UPDATE: Authors Joanna Ho and Caroline Kusin-Pritchard abruptly left their scheduled presentation at Country Club Elementary School today after being asked to censor their discussion on the controversial topic of book banning. The incident unfolded just minutes before their talk, part of a Bay Area school tour promoting their book, “The Day the Books Disappeared.”
The authors arrived at the school on October 17, 2023, but the San Ramon Valley Unified School District requested that they avoid discussing themes related to book banning, citing concerns over appropriateness for younger students in transitional kindergarten through third grade.
“Book banning is real, it’s happening everywhere, it’s happening in California,” stated Kusin-Pritchard, emphasizing the urgency of the issue. The school district expressed that while the book’s overarching messages of kindness and empathy were valuable, the focus on book banning was deemed unsuitable for children aged 4 to 9.
In a statement, the district explained they had attempted to communicate their concerns to the organization coordinating the authors’ visit. After receiving no response, they approached the authors directly upon their arrival. The authors chose to walk out instead of altering their presentation, a decision rooted in their commitment to integrity.
Kusin-Pritchard and Ho highlighted the positive feedback they have received from thousands of students nationwide, noting how children resonate with the book’s themes. “We won’t be changing our presentation if we’re giving the presentation,” Ho asserted, reinforcing their stance against censorship.
The authors’ departure raises critical questions about the ongoing debate over book banning and censorship in educational settings. Their book addresses uncomfortable historical truths, including issues of race and diverse family structures, aiming to foster awareness and understanding in communities.
As public discourse continues to evolve, the reactions to this incident may further ignite conversations about the role of literature in schools and the importance of discussing challenging topics.
With the situation developing, many will be watching how this incident influences future author visits and the broader conversation about educational censorship.
