Banned Books Month Guest Post from Bridget Birdsall: Blessed are the Authors Whose Books are Banned!
Coincidently, while waiting for a backordered copy of the first book banned in New Zealand in over twenty years, I was asked to write about censorship. A subject that inflames my own passion to protect the freedom of expression for all, and something I’ve experienced on a more subtle scale since the publication of DOUBLE EXPOSURE.
Sky Pony Press, November 2014.
Fortunately, Ted Dawe’s book INTO THE RIVER seems to be proving that even oceans away from my Midwestern domicile overt censorship, such as banning a book, even for the “interim,” may be as much a blessing as a curse.
Especially when public outcry brings the censors to their senses.
Moreover, if I’ve learned one thing as a writer over these past twenty years, it’s that readers’ love banned books, especially young readers. When I was a teen, I did. Even today, overtly banning a book makes me want to run out and read it, right away!
How about you?
Educators, librarians and other writers predicted that when DOUBLE EXPOSURE “came out” in the world, there would be those who would either love it or shun it. This has proven to be true, yet completely subjective and unpredictable.
Bridget Birdsall, January 2011.
I’ve had Junior High School educator’s order dozens of copies and invite me to speak at their schools. I’ve had shy seventh graders, including many who identify at LGBTQ, thank me for writing the book. Recently I learned that Mount Mary University students are required to read it for their graduate level novel class, and the book has been vetted with major recognition and awards. (*List below)Yet, at the same time, several teacher and librarian colleagues told me their high school administrators had quietly restricted the book’s access due to its “mature content.”
ORDINARY ANGELS —A story of survival, hope, and the enduring bond of siblings, even beyond death.
DOUBLE EXPOSURE —A story of an Intersex teen athlete, and standing in the power of one’s personhood.
IPPY Gold Medal Winner
Toffee / Wright Children’s Literature Award Winner
Golden Crown Literary Association “Goldie” Award Winner
Lambda Literary Award Finalist
Foreword Reviews INDIEFAB Silver Award Winner
Publisher’s Weekly list of top anti-bully books
Teen Choice & UW Big Read Nominations
Random House New Zealand, October 2013.
Concerns included its use of medically explicit terms for sexual organs, and it’s exploration of complicated social and gender issues, which “some teens might not be ready for.” One of these schools had been dealing with bullying issues and already experienced the suicide of a student who identified as transgender within the last year.
Unfortunately, less media-driven forms of censoring a book are generally far more effective than blatantly banning the book. Which is what happened with INTO THE RIVER.
Mr. Dawe, who teaches English in a New Zealand high school, says he wrote the book with the hope of reaching teenage readers, particularly boys, who generally had more interest in video games than literature. He also wanted to tackle the topic of bullying, which he described as a “social ill.”
Despite being awarded the prestigious 2013 New Zealand Post Children’s Book Award, receiving no prior complaints and being approved by New Zealand’s Film and Literature Board of Review (FLBR) for older teen readers, a conservative group known as Family First filed a complaint citing concerns about sexually explicit content, drug use and language.
Check out similar to challenges and concerns received by the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom. (*See table of 2014 challenged books)
INTO THE RIVER was subsequently banned from classrooms, books stores and libraries. Anyone caught distributing or exhibiting the books could face heavy fines, some up to the equivalent of $10,000. Mr. Dawe may have been frustrated and dismayed at this initial turn of events, but as soon as the word got out, the tide began to turn and today, author Ted Dawe has cause for celebration
After much debate and legal wrangling the restriction was lifted on September14, 2015.
New Zealand’s Classification Office lifted the restriction because they determined that it “cannot sit comfortably with the right to freedom of expression” and they went on to explain that “the suitability of the publication for young persons can best be determined by libraries, schools and parents.” (Read the full review of the Censors decision here)
In my opinion, Mr. Dawe’s hopes for the book have come to fruition. The banning of INTO THE RIVER has captured international attention, which I predict will help his book find those hard to reach young men in New Zealand, and elsewhere around the world. Not to mention those of us of all ages and genders who still love to read banned books, whomever the protagonist may be.
DOUBLE EXPOSURE and its multiple awards!
Thank you, Ted Dawe, for helping a new generation of readers and reminding the world that it critical for us to provide safe spaces for young people to explore and reflect on issues of race, culture, class, sexual orientation, identity, and all forms of bullying, discrimination and harassment. Even on the sad realities of drug or alcohol abuse.
The gift of good literature is that it helps us all become a little more human. It creates an opportunity and provides a safe place where we can learn a little bit more about whom we are, who we want to be, perhaps even who we hope to become.
For those tempted to censor books for young readers, especially those educators still concerned about DOUBLE EXPOSURE‘s(or any other authors’ book) suitability in your classrooms, I ask that you to please talk to your librarians, teachers and most importantly, your students!
Listen to what they have to say. What they want to read. What is relevant in their lives, and try as much as you can, to refrain from making the very decisions that good literature will make them better qualified to make on their own. If you are tempted to shun or censor anyone’s book, please do it all the way, bless it by banning it.
Bridget’s son, Quinn.
(Side bar from son Quinn, a teen who was introduced to good literature and today, at 25, still an avid reader…)
*The top ten most frequently challenged books of 2014 are:
1) THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN, by Sherman Alexie
Reasons: anti-family, cultural insensitivity, drugs/alcohol/smoking, gambling, offensive language, sex education, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group, violence. Additional reasons: “depictions of bullying”
2) PERSEPOLIS, by Marjane Satrapi
Reasons: gambling, offensive language, political viewpoint. Additional reasons: “politically, racially, and socially offensive,” “graphic depictions”
3) AND TANGO MAKES THREE, Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Reasons: Anti-family, homosexuality, political viewpoint, religious viewpoint, unsuited for age group. Additional reasons: “promotes the homosexual agenda”
4) THE BLUEST EYE, by Toni Morrison
Reasons: Sexually explicit, unsuited for age group. Additional reasons: “contains controversial issues”
5) IT’S PERFECTLY NORMAL, by Robie Harris
Reasons: Nudity, sex education, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group. Additional reasons: “alleges it child pornography”
6) SAGA, by Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staples
Reasons: Anti-Family, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited for age group. Additional reasons:
7) THE KITE RUNNER, by Khaled Hosseini
Reasons: Offensive language, unsuited to age group, violence
8) THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER, by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: drugs/alcohol/smoking, homosexuality, offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group. Additional reasons: “date rape and masturbation”
9) A STOLEN LIFE, by Jaycee Dugard
Reasons: drugs/alcohol/smoking, offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited for age group
10) DRAMA, by Raina Telgemeier
Reasons: sexually explicit
(Out of 311 challenges as recorded by the Office for Intellectual Freedom)
For more information on this list and banned books, read this article on ALA’s Banned Books Week Website.
Bridget Birdsall (with the proverbial elephant in the room).
Bridget Birdsall is an author, artist, educator, writing coach, creativity consultant and an inspirational speaker. Despite dyslexic challenges, Bridget made a midlife decision to pursue her passion to write books that touch hearts, especially young peoples’. She earned her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College and now teaches creative, contemplative, and business writing skills throughout the Midwest. Bridget is a warm, engaging, dynamic speaker who inspires others to ignite their own unique inner spark, tap into their own creative power, stand up to bullies in every form and share their stories with the world. Bridget is the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships. She resides in Madison, Wisconsin, with her partner, Roseann Sheridan and their dog Sophie. Bridget is known as a writer willing to tackle tough topics in literature and in life. Learn more at: bridgetbirdsall.com
