Banned Books 2020 – I am Jazz

Marshall University does not ban books! The information is provided to let people know what has been banned/challenged elsewhere.</strong

2020

Challenged and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content, for a transgender character, and for confronting a topic that is “sensitive, controversial, and politically charged.”

2019

Citing “sexual content,” issues of bullying, rebelling against police, and refusing to take medications, I am Jazz, Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart, and George by Alex Gino were challenged at the Andover (KS) Public Library. The request was to remove the books from the children’s area. After a review process, the library decided to retain them all as cataloged. When the decision was appealed by the parents, the library board voted to retain the books.

2018

Challenged, but retained in a Rocklin (CA) Academy school. A transgender kindergarten student gave some books about her situation to her teacher, and the teacher read them to the class. Some parents complained to the school board about being “blindsided.” The district responded that the books were age-appropriate, fell within the book selection policy, and that unlike sex education, the topic of gender identity did not require prior parental notice. However, the superintendent stated that “staff will be engaging parents and teachers in discussions about how materials outside our curriculum will be addressed in the future.”

2017

Challenged because it portrays a transgender child and because of language, sex education, and offensive viewpoints.

2016

Canceled as a planned reading in the Mount Horeb (WI) School District after the Florida-based Library Counsel group threatened to sue. The children’s book is the story of a transgender child based on the real-life experience of Jazz Jennings.

On These Pages

A Banned book has been removed from a library, classroom, etc.
A Challenged book has been requested to be removed from a library, classroom, etc.

For additional information contact

Ron Titus, titus@marshall.edu
304-696-6575

Last updated

August 12, 2020