CBLDF Banned Books Week Handbook 2016

B A B N A N E N D E

CBLDF PRESENTS:

D BOOKS

WEEK

HANDBOOK 2016

STAFF DIRECTOR’S She Changed Comics: The Untold Story ofNOTE the Women Who Changed Charles Brownstein, Executive Director Alex Cox, Deputy Director Free Expression in Comics Georgia Nelson, Development Manager Happy Banned Books Week! Every year, communities come together in Betsy Gomez, Editorial Director Maren Williams, Contributing Editor this national of the freedom to read!

This year, Banned Books ©2016 Comic celebration Book Legal Defense Fund. Text of individual articles Caitlin McCabe, Contributing Editor Week indicated celebratesauthor. diversity.

It’s hard©torespective believe, but books by and about di©2016 All artwork rights holder unless Robert Corn-Revere, Legal Counsel otherwise specified. All rights Disclaimer: titles, series, verse communities make up reserved. more than half of allAllbook challenges.

This and herein Week are copyrighted their owners, BOARD OF DIRECTORS year,characters Banned Books asks why!toJoin usrespective in celebrating diverse books Larry Marder, President creators, andin publishers.

No portion of thisa publication may be reproand authors your community by being part of the Banned Books Week Milton Griepp, Vice President STAFF duced or transmitted, in any form or by any 25 means, without express celebration that will take place September through October 1, 2016!

Jeff Abraham, Treasurer Charles Executive Director DaleBrownstein, Cendali, Secretary written permission of the copyright holders.

L. Holm Cox, Deputy Director Launched in 1982 to draw attention to the problem of book censorship Alex Jennifer Reginald Hudlin Nelson, Development Manager in thelayout United Banned Books Week is held during the last week of Georgia Katherine Book byStates, Betsy Gomez.

Betsy Gomez,Keller Editorial Director Paul Levitz September. By being a part of it, you can make a difference in protecting Maren Williams, Contributing Editor Christina Merkler the freedombytoCharles read! Howitt and Julie Patterson.

Caitlin McCabe, Copyedited Chris Powell Contributing Editor Jeff Smith

In this handbook, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund provides you with all Robert Corn-Revere, Legal Counsel Cover design by Sasha Head.

ADVISORY BOARD the tools you need to prepare your Banned Books Week celebration. We’ll BOARD OF DIRECTORS Neil Gaiman & Denis Kitchen, Co-Chairs talk about how books are banned, show you some specific cases in which LarrySusan Alston Marder, President Cover art: Miss Fury by Tarpé Mills. Excerpted from strip originally Matt Groening comics were challenged, and provide you with on tips to celebrate Milton Griepp, Vice President published March 21, 1943. Courtesy the Library of hands American Comics / Chip Kidd Jeff Abraham, Treasurer Banned Books Week in your community.

Jim Lee IDW Publishing.

DaleFrenchy Cendali, Secretary Lunning

Holm It’s hard to believe that books are still banned in the United States, and yet Jennifer FrankL.Miller LouiseHudlin Nemschoff Kickstarter fundraising designed

by JoyanaCBLDF McDiarmid. each year hundreds of logo incidents are recorded. springs to action in Reginald Mike Richardson Katherine Keller these cases, providing expert support for the librarians and individuals who PaulWilliam Levitz Schanes Published Image Comics José Villarrubia fight backbywhen calls to censorship arise. We also provide a broad range Christina Merkler Bob Wayne [ADDRESS] Chris Powell of preventative resources to help fight censorship, including the Banned Peter Welch [ADDRESS] Comics section on www.cbldf.org, which features case studies of dozens Jeff Smith CREDITS [ADDRESS] of graphic novel challenges; dossiers on teaching and defending controver- ADVISORY Betsy Gomez, Designer and Editor BOARD imagecomics.com Volin, Contributor sial comics; and Using Graphic Novels in Education, our ongoing column Neil Eva GaimanBrownstein, & Denis Kitchen, Co-Chairs Charles Contributor aboutedition: teaching comics.

If you find yourself facing a censorship emergency, Susan Alston Maren Williams, Contributor First October 2016 contact us right away by calling 1-800-99-CBLDF or emailing us at info@ Matt Groening Cover image: ISBN 978-1-63215-929-8 Chip Kidd March is © John Lewis & Andrew cbldf.org.

Jim Lee Aydin. Art by Nate Powell.

10 9 8us 7 6this 5 4 Banned 321 Lunning Join Books Week by using this book as your starting point Frenchy “Fight for the Right to Read” adapted from Frank MillerChallenged and Banned, 2013–2014” “Books Printed in the of America to speaking upUnited about States the freedom to read comics in your community!

