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PEOPLE & ARTS Monday 16 april 2018
Asher and Alexie

books among most

objected to in 2017

By HILLEL ITALIE sons Why" to profanity and
AP National Writer sexual content in Alexie's
NEW YORK (AP) — Before book. James LaRue, who
allegations of sexual ha- runs the library association's
rassment, Jay Asher and Office for Intellectual Free-
Sherman Alexie were fac- dom, said that future chal-
ing criticisms of a different lenges could well be based
kind. on the authors themselves.
Asher's "Thirteen Reasons Last year, Bill Cosby's "Little
Why" and Alexie's "The Ab- Bill Books" were on the ALA
solutely True Diary of a Part- list because of multiple ac-
Time Indian" top the Ameri- cusations of sexual assault
can Library Association's list against the actor-comedi-
of "challenged" books from an.
2017, those most objected "I personally believe the
to by parents and other book is distinct from the au-
community members. The thor," LaRue said. "But when This Monday, May 15, 2017, file photo illustration shows the book "Thirteen Reasons Why" in Phoe-
list also includes Harper a librarian faces that kind nix.
Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" of challenge, my advice Associated Press
and one of last year's top- is to treat it like any other
selling young adult novels, kind of challenge. You look Over the past few months, by his literary agent and ex- est honors, the Carnegie
Angie Thomas' "The Hate U at the nature of the chal- several writers have had pelled from the Society of Medal, which had been
Give." lenge, consider the con- book deals and other proj- Children's Book Writers and awarded for his memoir
Complaints about books text and make the decision ects canceled or have Illustrators. Alexie ended up "You Don't Have to Say You
range from the theme of based on the needs of the been kicked out of organi- turning down one of the Love Me."
suicide in "Thirteen Rea- local community." zations. Asher was dropped library association's high- Continued on Page 31