In this FIRST-EVER in-person episode of The Reference Desk, Katie and Hailee talk about banned books.

In recent months, the number of challenged books has skyrocketed. Politicians and parents across the country have called for the removal of books that feature LGBTQIA+ references and material that may make white students feel uncomfy. Katie and Hailee tell you the history of book bans, talk you through how challenges are handled, explore current challenged material, and share their thoughts on actions to stop censorship.

Highlights:
What the ALA has to say about the recent uptick in book challenges.
How material challenges are handled in public and school libraries.
How libraries in Texas and Virginia are handling an onslaught in challenged material.
Guess that banned book!
Currently challenged books.
How you can help support your local schools, libraries, and marginalized communities in the face of book bans.

Currently reading:
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah

Recommendations:
Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
New Kid by Jerry Kraft
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
Melissa's Story (Formerly titled "George") by Alex Gino
Something Happened in Our Town  by Ann Hazzard, Marianne Celano, and Marietta Collins
All American Boys by Brendan Kiely and Jason Reynolds
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Links: 
ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom
Red Wine and Blue's Book Ban Busters
The Unicorn Express
Free Little Library
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

For all our sources, resources about banned books , and links to all our recommended reading, visit https://thereferencedeskpod.com

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