[IMAGE COMICS STAFF PARAGRAPH] —Charles Brownstein, Executive Director

CBLDF THANKS OUR GUARDIAN MEMBERS: James Wood Bailey, Grant Geissman, and Philip Harvey

CBLDF’s education program made possible with the generous support of the Gaiman Foundation and supporters like you!

CORPORATE MEMBERS

CORPORATE MEMBERS

by Nemschoff Robert P. Doyle. www.ila.org/BannedBooks Louise /ALA016 Short List L3c_low (1).pdf Mike Richardson CBLDF is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 William Schanes not-for-profit organization. Donations are taxJosé Villarrubia deductible to the fullest extent allowed Bob Wayneby law in the year they are given.

Comic Book Legal Defense Fund except Peter©2016 Welch where otherwise indicated.

CBLDF is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. Donations are taxdeductible to the fullest extent allowed by law in the year they are given.

According to ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, more than half of all banned books are by authors of color or contain events and issues concerning diverse communities. Why are so many diverse books banned? This year’s Banned Books Week celebrates diverse literature and explores why diverse books are being disproportionately singled out. Keep reading to learn more about the challenges to diverse comics and ways you can celebrate the right to read!

COMICS AND CENSORSHIP Are books really still banned in the United States?

Yes! Every year, the American Library Association reports hundreds of challenges to books in schools and libraries all over the United States, and ALA estimates that the number of unreported challenges is significantly higher. People continually try to take away readers’ power to decide what books are right for themselves or their children by bringing challenges to remove books from libraries. Sometimes, those challenges result in books being removed from circulation— the dreaded ban. Comic books, graphic novels, and manga are frequently challenged and banned.

Why are comics banned?

Comics face challenges for the same reasons as any other books. Reasons books are frequently challenged include “adult content,” “language,” “sex / nudity,” or “inappropriate for age group.”

Comics are uniquely vulnerable to challenges because of the medium’s visual nature and because comics still carry the stigma of low-value speech.

Some challenges are brought against comics because a single page or panel can be taken out of context, while others come under attack because of the mistaken notion that all comics are for children.

Which comics are banned?

Comics are one of the most commonly attacked types of books, with challenges and bans happening every year. In 2015, two comics were among the most challenged books in the United States: Fun Home by Alison Bechdel and Habibi

by Craig Thompson. Both graphic novels have diverse content: Fun Home includes the depiction of LGBTQ characters and has a female main character and creator, and Habibi has a non-Western setting and female main character. CBLDF has a full listing of comics that have been banned or challenged online at http://cbldf.org/bannedcomic/banned-challenged-comics/.

Why are comics in libraries?

In addition to being a popular form of storytelling that appeals to readers of all ages, comics are a unique and powerful way to encourage literacy.

Because of the synergy between art and text, comics are particularly good for reluctant readers, English learners, and people who have learning disorders, such as dyslexia. The skills readers develop from reading comics provide a practical foundation for other kinds of learning. From verbal and visual literacy to critical thinking and memory, comics are a great medium to get communities reading!

What does CBLDF do to help?

CBLDF assists librarians and educators by providing access to resources and writing letters of support in cases where comics and books are challenged. In the past year, CBLDF has opposed several challenges, and we stand ready to address new ones when they occur. CBLDF is also an active sponsor of Banned Books Week and the Kids’ Right To Read Project, initiatives that create tools and perform activities that defend the freedom to read.

Visit www.cbldf.org to learn more!

DIVERSITY AND CENSORSHIP In the last several years, free speech advocates have noticed a disturbing trend: Books that incorporate diversity are more likely to be targeted by censors and those attacks are happening with greater frequency.

Here’s a look at how diversity has been attacked.

Religion

Source: We Need Diverse Books http://weneeddiversebooks.org /faq/

LGBTQ Books featuring homosexual and transgender characters are among the most frequently challenged. For example, Raina Telgemeier’s eternally popular middle-grades title Drama was banned in a Texas elementary school for being “sexually explicit,” most likely because it includes gay characters. Almost every attack on Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home is focused on its depiction of homosexuality. In a rare higher education challenge, the second volume of Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman, The Doll’s House, was among several books attacked at Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa, California. The book includes a transgender woman amongst the main characters.

Race CBLDF hasn’t had to deal with overtly racist attacks against com-

© American Library Association, Office for Intellectual Freedom. www.ala.org/bbooks

A 1965 survey of children’s books revealed that only 6.7% of the books published that year had Black characters. A 2013 survey found even more dire results: Of 3,200 books published, only 93—2.9%—had Black characters.

