I am not sure about the tone of the article linked below. A blog post from the Houston Chronicle, the article makes note of Banned Books Week while also saying that this is the lowest number Texas communities have banned in a decade. Is this pride of some kind of slight progression or a surprise that this is still going on. As a blog post, the tone is ambiguous, at least on the first quick read through. Here's some stats they quote:
"Most books land on the banned list because of sex, profanity, nudity, violence, religion, race and/or politics. Asking parents to sit down and read the titles that concern them before making official complaints in writing has helped streamline complaints and bring the numbers of banned books down, Burke says.
Some titles on this year’s list were banned by elementary schools because the content was deemed too mature for young students. In some cases, administrators recommended the books be taught in upper grades in the same district."
I applaud bringing awareness to the cause, whatever the intention. I also applaud the Texas education system for educating parents as well as children. Hopefully next year the number will be zero.
Books banned in Texas public schools, 2011-2012 - Houston Chronicle (blog)
Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn is calling for a discount on Irish educational materials from publishers. Quinn notes that since the schools order in bulk they should receive a little something extra in these hard economic times, don't ya know?