Banned and Challenged Books

[View this email online]( [NPR Books]( January 14, 2023 by [Meghan Collins Sullivan]( This week – books being banned and challenged in the U.S., authors on their favorite books, and books on dance. Kaz Fantone/NPR In the last couple years, efforts to have certain books pulled from school curriculums and library shelves have risen dramatically. The books being challenged often deal with race or gender or sexuality. PEN America, a group that advocates for freedom of expression, says more than 1,600 books about gender and race were banned in more than 130 districts between 2021 and 2022 in what it calls a growing movement to [censor books in schools](. Taken together, the bans impacted some 4 million students at more than 5,000 schools. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- Over the past few weeks, we’ve interviewed some of the authors whose books have been challenged. They’ve also written exclusive essays for NPR about their experiences. You can find them [here](. You can also hear all of our interviews with these authors on our [Book of the Day]( podcast this upcoming week. Meanwhile, since author Nikki Grimes’ memoir Ordinary Hazards came out in 2019, it has been challenged in school districts around the country because of Grimes' honesty about her experiences with foster care and abuse. We [profiled]( her as she published her 103rd book. We all have favorite books and favorite authors. But do you ever wonder what your favorite authors’ favorite books are? The hosts at All Things Considered asked a few authors this exact question. [Here’s]( what they said. Meghan Collins Sullivan/NPR This week we’re also considering that it's not often you find whole sections of bookstores or libraries devoted to books on dance. But this doesn't mean that there's a shortage of good books on the topic. So we’re taking a moment to [highlight]( some from 2022, which was a particularly prosperous year for books about ballet. You’ll find so many NPR interviews with authors on our Book of the Day podcast, too. So take a listen and let it inspire your next book pick! You can find us [here](. Enjoy the weekend! Meghan Collins Sullivan --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Listen Live]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [books@npr.org](mailto:books@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! [They can sign up here.]( Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Music, Pop Culture, Code Switch and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Books emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]