Two of the four winners of YALSA’s Morris Award are:īlack Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard: “Using magical realism, Brown explores the intersection of racism, poverty, sexual assault, and intergenerational trauma, as well as the strength and power that women wield as they navigate these challenges.”
Much of the youth librarians group’s selections focus on instilling a sense of racial oppression rather than a mastery of reading.
As they grow closer, Charlie struggles with what he assumes is an unrequited crush, and Nick starts to question if his feelings for Charlie are romantic.” Heartstopper: “Shy, openly gay Charlie is worried that rugby player Nick will end up being a bully, but the two strike up a friendship. She also reflects on the racial and sexual oppression that she and others face in American society.” I’m A Wild Seed: “De La Cruz talks about how she discovers her sexuality and what it means to be a woman of color. Afterward, everyone, no matter their gender or sexuality, is welcomed back into the circle.” The four students convince Geraldine that the old protocols are exclusionary and antithetical to Mino Bimaadiziwin or ‘the good life,’ and Riel’s Auntie Alex is invited to share about Two-Spirit teachings. Surviving The City : “Dez finally reveals her identity as a Two-Spirit person.
He’s bi-racial and gay (though he can’t admit it yet) and doesn’t know where he fits in or how to be himself in a world that actively mocks both of those things.” He had a terrible middle school experience. Those include:įlamer: “Aiden spends a last summer at scout camp before high school, which he dreads. If the book was billed as boosting tolerance and fighting back against stereotyping, “Lawn Boy” seems like a bad choice: it depicts a Hispanic as a landscaper and gay sex as perverted.Īn unusually large portion of the books recommended by YALSA are about homosexuality. “ Lawn Boy” is in schools, in part, because it has been heralded by the Young Adult Library Services division of the American Library Association (YALSA), which helps determine which books are carried in schools. It was no big deal.”Ĭringing, Nick held his hands out in front of him in a yield gesture. “What the f*** are you talking about, Michael?” “Pff.” Nick waved me off and turned his attention back to his beer. “What if I told you I touched another guy’s d***?” I said. The following is the passage from the book “Lawn Boy” by Jonathan Evison, which records show is available in Fairfax school libraries: To be clear, nothing will disrupt our Board’s commitment to LGBTQIA+ students, families, and staff.
Karl Frisch, a school board member who does not have any children, but is a gay man who spends much of his energy on the school board focusing on gay and transgender issues rather than education, seemed to defend the pornography and mock concerned taxpayers on Twitter: “It’s not every week the School Board receives two exorcisms during public comment. It says “It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to… circulate… any notice or advertisement of any obscene item,” as Nomani, a parental advocacy expert with Parents Defending Education, wrote on her Substack.Īll of the members except Karl Frisch, Laura Jane Cohen (whose child is transgender and who frequently redirects educational issues to gay issues), and Abrar Omeish, who opposed a resolution honoring the victims of 9/11, fled the stage, as the audience chanted “Go to jail!” “It’s my turn to speak and I was next,” he said.Īfter her mic was cut off, Langton spoke loudly, reading the name of a law that she said the school board was violating. Multiple attendees told The Daily Wire they did not see any children at the late-night board meeting.īefore the buzzer counting down Langton’s allotted two minutes even buzzed, the school board began talking over her, saying “Our next speaker is …”Ī plainclothes security guard then approached the microphone and tried to get her to move by lying that he was the next speaker, according to video filmed by Asra Nomani. Virtually the entire crowd erupted in jeers at the school board’s efforts to silencing a parent.