It is important for children and teens to be exposed to different people and ideas, they said. More: What is a sex act in Iowa? And how would it affect a likely school book ban? We found out: They came out as nonbinary after reading 'Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women and the Rest of Us' by Kate Bornstein and learning the phrase 'genderqueer.' 'That was my main understanding of myself.' Growing up, Gino found literature that was 'queer coded' but nothing similar to 'Melissa.' Even Gino's own book does not mirror their lived experiences because they are nonbinary and Melissa - a transgender girl - is binary. Gino does not know how they would have turned out if books like 'Melissa' had been available when they were young. 'Because right now trans people are unsafe, and there might be discomfort with experiencing something that you're not used to thinking about.' 'All I had was different,' author of transgender children's book says 'A really important point is that it is important for people to be uncomfortable in order for other people to be safe,' Gino said. Gino felt the scene was written in an age-appropriate way. Even Melissa is uncomfortable thinking about her own body. She immersed her body in the warm water and tried not to think about what was between her legs, but there it was, bobbing in front of her.')Ī story about a transgender person cannot be told without also talking about their body, Gino said. Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content sex education claims that it is sexually explicit.(The scene: 'She took off her shirt while the tub filled waiting until the last possible moment to take off her pants and underwear. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl(tie) by Jesse Andrews Reasons: Claims that it is sexually explicit drugs. A Court of Mist and Fury (tie) by Sarah J.Reason: Claims that it is sexually explicit. Reasons: Claims that it is sexually explicit profanity. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.Reasons: Claims that it is sexually explicit LGBTQIA+ content depiction of sexual abuse drugs profanity.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.

Reasons: Claims that it is sexually explicit LGBTQIA+ content. Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content claims that it is sexually explicit. Reasons: Depictions of sexual abuse Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (EDI) content. Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content claims that it is sexually explicit.

Of the record 2,571 unique titles targeted for censorship, the most challenged and reasons cited for censoring the books are listed below. The unparalleled number of reported book challenges in 2022 nearly doubles the 729 book challenges reported in 2021. The theme for Banned Books Week 2023 is 'Let Freedom Read.'ĪLA documented 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources in 2022, the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling data about censorship in libraries more than 20 years ago.

Books by alex gino