Authors Walk Out of School Event Over Censorship Concerns
Two authors, Joanna Ho and Caroline Kusin-Pritchard, left Country Club Elementary School shortly before their scheduled presentation on October 17, 2023, after being asked by the San Ramon Valley Unified School District to refrain from discussing themes of book banning. The authors were promoting their book, “The Day the Books Disappeared,” which explores the implications of book censorship.
The district expressed concerns that certain themes within their presentation were not appropriate for younger students, specifically those in transitional kindergarten to third grade, aged four to nine. In a statement, the district indicated that the message of kindness, empathy, and understanding featured in the book could be overshadowed by discussions of book banning, which they deemed unsuitable for the developmental level of these students.
In response to the request for changes, Kusin-Pritchard stated, “Book banning is real, it’s happening everywhere, it’s happening in California.” Ho echoed her sentiments, expressing discontent with the idea of altering their presentation, saying, “Caroline was like this is completely out of our integrity like, we won’t be changing our presentation if we’re giving the presentation.”
The school district attempted to coordinate with the organization that arranged the author visit, seeking adjustments to the content. When they did not receive a timely response, the district decided to communicate directly with the authors upon their arrival, ultimately leading to the authors’ decision to leave the event rather than modify their message.
Despite the district’s reservations, Kusin-Pritchard noted that they have received positive feedback from numerous students across the country. She highlighted the powerful insights and hopeful reactions children have when engaging with the book’s narrative.
Ho elaborated on the themes presented in their work, which addresses the reasons behind book banning, including uncomfortable historical truths, race and racism, and diverse family structures. She stressed the importance of bringing these stories to light for the sake of awareness and intentionality within communities.
The incident underscores the ongoing debate surrounding censorship in education and the challenges authors face when addressing sensitive topics in school settings. As discussions about book banning gain momentum across the United States, the authors remain committed to highlighting the importance of diverse narratives and the need for open dialogues in educational environments.
