Review by Booklist Review
Librarians--especially those who work with young people--often face the dilemma of talking with their patrons about books that have been (or are threatened to be) banned. In Books Under Fire, Scales details the ways librarians who work with young people can not only defend a challenged book and its value to the community, but also how to talk with patrons of all ages about these titles. In this second edition, Scales updates the list of challenged titles and expands on those covered in the first edition. Scales' list includes classics like The Giver and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, plus newer titles like And Tango Makes Three and This One Summer. For each title, the author includes a summary, reasons for past challenges, awards and accolades the book has received, and suggestions for ways to discuss the book with patrons. This comprehensive look at challenged books and their merits should prove an invaluable tool for librarians looking to spark thoughtful conversation in the face of attempted censorship. The appendix includes a thorough list of essays and resources for librarians facing a title challenge; The exhaustive index is a great tool as well. This book will be useful to librarians who work in schools or with young people of all ages, and for teachers and parents to better understand titles labeled "controversial."
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
