Scholastic allows elementary schools to exclude books on race and LGBTQ+ in response to state laws
state laws and pending legislation targeting books related to LGBTQ identities and racism, Scholastic, the renowned children's book publisher, has taken a notable decision. This year's Scholastic book fairs will grant elementary schools the option to exclude certain books that address these sensitive topics, as stated by the company in a recent announcement.
Scholastic has acknowledged the challenges posed by various state laws restricting books that discuss LGBTQ identities and racism.
To address this issue, the company has introduced a collection of 64 titles named «Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice.» These titles have been carefully selected, representing works that Scholastic stands by, even though they are most likely to be restricted under the new laws.
The company's spokesperson, speaking to CNN, explained that schools now have the choice to either exclude the entire collection during book fairs or make them available for families to explore while shopping. Additionally, schools can also opt to order individual titles from the collection.
Scholastic's list of books for elementary schools, as shared with CNN, includes a diverse selection of titles featuring characters of color and authored by individuals from diverse backgrounds.
