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The Scholastic Book Fair is discontinuing a separate catalog of books on race and gender after facing backlash over its contribution to censorship, per the HuffPost.
The news comes after Scholastic, a publishing company known to hold school book fairs across the country, announced earlier this month a new, separate catalog called "Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice," which included 64 titles on race and gender. Elementary schools had the ability to opt in or out of the race and gender catalog for their book fairs.
Critics said the catalog would contribute to right-wing censorship of books since schools had the option whether to include it at their book fairs.
Scholastic clarified that not all of their diverse books were included in the catalog and the separate collection was intended to make sure kids had access to books being targeted by bans across the country.
“Because Scholastic Book Fairs are invited into schools, where books can be purchased by kids on their own, these laws create an almost impossible dilemma: back away from these titles or risk making teachers, librarians, and volunteers vulnerable to being fired, sued, or prosecuted,” Scholastic previously said in a statement. “We don’t pretend this solution is perfect ― but the other option would be to not offer these books at all ― which is not something we’d consider.”
PEN America, a free speech organization and partner of Scholastic, urged the company to find a different solution to increase access to diverse books.
“Sequestering books on these topics risks depriving students and families of books that speak to them,” PEN America wrote in a statement. “It will deny the opportunity for all students to encounter diverse stories that increase empathy, understanding, and reflect the range of human experiences and identities which are essential underpinnings of a pluralistic, democratic society.”
Following the backlash, Scholastic issued an apology for its separate catalog and said that it would be discontinued starting in January. The company also promised to “redouble our efforts to combat the laws restricting children’s access to books.”
“I want to apologize on behalf of Scholastic,” Ellie Berger, president of Scholastic Trade Publishing, said in a statement. “Even if the decision was made with good intention, we understand now that it was a mistake to segregate diverse books in an elective case. We sincerely apologize to every author, illustrator, licensor, educator, librarian, parent, and reader who was hurt by our action.”
Jonathan Friedman, director of PEN America’s free expression and education program, applauded Scholastic's move to discontinue the catalog.
“Scholastic recognized that, as difficult a bind as this pernicious legislation created, the right answer was not to become an accessory to censorship,” Friedman said in a statement. “Scholastic is an essential source of knowledge and a delight for countless children. We are glad to see them champion the freedom to read.”
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