The season of book challenges and bans continues for CBLDF, the Kids’ Right to Read Project, and allied groups, which yesterday issued a letter in defense of two books targeted for removal from 9th and 10th grade classrooms in Springfield, Massachusetts. The books, The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore and frequently-challenged The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, are due to be reviewed by the Student and Parent Concerns Subcommittee of the Springfield Public School District. Two subcommittee meetings have been scheduled in October and November of this year but were subsequently cancelled–one due to Superstorm Sandy, and the other for reasons not stated on the city’s website.
Details on this particular challenge are scarce, but it’s certainly nothing new for Absolutely True Diary author Alexie, whose Guernica Magazine interview about the frequent censorship of his books was covered here a few months back. Moore, on the other hand, is a new initiate to the challenged-books club and has sent his own letter to the Springfield school committee in defense of his memoir.
The entirety of the letter from CBLDF and friends follows:
This holiday season, The Will & Ann Eisner Family Foundation is encouraging everyone who believes in the CBLDF’s important work protecting the freedom to read comics to become a member or give a gift membership in the organization. When you do, they will contribute $10 for each new membership and $5 for every renewing membership made from now until December 31, so join today!
Maren Williams is a reference librarian who enjoys free speech and rescue dogs.