away from these titles or risk making teachers, librarians and volunteers vulnerable
to being fired, sued or prosecuted, Scholastic, via statement.
We don’t pretend this solution is
perfect – but the other option would
be to not offer these books at all –
which is not something we’d consider, Scholastic, via statement.
Scholastic has also joined PEN America in signing an open letter denouncing book bans.
However, PEN America disagrees with Scholastic's decision to create the separate catalog.
Sequestering books on these topics
risks depriving students and families
of books that speak to them. , PEN America, via statement.
It will deny the opportunity for all students
to encounter diverse stories that increase
empathy, understanding, and reflect the range
of human experiences and identities which
are essential underpinnings of a
pluralistic, democratic society, PEN America, via statement.
Scholastic hosts approximately 120,000 book fairs each year, 'The Guardian' reports.