Marshall University does not ban books! The information is provided to let people know what has been banned/challenged elsewhere.
2016
Challenged, but retained at Crafton Hills College, a community college in Yucaipa (CA) despite a student’s request to remove the book because it was “objectionable.”
2015
Challenged, but retained on the Glenwood High School reading list in Chatham (IL). A parent condemned the images of dismembered bodies and a guard using urine as a form of torture. The book tells the story of a young girl growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and the reintroduction of a religious state. The graphic novel has been praised for teaching students about diversity and different points of view, but it also contains intense language, images and themes.
2014
Removed, via a district directive, from all Chicago (IL) public schools due to “graphic illustrations and language” and concerns about “developmental preparedness” and “student readiness.” Seventh and eleventh-grade students study the graphic novel about the author’s experience growing up in Iran during the Iranian revolution as part of Chicago Public Schools’ Literacy Content Framework. As news spread of the directive, students mobilized a media campaign in opposition to “banning a book that’s all about the freedom of speech.” Students took to their Facebook and Twitter accounts, checked out all library copies of the book, wrote investigative articles for the student newspaper, contacted the author, staged protests, and appeared on local radio and television programs. Eventually, the school issued a letter telling high school principals to disregard the earlier order to pull the book.
2013
Removed, via a district directive, from all Chicago (IL) public schools due to “graphic illustrations and language” and concerns about “developmental preparedness” and “student readiness.” Seventh and eleventh-grade students study the graphic novel about the author’s experience growing up in Iran during the Iranian revolution as part of Chicago Public Schools’ Literacy Content Framework. As news spread of the directive, students mobilized a media campaign in opposition to “banning a book that’s all about the freedom of speech.” Students took to their Facebook and Twitter accounts, checked out all library copies of the book, wrote investigative articles for the student newspaper, contacted the author, staged protests, and appeared on local radio and television programs. Eventually, the school issued a letter telling high school principals to disregard the earlier order to pull the book.
On These Pages
A Banned book has been removed from a library, classroom, etc.
A Challenged book has been requested to be removed from a library, classroom, etc.
For additional information contact
Ron Titus, titus@marshall.edu
304-696-6575
Last updated
July 27, 2016