The First Amendment doesn’t just protect speech—it also guarantees freedom of religion. Unfortunately, some individuals seem to think those protections extend only to certain faiths. CBLDF saw this first hand with several attacks on Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis. Challenges in Illinois and Texas specifically targeted the depiction of Islamic faith in Persepolis, and children’s picture books were challenged in Florida and Michigan for the same reason. Interestingly, none of the books challenged focus on Islam. The faith appears as a background element of the stories, and in no way is it depicted as the indoctrination detractors claim it is. That is, if Islam is mentioned at all: One challenged book, The Librarian of Basra, doesn’t even mention Islam. The story just happens to be set in Iraq.

ics, but some attacks have targeted books that bring racial diversity to classrooms and libraries. In early 2015, the critically-acclaimed comic collection Palomar by Gilbert Hernandez was called “child porn” by a parent in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. On its face, the challenge did not appear to be racially motivated, but Palomar reflects the Chicano background of its creator and would undoubtedly engage diverse students in the community.

CBLDF has taken action to defend other books from raciallymotivated bans: In 2012, the Tucson Independent School District dissolved their acclaimed Mexican American Studies program in response to a state law that specifically targeted the program for fomenting “racial hatred.” Subsequently, several books by Mexican American and Native authors were banned. CBLDF defended the books and filed an amicus brief challenging the constitutionality of the law.

Gender The gender of the creators and characters of books isn’t always considered a diversity issue, but when it comes to comics, it’s an important consideration. Women, transgender, and non-binary creators and characters are still underrepresented in the comics industry. While that’s changing, the depiction of female nudity, sexuality, and coming of age are frequent targets of would-be censors, as is the depiction of transgender and non-binary characters. Of the eight comics that have been included in ALA’s ten frequently challenged books lists since 2011, six featured a female central character and four were created or cocreated by a woman. While gender likely does not play a direct role in the challenges, censorship attempts disproportionately impact comics created by women and featuring female primary characters.

Why is diversity important?

Diverse books enrich the educational experience and help readers engage with the world around them in a more holistic and realistic manner. For underrepresented groups, diverse books provide a reflection of the readers themselves, something with which these readers can readily identify. For other groups, diverse materials serve as a window into another cultural experience or existence. Diverse books also remind readers that people experience the world in myriad different ways, and that in spite of differences between cultures and belief systems, people have common emotions, desires, and motivations.

What can we do to defend diversity?

In short, as educators and advocates, we can decide to incorporate diverse materials into classrooms and libraries and stand ready to defend the books when they are challenged. Many challenges happen because the complainants have a narrow worldview. Normalizing diverse content helps broaden perspectives, but the result won’t be instantaneous.

As more diverse materials become available, we’ll see more attacks, but we can hope they will abate as people adapt to—and personally experience—diverse art.

CBLDF is ready to help if diverse materials are attacked! Don’t hesitate to contact us at 1-800-99-CBLDF or info@cbldf.org. We’ve helped stop challenges to books before they happened, and we’re ready to take action when they do!

“Diverse storytellers mean diverse personal experiences being brought to the table, and more honest depictions of those experiences on the page in fiction.”

— C. Spike Trotman (Templar, Arizona) Source: Wired www.wired.com/2015/07 /diversity-in-comics/

BANNED AND CHALLENGED COMICS Comics are uniquely vulnerable to challenges because of their visual nature and lasting stigma about the medium’s value to readers. Dozens of comics, graphic novels, and manga have been challenged in schools and libraries around the country. Let’s take a look at just a few key cases involving diverse content or diversity issues.

Drama by Raina Telgemeier • Location of key challenge: Mount Pleasant, Texas • Reason challenged: sexually explicit • Diversity content: LGBTQ characters, woman creator

hix, an ed by Grap meier. Print Inc. Scholastic

Telge ©2012 Raina

Every flavor of young person deserves to see themselves in literature, and the powers-that-be challenging content that isn’t straightwhite-cis-conservative tells everyone else that they’re not worthy.

The future is bright, though. The storytellers coming of age now have access to such a goldmine of diverse content, and they’re already busy adding their own voices to the mix. I don’t think anyone will be able to stop them.

imprint of

The ban that landed Raina Telgemeier’s middle-grades graphic novel Drama on ALA’s frequently challenged books list for 2014 was at Chapel Hill Elementary in Mount Pleasant, Texas. The ban was reported in the Texas ACLU’s “Annual Banned Books Report,” but there was no news coverage, so details are thin. What is known is that the book was challenged as “sexually explicit,” most likely for a kiss between two male characters. Drama was removed from the elementary school’s library, but three copies remain in Chapel Hill Independent School District’s combined middle / high school library. It is unknown whether the district actually followed its review process, but it seems unlikely that a review committee would objectively agree that the book is “pervasively vulgar,” one of the stated criteria for removal of library materials in district policy.

