Two parents, some Facebook posters raise questions about books in District 181 libraries
These are eight of the 11 books available in District 181 libraries that some parents have complained about. (Jim Slonoff photo)
After two women challenged 11 books available in Community Consolidated Elementary District 181 libraries at an April school board, The Hinsdalean decided to do its own review of the materials.
The 11 books range from picture books including "Julian is a Mermaid" and "Ogilvy" to graphic novels like "Drama" and "The Cardboard Kingdom" (see sidebar for full list).
According to the American Library Association, the number of books challenged in libraries across the country was up 65 percent in 2023 over the previous year. The association says 4,240 titles were suggested for removal from schools and public libraries.
The two women did not submit a formal challenge as outlined in board policy 6:231, according to Jeffrey Alstadt, communications director. Individuals who comment on books are informed about the formal process.
"As far as I am aware, we have not received any formal challenges, and we receive very few comments on library books," he said.
District 181 staff in the department of learning reviewed the 11 books in question and believe they fit with the district's vision of developing lifelong learners, Alstadt said.
"When we select our books, we're trying to have selections that encourage that development of lifelong readers," Alstadt said. "We want to have resources that help the entire faculty to encourage that development."
Two of the books have been mentioned in recent days on the Concerned Parents of Hinsdale Facebook page. Administrator Kristina McCloy commented on "Julian is a Mermaid."
"Transgender books do not have a place in our elementary schools," she begins her post. "This book, along with many others in the D181 libraries, discuss sexuality, gender dystopia and transgenderism," she added later. "The parents of D181 need to be enrolled in an opt-out program. It should be of the parent's discretion to opt out of any material which they deem inappropriate for their young child."
An anonymous post Aug. 1 addresses "Bodies are Cool."
"The book features mastectomies on transsexuals," the post reads.
All 11 books are available through the Suburban Library System, with nine on the shelves at the Hinsdale Public Library. Executive Director Karen Keefe said she believes the library has not had a single formal challenge in the 13 years she has worked at the library. That doesn't mean librarians don't talk with patrons about materials available at the library.
"I think a lot of times people just want to know why, why a decision was made, why do you have this," she said.
Of the list of 11 books, she said she is most familiar with "And Tango Makes Three," which has been the subject of controversy for years.
"There are some titles on there that I am familiar with because other libraries across the country are being asked to reconsider them," she said.
She noted that different books are intended for different audiences and that people don't know the context in which books are read. Parents or grandparents might be using books to introduce difficult topics like death, divorce or adoption to a child in the family.
The library also serves a variety of people, she said.
"Some books are going to resonate with people more than others. Also, we have books for babies through older adults. Some books might not be developmentally appropriate but more appropriate for you at a different time in your life."
And no one has to read a book they don't want to read, she emphasized.
"None of these titles are prescribed," Keefe said. "It's a buffet of books for you to choose from. If something is not a good fit, we have another 88,000 titles for you to choose from."
Books in question
Several of the 11 books cited by District 181 classrooms have been banned from classrooms in Florida, Texas, Utah and other states. Three of the books - "And Tango Makes Three," (No.6), "Drama" (No. 7) and "Prince and Knight" (No. 91) are on the American Library Association's list of the top 100 most frequently challenged books from 2010-19.
All but "Drama," "My Princess Boy" and "Prince and Knight" have been reviewed by The Hinsdalean. The descriptions for these books is from the Suburban Library System.
"And Tango Makes Three" by Justin Richardson
This tale - based on a true story - is about two male penguins at New York City's Central Park Zoo who start a family by taking turns sitting on an abandoned egg until it hatches.
"Bodies are Cool" by Tyler Feder
Illustrations and rhyming text celebrates bodies of all shapes, sizes, ages and colors. Illustrations show people with scars, prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs, service dogs, tattoos and other differences. Several pages have illustrations of transgender men who have had their breasts removed and gay couples.
"Drama" by Raina Telgemeier
This graphic novel is about the onstage and offstage drama involved with middle-schoolers putting on a play. Some of the characters are gay and one boy kisses another as part of the play, according to various websites.
"Julian is a Mermaid" by Jessica Love
This picture book is about Julian, a little boy who imagines seeing mermaids and being a mermaid before dressing up like one. His nana takes him to a parade with people dressed up in all sorts of costumes, including mermaids and drag, and they join in.
"Kid Activists: True Tales of Childhood from Champions of Change" by Robin Stevenson
This book includes short biographies of 16 individuals who have been champions of change, including Harvey Milk (see later entry) and Janet Mock, an American writer, director, producer and transgender rights activist.
"My Princess Boy: A Mom's Story about a Young Boy Who Loves to Dress Up," Cheryl Kilodavis
A 4-year-old boy loves dressing up in princess clothing. "A nonfiction picture book about acceptance ... to give children and adults a tool to talk about unconditional friendship," the jacket reads.
"Ogilvy" by Deborah Underwood
The bunnies in the town Ogilvy moves to want to know if Ogilvy is wearing a sweater or a dress, as that will determine which activities Ogilvy is allowed to participate in. Ogilvy's response: "I'm tired of all of the questions and staring. I'm wearing an Ogilvy. That's what I'm wearing." The bunnies agree. "It really is silly for clothes to divide us. Let's do all the things that till now were denied us."
"Pink is for Boys" by Robb Pearlman*
This picture book's message is summed up best on one of its final pages - "And all the colors are for everyone. Girls and boys."
"Pride: the story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag" by Rob Sanders
This simplified biography is about Harvey Milk, co-creator of the pride flag, and his dream that everyone would have equality and be able to live and love as they please. One two-page spread has photos of all types of people, including men in women's clothing.
"Prince & Knight" by Daniel Haack
A prince and a knight in shining armor find true love in each other's embrace after fighting a dragon together.
"The Cardboard Kingdom" by Chad Sell
"The Cardboard Kingdom" is actually a series of three novels by Sell, who lives in Chicago with his husband and two cats. The comments at the meeting did not specify a title.
