Library of Juvenile Literature

Books for children are an index of changing social values and often have dated values, revealing prejudices about race and gender. They are a useful gauge for policy makers of changing social values. They continue to be hotly disputed as to their appropriateness for school libraries.

One succinct comment by Evie Blad on this can represent what has all the signs of being an endless debate:
“Around the country, school librarians have found themselves on the front lines of the culture wars. As states pass laws that restrict teaching of “controversial” or “divisive” subjects, school libraries have seen calls to remove books about issues like race, gender, and sexuality from their shelves.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, for example, wrote to his state’s school boards association this month, saying districts should remove ‘pornographic or obscene material’ from school library shelves. That letter came after a state senator launched an inquiry into whether schools shelve a list 850 books titles about issues like transgender identity, AIDS, the history of the abortion debate, and racial justice…But school librarians have a responsibility to assemble collections that represent all students, helping them to learn about themselves and the world around them, said Jennisen Lucas, the president of the American Association of School Librarians.”

Westphalia Press offers titles representing a whole variety of issues and eras, in keeping with the contention that bibliography has a place in policy analysis and often buttresses the arguments for policy decisions. If you use some of our books please tell us how and perhaps we can publish your use.