The Color of Earth, by Kim Dong Hwa • Location of key challenge: Various • Reason challenged: Nudity, sexual content, unsuited to age group • Diversity content: female sexuality, Korean creator

When the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom released their list of the ten most frequently challenged books of 2011, the second-most challenged book on that list was The Color of Earth, a critically-acclaimed Korean manwha, or comic book, series.

In spite of numerous positive reviews from Booklist, Publishers Weekly, The School Library Journal, and other outlets that praise the book as “richly literate and imaginative” (Booklist) and “a work of great humanity” (Publishers Weekly), the coming-of-age tale is challenged due to nudity, sexual content, and suitability for age group.

—Raina Telgemeier (Drama, Smile, Sisters)

©2009 Dong Hwa Kim. Printed by First Second

Books.

©2009 Dong Hwa Kim. Printed by First Second

Books.

©2009 Dong Hwa Kim. Printed by First Second

Books.

Fun Home by Alison Bechdel • Location of key challenge: South Carolina; Marshall, Missouri • Reason challenged: sex / nudity, LGBTQ themes • Diversity content: LGBTQ characters, LGBTQ woman

creator

In 2006, Alison Bechdel’s memoir Fun Home was challenged alongside Craig Thompson’s Blankets in the Marshall, Missouri, public library and was subsequently retained. In 2014, Fun Home faced a greater challenge in South Carolina, where state legislators proposed punitive budget cuts against the College of Charleston because it incorporated the book into a voluntary summer reading program for incoming freshman. After months of debate, the legislature reached an unsatisfactory but highly ironic “compromise”: the funding would be restored, but it would be used for teaching about historic documents, including the Constitution. Fun Home was also one of the books a 20-year-old student and her parents wanted eradicated from the curriculum at Crafton Hills College in Cali©2006 Alison Bechdel. Printe fornia. Administrators responded with a strong statement in d by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt . support of academic freedom, but suggested that future syllabi for the graphic novel course will include a disclaimer. CBLDF led the National Coalition Against Censorship in protest of this attack on academic freedom, and the district backed away from the proposed disclaimer plan.

Palomar by Gilbert Hernandez • Location of key challenge: Rio

Rancho, New Mexico

• Reason challenged: sexual con-

tent, child pornography • Diversity content: Latino characters and setting, Chicano creator When Catrenna Lopez found objectionable material in Gilbert Hernandez’s acclaimed Palomar after her 14-year-old son checked it out of the Rio Rancho High School library, she didn’t simply file a challenge with the school—she took her ©2003 Gilbert Hernandez. Printed by Fantagraphics. objections to the local media. Local news outlet KOAT didn’t come close to a fair and accurate report, declaring that “we can’t show you any of the images because they’re too sexual and very graphic” and quoting Lopez’s claims that she found “child pornography pictures and child abuse pictures.” Further, it appeared that the district had ignored their own challenge policies and pulled the book from shelves without review. CBLDF took immediate action to defend the book, taking the lead with frequent partners Kids’ Right to Read Project in sending a letter to protest the allegations against Palomar. By a 5 to 3 vote, the review committee voted to retain the book. Despite the retention, administrators in the district took action to restrict access by imposing a requirement for students under 18 to have parental permission to check out the book.

In 2015, the American Library Association reported that nine of the top ten most challenged books included diverse content, noting that books that featured characters that were “neither white, straight, nor gender normative” were more likely to be challenged.

Source: ALA www.ala.org/news/sites/ala.org .news/files/content/state-ofamericas-libraries-2016-final.pdf

BANNED AND CHALLENGED COMICS Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi • Location of key challenge: Various • Reason challenged: Profanity, vio-

lent content, religious viewpoint • Diversity content: Islam, Iranian woman creator

Furor erupted in March 2013 when Chicago Public Schools administrators sent an email to local principals, directing them to remove all copies of Marjane Satrapi’s award-winning autobiographical graphic novel Persepolis over “graphic illustrations and language.” Students immediately mobilized to protest the removal, and CPS backpedaled, clarifying ©2004 Marjane Satrapi. Publish ed by Pantheon. that Persepolis was to be retained in district libraries. It was approved for use in grade 11 classrooms, removed from grade 7 classrooms, and reviewed for use in grade 8–10 classrooms. In early 2015, graduate student Jarrett Dapier obtained and released official CPS emails that revealed that administrators in the system ignored school policy in attempting to remove the book.

