Scholastic to Separate Book Fair Literature , Based on Race, Gender and Sexuality.<br />The children's book publisher will enact the change for its book fairs so that elementary school districts can decide what they want to include or exclude, 'The Guardian' reports. .<br />Even though Scholastic has opposed such changes in the past, districts will now have the option to select specific titles they'd like to showcase.<br />Meanwhile, Scholastic created a separate <br />"Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice" catalog.<br />There is now enacted or pending legislation <br />in more than 30 US states prohibiting certain <br />kinds of books from being in schools – mostly <br />LGBTQIA+ titles and books that engage with <br />the presence of racism in our country, Scholastic, via statement.<br />Because Scholastic Book Fairs are <br />invited into schools, where books can <br />be purchased by kids on their own, these <br />laws create an almost impossible dilemma: <br />back away from these titles or risk making teachers, librarians and volunteers vulnerable <br />to being fired, sued or prosecuted, Scholastic, via statement.<br />We don’t pretend this solution is <br />perfect – but the other option would <br />be to not offer these books at all – <br />which is not something we’d consider, Scholastic, via statement.<br />Scholastic has also joined PEN America in signing an open letter denouncing book bans.<br />However, PEN America disagrees with Scholastic's decision to create the separate catalog.<br />Sequestering books on these topics <br />risks depriving students and families <br />of books that speak to them. , PEN America, via statement.<br />It will deny the opportunity for all students <br />to encounter diverse stories that increase <br />empathy, understanding, and reflect the range <br />of human experiences and identities which <br />are essential underpinnings of a <br />pluralistic, democratic society, PEN America, via statement.<br />Scholastic hosts approximately 120,000 book fairs each year, 'The Guardian' reports.
