Texas: If You Can't Ban Books, Ban Authors

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Secular and religious authorities have been attempting to ban books ever since people have been writing them. In Germany, where Johann Gutenberg invented the printing press, the first official censorship office was established within decades of the innovation. In the U.S., Anthony Comstock, considered to be the pioneer of modern American censorship, persuaded Congress to enact the Comstock laws, which banned the mailing of materials found to be "lewd, indecent, filthy or obscene." Under those laws, the works of literary giants such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and John Steinbeck were censored. Nowadays, beloved characters ranging from Harry Potter to Captain Underpants are frequent targets of censorship.

But banning authors?


But it's her no-holds-barred approach that has ignited the current controversy. Upon learning that Hopkins was scheduled to speak at this school year's festival, several parents complained to the school board. The superintendent, after consulting with the head librarian, instructed the festival's organizers to remove Hopkins from the roster and rescind the invitation.

Since her books are available in Humble libraries, and because she had appeared at high schools in the district last year, Hopkins was shocked by the snub. After much soul-searching, she reached out to the other young-adult authors who were scheduled to participate. Pete Hautman, who in years past had been disinvited from appearances elsewhere after his work was deemed "inappropriate," withdrew from the festival. Then, in a show of solidarity, Matt de la Pena, Melissa de la Cruz, Brian Meehl and Tera Lynn Childs all followed suit. The district, in turn, canceled the event altogether. "As authors," Hopkins recently blogged, "we must maintain a unified voice against the idea that one person, or even a few, has the right to decide for everyone else what they are allowed to read, or what information they can have access to."



"When middle school parents challenge books, it's often a last gasp to stay involved," says Camille Powell, a Houston area school librarian whose BookMoot website is a go-to destination for educators and kid lit aficionados. "Elementary schools are fairly responsive to parental input. However, the junior high transition years are frustrating and difficult for parents as their control over their children and the school gradually erodes."

Like many, Powell was disheartened by the turn of events in Humble. However, she remains hopeful that the festival can be salvaged and believes the opportunity exists for a valuable teaching moment. "There could be a forum," Powell says, "where parents would be able to ask questions, raise concerns and share views and opinions. What could be more worthwhile than an impassioned, thoughtful tussle over books and how they affect us?"

Hopkins says she'd welcome the chance to participate in such a discussion. "I would pay my own way," Hopkins says. "We need to take back the dialogue. A misguided few cannot be permitted to dictate what's best for an entire community. These young people are depending on us."