The Holy Bible was listed among ALA’s ten most challenged books in 2015. In a 2015 Harris Poll, 33% of respondents said children should not be able to check out the Koran, and 29% objected to the Torah and Talmud.

Source: ALA www.ala.org/news/sites/ala.org .news/files/content/state-ofamericas-libraries-2016-final.pdf

In 2014, the book was challenged in Oregon’s Three Rivers School District for violent imagery. It was also challenged in Illinois’ BallChatham school district and the Smithville, Texas, school district over the depiction of Muslim faith. All three challenges failed, but they helped earn Persepolis the number two spot on ALA’s frequentlychallenged list.

Sandman by Neil Gaiman • Location of key challenge: various • Reason challenged: Anti-family themes, offensive language, un-

suited for age group

• Diversity issues: LGBTQ content

Despite its many accolades, Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman was listed as one of the top banned and challenged graphic novels in 2010 by the American Library Association. The series has been challenged and banned in libraries since its publication. Most often, opposition to the series has arisen when it has been shelved in the young adult section of the library.

n published

The Sandma

by Vertigo

cs.

/ DC Comi

In June 2015, The Sandman Volume 2: The Doll’s House was one of four graphic novels that a 20-year-old college student and her parents said should be “eradicated from the system” at Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa, California. Administrators responded with a strong statement in support of the professor but suggested requiring a disclaimer on the course syllabus. CBLDF led advocates in protest of this attack on academic freedom, and the district backed away from the proposed disclaimer plan.

Stuck Rubber Baby by Howard Cruse • Location of key challenge: Montgomery County

Memorial Library System, Texas • Reason challenged: Depiction of homosexuality • Diversity issues: LGBTQ content, LGBTQ creator In 2005, Howard Cruse’s groundbreaking graphic novel Stuck Rubber Baby was challenged in the Montgomery County Memorial Library System along with 15 other young adult books with gay-positive themes by a group calling themselves the Library Patrons of Texas. The graphic novel tells the coming of age story of a young man who grows up queer in the South during the 1960s.

The book explores issues of homophobia, racism, and gay identity in a time period when all of those concerns were undergoing profound and revolutionary changes.

Stuck Rubber Baby was honored with nominations for ©2010 Howard Cruse. Published by Vertigo / DC Comics. the American Library Association’s Lesbian and Gay Book Award (now the Stonewall Book Award) and for the Lambda Literary award. It won Best Graphic Novel at the United Kingdom Comic Art Awards and the 2002 French Prix de la critique.

The book was ultimately retained in the Montgomery County system, I hear that there but it was reclassified from young adult to adult. are people out there

This One Summer by Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki • Location of key challenge: Undisclosed • Reason challenged: Sexual content, unsuited to age group • Diversity content: female sexuality, Japanese-Canadian women

creators

The announcement of the 2014 Caldecott Medal honorees had many people rushing to pick up the books for their library and classroom collections. Graphic novel This One Summer by Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki broke boundaries by becoming the first graphic novel to earn the Caldecott honor. Unfortunately, the award yielded an unforeseen negative outcome: Since the announcement of the Caldecott honor, CBLDF has been confidentially involved in defending multiple challenges to This One Summer in various communities.

©2014 Jillian and Mariko Tamaki. Published by First Second Books.

This One Summer is intended for ages 12 and up, which makes it eligible for the Caldecott, but books for that age group rarely receive the award. Problems arise when people order a book based on its award pedigree rather than familiarity with the content of the book. A few people, believing the book is aimed at younger readers because it is a Caldecott Honor Book, have been shocked to find that the award-winning graphic novel is meant for audiences age 12 and up. Rather than acknowledging their responsibility for knowing the material, some of these individuals instead attacked the book.

policing what they deem to be appropriate or inappropriate for young readers, but words like “appropriate” are so subjective.

What’s appropriate for young readers? Who do you picture these young readers to be?

If you object to a book because it mentions someone being gay or shows two boys kissing, do you imagine all the people reading these books are straight?

— Mariko Tamaki (This One Summer)

These are just a few of the many comics that have been attacked by censors.

For a comprehensive list of banned and challenged comics, visit www.cbldf.org.

FIGHT FOR THE RIGHT TO READ The First Amendment doesn’t just guarantee free speech—it also assures your right to access the ideas that are found in books. On any given day, someone somewhere could be infringing on your First Amendment rights by bringing a challenge to a book in your local library or school. People have every right to express their opinion about a book, but they don’t have the right to limit access to books. This kind of censorship is most effective when people don’t act to stop it.

So, what can you do about censorship? It turns out there’s a lot you can do to fight for the right to read!

Know what’s happening in your community.

Censors don’t want children exposed to ideas different from their own. If every individual with an agenda had his/her way, the shelves in the school library would be close to empty.

