Banned Books

Karina and Matthew talk about why books get banned, what book titles appear on ALA’s Most Challenged Books list, and why Banned Books Week is a great time for celebrating. Joining is special guest Sonali Kumar, a librarian in Washington, DC and the author of the Unschooled Librarian blog. This episode is sponsored by Malamander by Thomas Taylor and illustrated by Tom Booth. Available from Walker Books U.S., We are also sponsored by Chronicle Books. And by our Book Riot Mystery/Thriller Giveaway. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter!

RELEVANT LINKS:

The Unschooled Librarian (blog) Sonali Kumar on Twitter (@unschooledlib) Banned Books Week Top Ten Most Challenged Books Lists Top 11 Most Challenged Books of 2018 (video) Why Your Kids Should Read Banned Books It’s Banned Books Week again. Can we stop yelling at each other about it? (Jacqueline Woodson talking about banned books in the Washington Post)

BOOKS DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW:

Picture Books:

Skippyjon Jones series written and illustrated by Judy Schachner Captain Underpants series written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings; illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Kristyna Litten

Middle Grade:

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume Go With the Flow by Karen Schneemann and Lily Williams (out January 14, 2020, First Second) Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor All the Days Past, All the Days to Come by Mildred D. Taylor (out on January 7, 2020) Let us know what books or topics you’ve been sharing this week, or if you have a suggestion or book recommendation for an upcoming episode. Find us on email (kidlitthesedays@bookriot.com), Twitter (@KarinaYanGlaser and @MatthewWinner), or Instagram (@KarinaIsReadingAndWriting and @MatthewCWinner).