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A4 U.S. NEWS
Tuesday 5 april 2022
Library study finds ‘challenged’ books soared in 2021

By HILLEL ITALIE book available in their li-
AP National Writer braries or used in instruction
NEW YORK (AP) — Deborah and allow parents, DeSantis
Caldwell-Stone, director of said, “to blow the whistle.”
the American Library As- Kobabe and Evison noted
sociation’s Office for Intel- during recent interviews an
lectual Freedom, has never irony of their books being
been so busy. targeted: Neither set out
“A year ago, we might to write a story for young
have been receiving one, people.
maybe two reports a day But they gained a follow-
about a book being chal- ing among students with
lenged at a library. And the help of the American
usually those calls would Library Association, which
be for guidance on how has given each book an
to handle a challenge or Alex Award for works “writ-
for materials that support ten for adults that have
the value of the work be- special appeal to young
ing challenged,” Caldwell- adults, ages 12 through 18.”
Stone told The Associated “I think a big part of our
Press. books getting so much
“Now, we’re getting three, attention is that they’re
four, five reports a day, award winners and ended
many in need of support Amanda Darrow, director of youth, family and education programs at the Utah Pride Center, up being purchased by
and some in need of a poses with books on Dec. 16, 2021, that have been the subject of complaints from parents in Salt libraries all over the coun-
Lake City.
great deal of support.” Associated Press try,” Kobabe said.
“We’re on the phone con- Others on the ALA list, virtu-
stantly,” she added. The actual total for last legislatures enact more Both have been singled out ally all cited for LGBTQ or ra-
Accounts of book bannings year is likely much higher restrictions. Last week, the by Republican officials. cial themes, include Angie
and attempted book ban- — the ALA collects data Georgia legislature passed Last fall in Virginia, Glenn Thomas’ bestselling “The
nings, along with threats through media accounts a bill that would acceler- Youngkin backed a local Hate U Give,” centered
against librarians, have and through cases it learns ate the process for remov- school board’s banning of on a police shooting of a
soared over the past year about from librarians and ing books seen as “harmful the two books during his Black teen; George John-
and the ALA has included educators and other com- to minors.” successful run for gover- son’s “All Boys Aren’t Blue,”
some numbers in its annual munity members. “Nothing would surprise nor. Around the same time, Juno Dawson’s “This Book
State of America’s Libraries Books preemptively pulled me,” Caldwell-Stone says. South Carolina Gov. Henry Is Gay” and Susan Kuklin’s
Report, released Monday. by librarians — out of fear The two most challenged McMaster supported a “Beyond Magenta.” Two
The association found 729 of community protest or books on the ALA’s top 10 school board’s decision to older works that have been
challenges — affecting concern for their jobs — list have been in the news remove “Gender Queer.” on the list before also ap-
nearly 1,600 books — at and challenges never re- often: Maia Kobabe’s In Florida recently, Gov. pear: Sherman Alexie’s au-
public schools and libraries ported by libraries are not graphic memoir about Ron DeSantis criticized tobiographical novel “The
in 2021, more than double included. sexual identity, “Gender “Gender Queer” and Absolutely True Diary of a
2020’s figures and the high- The number could well grow Queer,” and Jonathan Evi- “Lawn Boy” upon signing Part-Time Indian” and No-
est since the ALA began again in 2022, Caldwell- son’s “Lawn Boy,” a com- a law that would force ele- bel laureate Toni Morrison’s
compiling challenges more Stone said, as conserva- ing-of-age novel narrated mentary schools to provide debut novel “The Bluest
than 20 years ago. tive-led school boards and by a young gay man. a searchable list of every Eye.”q

Parkland, Florida, school shooter’s jury

selection begins

staff members at a Park- more could be brought spoke only briefly, waiv-
land, Florida, high school. before Scherer, prosecu- ing his right to participate
Eighteen members of the tors and Cruz’s attorneys directly in the screening
first panel of 60 prospec- for preliminary screening. process.
tive jurors survived the only The expected two-month Eight parents and other
question they were asked process will pick 12 pan- family members of some
by Circuit Judge Elizabeth elists plus eight alternates. victims sat together in the
Scherer: Could they serve Cruz, 23, pleaded guilty courtroom.
in a trial that is expected to in October to the Feb. 14, When prospective jurors
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz last from June to Septem- 2018, massacre at Marjory are brought back in a few
enters the courtroom before jury pre-selection in the penalty ber? The 18 will be brought Stoneman Douglas High weeks, they will be asked
phase of his trial at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort back in several weeks for School, meaning the jury whether they can judge
Lauderdale, Fla. on Monday, April 4, 2022.
Associated Press questioning about wheth- will only decide if he re- the case fairly. They also
er they could judge Cruz ceives a death sentence will be asked if they can
By TERRY SPENCER began Monday with pre- fairly and their views on or life without parole. vote for the death penalty
Associated Press liminary screening for the the death penalty. Two Cruz sat between his at- if the evidence supports
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. panel that will determine more groups are expect- torneys, wearing a gray that verdict, but don’t be-
(AP) — Jury selection in whether Nikolas Cruz will ed to be screened Mon- sweater and an anti-viral lieve it should be manda-
the deadliest U.S. mass be put to death for mur- day. Court officials have face mask, four sheriff’s tory for murder. Those who
shooting ever to go to trial dering 17 students and said 1,500 candidates or deputies sitting nearby. He can’t will be dismissed. q