—Judy Blume Source: http://judyblume.com /censorship.php

Keep in touch with your local librarians and educators to find out about book challenges in your community.

To stay current on censorship issues around the country, subscribe to news publications dedicated to the First Amendment and free expression. CBLDF reports on censorship issues around the world and provides exclusive educational resources related to comics. You can follow our reporting and sign up for our convenient and informative weekly newsletter at www.cbldf.org. The National Coalition Against Censorship (http://ncac.org) provides breaking First Amendment news and opinion. The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom maintains a news blog at www.ala.org/oif.

Report censorship.

An essential step in protecting access to comics is to report challenges when they occur. By reporting challenges, you help free expression advocates gather necessary information about what materials are at risk. Even if a challenged book isn’t a comic, tell CBLDF about attempts to censor books in your community. You can reach us at info@ cbldf.org or call 1-800-99-CBLDF. To protect the right to read, CBLDF takes an active stand against all instances of censorship, and the Fund often coordinates efforts with organizations like the Kids’ Right to Read Project and ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. You should also report challenges to KRRP (http://ncac.org/project/the-kids-right-to-read-project/) and ALA (http://www.ala.org/bbooks/challengedmaterials/reporting).

Support your local librarians and teachers.

Call 1-800-99-CBLDF or email info@cbldf.org at the first sign of a First Amendment emergency!

Censorship manifests in many ways, and the unique visual nature of comics makes them more prone to censorship than other types of books. Most challenges to comics in libraries and schools come from well-meaning individuals, frequently parents, who find something they believe is objectionable in comics. These challenges are often difficult and stressful for the library and school staff who must manage them. Even if you don’t work at the library or school, you can help.

If you learn of a challenge, let your local librarian or teacher know you can assist. Write letters to your library or school board, attend open meetings to voice your support for the right to read, and help organize

peaceful demonstrations in support of challenged materials. If your library or school doesn’t have a policy regarding book challenges, work with your library or administration to establish a process for handling challenges. Once a policy is established, make sure it is followed any time there is a challenge.

Sometimes, comics are challenged because library patrons and occasionally even librarians don’t understand them. If you have some expertise with comics, volunteer at your local library or school to help staff cultivate and properly shelve a graphic novel collection. To help dispel misconceptions about comics, offer to organize public discussions, read-outs, creator visits, and other events that focus on comics and their value as literature.

Speak up.

Attempts to ban books rarely succeed when people speak out against them. Whether it’s a school board, PTA, or library meeting or a public hearing, be there to speak up for the First Amendment and the right to read. Write letters to your local administrators, politicians, and newspapers supporting the right to read. Remind your fellow citizens and officials that no one has the right to restrict access to books, and be prepared to stand up for all books, even those you may not like. Any successful book ban opens the door to more censorship.

Join groups committed to fighting censorship.

Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of the First Amendment rights of the comics art form and its community of retailers, creators, publishers, educators, librarians, and readers. CBLDF provides legal referrals, representation, advice, assistance, and education in furtherance of these goals. We’re able to do our important work on behalf of the right to read because of the support of our members. You can become a member of CBLDF by completing the membership form in this handbook or by visiting http://cbldf.myshopify.com/collections /memberships.

CBLDF isn’t the only group that advocates for the right to read. The following organizations also help defend books against censorship: • The American Booksellers for Free Expression (www.bookweb.org/abfe) • The American Civil Liberties Union (www.aclu.org) • The Authors Guild (www.authorsguild.org) • The Freedom to Read Foundation (www.ftrf.org) • The National Coalition Against Censorship (http://ncac.org)

On average, only 10% of children’s books published each year since 1994 have been by or about people of color. In 2012, people of color made up 37% of the U.S. population .

Source: Lee & Low Books http://blog.leeandlow.com /2013/06/17/why-hasnt-thenumber-of-multicultural-booksincreased-in-eighteen-years/

PROGRAMMING IDEAS Banned Books Week is a great opportunity to engage your community with why diversity is important! Whether reading from banned and challenged books by diverse authors, screening films that provide a glimpse into diverse communities, or administering speaking engagements or creative activities for your patrons, Banned Books Week is a time to encourage members of your community to speak out. We’ve assembled a few programming ideas to help get you started on creating the right event for your patrons!

Make A Banned Books Week Display Start the conversation about Banned Books Week by making a display in your library, classroom, or store! Here are just a few ideas to get you started: • Use CBLDF’s Banned Books Week kit, and wrap a selection of banned and challenged titles with caution tape.

