"Ban This Book" by Alan Gratz has been removed from the Indian River County school district in Florida following a school board vote. The book narrates the experience of fourth-grader Amy Anne Ollinger, who learns that the school has banned her most cherished book. Amy responds by building a hidden library of banned books, which leads her in a battle against censorship and the freedom to read. Ironically, the book itself became the subject of a real-life book ban.
Jennifer Pippin, a parent and chair of the local Moms for Liberty chapter - a far-right organization known for advocating book bans - challenged the book. Her challenge led the school board to vote 3-2 in favor of its removal despite the district's book review committee having vetted and approved it for school libraries. Board members opposing the book cited concerns that it encouraged rebellion against school board authority and referenced other banned books, prompting their decision.
Two board members who voted for the ban, Jacqueline Rosario and Gene Posca, had Moms for Liberty support during their campaigns. Kevin McDonald, a recent appointee of Governor Ron DeSantis, cast the third "yes" vote.
McDonald took over after Brian Barefoot resigned, thinking he was moving out of his district. Barefoot attempted to rescind his resignation upon realizing he was still within the district. Despite this, he was not successful. Barefoot had been on DeSantis' list of school board members to target in the upcoming election for allegedly not protecting parental rights or shielding students from "woke" ideologies.
Responding to the ban, Gratz noted the irony of banning his book for discussing book bans. He suggested that the board's actions indicated an awareness and discomfort with their censorship efforts, leading them to remove a book that critiques such practices.
READ ALSO: Francis Maier's New Book 'True Confessions' Explores the Current State of the US Catholic Church
Book bans have been increasing in the United States, with significant involvement from groups like Moms for Liberty. In 2023, Moms for Liberty bypassed the School Board's book review policy. Members read excerpts from previously challenged books to the board, resulting in the unanimous removal of at least 20 books from school libraries for being too sexually explicit.
In 2022, the School Board removed 5 of the 156 books the local Moms for Liberty chapter challenged. The remaining books were returned to school libraries, with some relocated to high schools and requiring parent permission for checkout.
Jennifer Pippin criticized the provision of sexually explicit content to students, condemning the adults who reinstated many of these books. She said parents, grandparents, and taxpayers had to take matters into their own hands by reading the explicit sections aloud at the podium because the board had not acted responsibly.
According to a 2023 PEN America study, 81% of book bans between July 2022 and June 2023 occurred in districts with a local chapter of groups like Moms for Liberty. As a result of increased threats to public library books, the American Library Association estimated a 92% increase in titles targeted for censorship in 2023 compared to 2022.
In 2023, 4,240 distinct book titles were requested to be censored, while 1,247 requests were made to restrict library resources. This surge in book challenges reflects an escalating movement to limit access to diverse and potentially controversial literature in educational and public institutions nationwide.
RELATED ARTICLE: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Law Limiting Challenges on Books and Classroom Materials