Posted on December 1, 2022 at 10:13 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek
Publishers Weekly shared a few pieces of note for those following the rise in book challenges across the US.
The good news, first: the organization We Need Diverse Books is offering $10,000 in grants to fight banning efforts.
Its Books Save Lives initiative is focusing the money on schools and libraries in underserved communities, so that they can purchase challenged books.
We Need Diverse Books noted that many targeted books come from diverse authors — and address diverse populations — hence its new initiative.
The group is also working with other organizations to produce education materials about censorship and book bans, in hopes of improving the conversation around such issues.
And for the bad news: a bill just recently proposed in the Texas Legislature would not only force publishers to create an "age-appropriate" rating system for books sold to the state's libraries, but it would also give state officials the power to change ratings ... and block school purchases from any noncompliant publisher.
PW notes that the bill was filed very early in the session and will be among the thousands of others under consideration — but it's still something to watch.
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Categories: Today in Books