Reflection on Banned Children’s Books

The American Library Association declared October 1-7 “Banned Books Week.” In this segment, Carol Roberts, head of Young People’s Services at Troy Public Library, discusses a few books commonly banned (both fiction and non-fiction), some of the topics that usually raise concern (hint: sexuality & LGBTQIA-related works), and the disservice to children in limiting their access to materials. She notes that she supports parents’ right to decide what their own children read, but that folks should not have the right to decide what others should have access to. Books discussed: A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo (Bundo & Twiss, 2018); It’s So Amazing: A Book About Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies and Families (non-fiction, Harris, 2014); Speak (Anderson, 1999); The Witches (Dahl, 2007); and The Fault in Our Stars (Green, 2012). For more info, see www.thetroylibrary.org or stop by the Banned Books display at the Troy Library’s main branch at 100 Second St. in downtown Troy. Produced by Brea Barthel for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.