• Wrap banned or challenged books in brown paper, and write only the reason why the book was challenged—not the title or creator—across the front of the package. Imagine the customer’s surprise when the book labeled “Political Viewpoint, Racism, and Violence” turns out to be Bone, by Jeff Smith!

• Design a bulletin board to look like a page from a comic book.

In each panel, feature a challenged or banned graphic novel with a word balloon explaining the charge against the material.

The more ridiculous the claim, the better!

People rarely think to include graphic novels when planning a Banned Books Read Out, but they make for fantastically dramatic group reads, with a different reader for each character. Or even with a single reader changing his/her voice as the characters shift. These readings always draw a crowd.

— Eva Volin, Alameda Free Public Library

Cosplay Engage the creativity of your community with a Banned Books Week cosplay event! Encourage patrons to dress up as their favorite character from a banned comic or book, and ask them to talk about why that character matters to them. This is a great event to hold in your library, classroom, or store and to document on your website, blog, and social media pages.

Banned Books Film Fest Many of the greatest banned books have been adapted into movies, so seize the opportunity to raise awareness by hosting a Banned Books Film Festival! From To Kill A Mockingbird to Persepolis to The Diary of a Teenage Girl, a wide range of challenged stories have made the jump from page to screen, and movies can spark a great conversation within your community!

Banned Books Read Out Hold a readers’ theater in your library’s lobby, and have performers read aloud from banned and challenged books and graphic novels. Or organize a 12- or 24-hour read-a-thon, during which patrons, students, and even creators take turns reading banned books. Be sure to encourage participants to discuss their personal feelings about the books they read and why they feel it is important to be heard!

Join the Virtual Read-Out Each year, the organizers of Banned Books Week celebrate with a virtual read-out in which anyone can submit a video of themselves reading from a banned book and discussing what it means to them. You or members of your community can take to the web to read from a book that embodies why diverse authors matter to you and how challenging diverse expressions affects your community. To learn more, visit www.bannedbooksweek.org.

Banned Books Debate Should books ever be banned? What stories cross the line? Are some words unfit for the library or classroom? Engage patrons and students in a debate of the issues around censorship!

Art Exhibit Passive programs are good, too! Is there a professional comics artist in your area? A high school manga and anime art club? Participants in a comics drawing workshop? Engage them by creating an art exhibit to tie into this year’s theme. From art paying tribute to diverse authors to reinterpretations of important scenes from banned books, an art exhibit is a great way to get people talking!

Comic Workshops Kids, teens, and adults all love to draw. Invite a local comics creator, book illustrator, or even a high school art teacher to spend an hour working with your patrons and students on their drawing and storytelling skills. Invite a local comics writer or editor to talk about how writing for visual stories is different than writing prose. At the end, encourage participants to photocopy the results to make their own minicomic or to post online as a webcomic!

Creator Visit Many writers and illustrators are willing to visit schools, libraries, and stores, so don’t be afraid to ask them to be part of your Banned Books Week events.

Check creator websites to see if they have preferred ways of handling such requests.

Plan ahead, especially if travel is involved. Six to eight months ahead of the desired date is not too early!

Why invite just one author or artist when you can invite a bunch? A fun alternative to the usual

Looking for a comics creator to visit your library or classroom?

The CBLDF Comics Connector connects librarians and educators with creators! http://cbldf.org /resources /comics-connector/

PROGRAMMING IDEAS creator visit is the talent panel, where creators have a chance to interact, tell stories, and discuss alongside their peers questions posed by a moderator or the audience.

For creators who can’t travel, give Skype a try! Many authors and illustrators are happy to “meet” your group via the Internet.

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) has a list of tips for planning a successful author or artist visit. Check it out online at: http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/profawards/hayesaward /tipsforvisitplanning The CBLDF Comics Connector (http://cbldf.org/resources /comics-connector/) is a resource that lists comics creators and industry professionals who are able to provide lectures and workshops for schools and libraries.

Mini Comics Convention This is the perfect opportunity to put all your programming ideas together into one big event! Scale down what is usually found at a comics convention until it’s the perfect size for your library, classroom, or store. Artists alley, cosplay, demos and workshops, speaker panels, and even an art auction are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to programs that happen at a convention.

One of the best things that has come out of our book clubs has been the community of comic readers that was, and is still being, built. Crossing generational lines and representing the diversity of our city, the comic book clubs have become a safe forum for readers of different backgrounds and experiences to get together to talk about comics.

—Erwin Magbanua, San Diego Public Library

To keep things fresh, change your theme from year to year, from superheroes to steampunk to manga / anime to science fiction. Aim for an all-ages event when possible. It’s not only teens who read and love comics!

Book Clubs There’s no need to limit your book club selections to only prose.

