NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� Scholastic Inc. will end a widely criticized policy that made it easier for school book fairs not to sell works with racial, disability and LGBTQ+ themes.
The children's publisher angered many authors and educators this fall when it created a separate package of dozens of books, labeled 鈥淪hare Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice,鈥� and gave schools the option on whether to include them in fairs. Poet Amanda Gorman, whose 鈥淐hange Sings鈥� was among the titles in 鈥淪hare Every Story,鈥� had said in an Instagram video that Scholastic's decision 鈥渇elt like a betrayal.鈥�
Scholastic had said the policy, which will remain in place for the rest of the year, was a response to the proliferation of restrictions passed by states around the country. The publisher has not settled on a strategy for 2024.
鈥淭his fall, we made changes in our U.S. elementary school fairs out of concern for our Book Fair hosts. In doing this, we offered a collection of books to supplement the diverse collection of titles already available at the Scholastic Book Fair. We understand now that the separate nature of the collection has caused confusion and feelings of exclusion,鈥� according to a Scholastic statement issued Wednesday.
鈥淲e are working across Scholastic to find a better way. The Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice collection will not be offered with our next season in January. As we reconsider how to make our Book Fairs available to all kids, we will keep in mind the needs of our educators facing local content restrictions and the children we serve.鈥�
The Associated Press
