Book Censorship Cases on the Rise: Kids’ Right to Read Project

By Dianna Dilworth 

NCACKids’ Right to Read Project has revealed that book censorship is on the rise in school districts across the U.S. this year. In fact, according to a report in Shelf Awareness, the organization saw a 53 percent increase in cases in 2013, as compared to 2012.

Many respected titles are among the lists of books that members of communities are trying to ban. For example, the most current case involves a North Carolina county trying to ban Alice Walker’s Pulitzer-Prize winning novel The Color Purple from their school district.

Here is more about that case from the National Coalition Against Censorship’s website:

After hearing complaints from parents, Pat Sykes as well as fellow commissioner Marty Cooke have made it their goal to see to the removal of the book. Mr. Cooke is married to a member of the Brunswick County school board. A review committee established by West Brunswick High School has already upheld the use of the book. Ms. Sykes appealed that decision to the commissioner, who also held the book should remain. Now the book will face a vote from the school board.