Many—if not most—graphic novels are as appealing and discussable as traditional book club selections. Graphic novels help readers understand diverse points of view by creating an empathetic experience that incorporates pictures as well as words.

Adding graphic novels to an existing book club’s reading list gives members an opportunity to look at books and reading in different ways. Why did the author feel images were necessary to tell this particular story? How did viewing pictures as well as words change the reader’s experience with the book?

Be patient with those members who are not familiar with the graphic novel format. It takes practice to be a good comics reader! For tips on running a comic book club, pick up The Comic Book Club Handbook (http://tinyurl.com/qflzb6t)!

Host a Fundraiser Choose a worthy free speech advocate—like CBLDF!—and host a fundraiser at your library, school, or store! Whether a party, creator event, or charity auction, CBLDF is happy to provide materials and support for your event! Send us an email at info@cbldf.org when you’re planning your event.

In the CBLDF Rewards Zone: • Declare that you read banned comics with “I Read Banned Comics” merchandise, including men’s and women’s t-shirts ($20, http://tinyurl.com/qzwcsqg) and the Banned Books Week gear bundle, which includes stickers, prints, and more ($25, http://tinyurl.com/psz5zgg)!

• Introduce parents to how comics can help kids love to read with Raising a Reader! How Comics & Graphic Novels Can Help Your Kids Love To Read! (starts at $5 for a bundle of ten, http://tinyurl.com/o9zrtsn).

• Start a comic book club with the Comic Book Club Handbook ($3, http://tinyurl.com/qflzb6t) or the Manga Book Club Handbook ($3, http://tinyurl.com/zglot8f).

FIGHT FOR THE RIGHT TO READ — JOIN CBLDF TODAY! CBLDF’s important work defending the freedom to read is only possible because of the support of individuals like you. Show your support for our work protecting the freedom to read by making a tax-deductible membership contribution today! We have membership plans for donors in every budget!

Membership Level Member • $100 (CBLDF membership card, button

set, sticker set, embroidered patch, pocket sketchbook, and exclusive t-shirt featuring art by Craig Thompson) Associate Member • $30 (CBLDF membership card) Supporter Member • $50 (CBLDF membership card, button set, sticker set, embroidered patch, and pocket sketchbook) Defender Member • $250 (All of the above, plus a CBLDF water bottle and CBLDF Presents: Liberty)

$500 Protector (All of the above, plus exclusive embossed executive Moleskine journal)

$1,000 Champion (All of the above, plus recogni

tion in CBLDF Liberty Annual and a CBLDF executive messenger bag) $2,500 Guardian (All of the above, plus special recognition in CBLDF publications throughout 2016)

I’m already a member, but I’d like to make an additional donation of $ Members joining at the $100 level and higher will receive a 2016 CBLDF shirt, with art by Craig Thompson!

T-shirt size (circle one): S M L XL XXL Please send no premiums.

CBLDF Defender Quarterly Newsletter Subscription $10 for Nonmembers

$5 for Members

Contact Information Name Address City / State / Zip Email

Payment Information Online (Visit us at http://cbldf.myshopify.com/collections/memberships) By check (Please make checks payable to CBLDF.) By credit card (Please complete the following.)

Card Number Exp. CVV Type of Card Signature

Thank you for your support!

CBLDF is recognized by the IRS as a not-for-profit 501(c)3 institution and donations are tax-deductible in the year in which they are given. Please contact us for information on deductible amounts for CBLDF premiums, and consult your tax advisor as to the extent to which your donation is tax deductible.

WHY ARE SO MANY DIVERSE BOOKS BANNED? Banned Books Week is September 25 – October 1, 2016!

Celebrate diverse comics and books that have been banned or challenged, and explore why diverse books are singled out!

SUPPORT BANNED BOOKS WEEK!

CBLDF creates merchandise to support our efforts protecting the freedom to read! Get Banned Books Week merchandise, such as t-shirts, display kits, buttons, and more at www.cbldf.org.

Banned Books Week Sponsors American Booksellers for Free Expression

American Library Association Association of American Publishers Association of American University Presses The Authors Guild Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Dramatists Legal Defense Fund Freedom to Read Foundation National Council of Teachers of English People for the American Way Foundation

Banned Books Week Contributors

American Society of Journalists and Authors National Coalition Against Censorship

Compliments of:

PEN America Project Censored

Endorsed By:

Center for the Book in the Library of Congress

Cover art from March, published by Top Shelf Productions.

March is © John Lewis & Andrew Aydin. Art

by Nate Powell.

Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

811 SW Naito Parkway, Suite 100 Portland, Oregon 97204 www.cbldf.org info@cbldf.org 1-800-99-CBLDF