In May 2024, a school district in Florida banned a book from its library after a parent raised concerns about it. The book, which was titled “Ban This Book,” tells the story of a student’s effort to get her favorite book unbanned. Alan Gratz wrote the book.
In February 2024, a member of Moms for Liberty, a parent rights group known for its right-wing ideals, issued a complaint against the book. In the complaint, the parent claimed that the book exhibited sexual activity and was encouraging kids to participate in social justice activities. Initially, when the complaint was filed the school district committee decided against removing it from its library.
However, in May 2024, the Indian River County school conducted an election about the future of “Ban This Book” in its library. The election ended in a decision to get the book off the shelves.
On Wednesday, June 12, 2024, the author Gratz spoke about the ban, alongside other book bans. Gratz said he was not new to having his book banned, but not to this extent. He claimed the ban was brought to his attention by an advocacy organization protesting the ban.
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Gratz said the exciting fact about the book was that the title of the book had been able to keep people from banning it initially. Gratz said that nobody had the power to decide what another person should read except one’s parents. However, parents should not dictate to other parents what books their kids are allowed access to.
Although the school board members have yet to officially release a statement, the parent who filed the complaint, Jennifer Pippin, the head of the Indian River chapter of Moms for Liberty, said she wanted the removal of any book with titles with sexual references.
POLL—Should Public Schools Include Critical Race Theory and Sex Education in Their Curriculum?
She said the book title drew attention to other banned books, especially those with sexual themes. Pippins concluded that parents who were interested in the book could get them in public libraries or place orders online.
This recent complaint is one of 245 book challenges she has filed on behalf of her organization. According to Pippins, she filed the complaint on behalf of other members to ensure their safety.
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Since 2020, debates over teaching race, history, and sexuality in schools have led to book controversies due to culture wars. According to the American Library Association, there was a 65% increase in the number of books challenged in the US compared to 2023.
Seventeen states tried to ban over 1700 books. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis initially eased book challenge laws, then tightened restrictions in April 2024.
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