How appropriate that I have been reading this book...since my library is currently being challenged by a far right wing of extremists who are seeking to ban books. I don't care if you agree or not with LGBT or Christianity or whatever and what not....IT IS NOT GOOD WHEN WE TRY TO IMPOSE BELIEFS ON OTHERS. (And I say this as a white heterosexual Christian)

I have some killer quotes forthcoming!! Anyone who wants to reflect on the power of words, here from these popular authors who have been "silenced" for one reason or another. It's a good read. And timely. ( )

FROM SYNC: Multiple narrators reenact interviews with authors on censorship and free expression. The discussions are between editor Leonard S. Marcus and 13 authors of controversial books for kids and young adults. Narrator Tom Parks reads all of Marcus’s interview questions; each chapter features one author represented by a different narrator. Parks’s delivery style is stiff, but the authors’ answers seem genuine and conversational. Narrator Janet Metzger is particularly good at narrating author Katherine Paterson’s (BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA) sharp-witted Southern-accented responses. Narrator Thom Rivera is also upbeat and enjoyable as author David Levithan (BOY MEETS BOY). Narrator Susan Dalian ardently delivers Angie Thomas's answers and her explanation of the connection between THE HATE U GIVE and hip-hop.

Censorship has been around for a long time. Much of the time it is politically motivated. Is it right for a few to tell everyone what they can and cannot read or say? Hear what some famous authors have to say about their experiences with censorship.
The interview format of this compilation of stories about authors who have faced censorship brings to light the true feelings of people being silenced for presenting their own cultures and views. These stories could be selected to be read aloud to start the conversation about censorship. It would make a great addition to a banned books week display. Students will be able to read about how real people are affected by censorship not just the books. ( )

You might think that all writers have a similar response if their book is banned or challenged, and to some extent you'd be right. For example, nearly all the writers featured in this collection say that they understand that parents who seek to have books removed are doing it out of love and a feeling that they need to protect their children. I'm not sure I actually agree with that, but I appreciate the impulse behind such a generous interpretation. Beyond that, the writers' thoughts vary quite a bit.

Through the interviews in this book, Leonard Marcus gives readers insight into not just the writers' responses to having their books banned or challenged, but also into their writing processes. This book is certainly a must-read for fans of any of the included writers, and for defenders of intellectual freedom, but also for anyone interested in hearing writers' thoughts on their own work.

FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for this review. ( )

I was a volunteer in a school library for many years, and the very concept of this book, encapsulated in the title You Can't Say That is quite scary. I will never be in favour of banned OR compelled speech. How do we, as a society, decide where the boundary is between on the one hand free expression and history and on the other contemporary ideals governing those concepts, with an eye to improving the state of disadvantaged individuals? And how does this play out in what is available for young to people to learn from? Is it best to only young people to read "approved" ideas? Pretty much all these authors would disagree, but a few of them are part of a movement which is just substituting new "approved" ideas for previous ones.
Altho I felt that the interview format brought the author forward a bit too much, some pretty important kids' and young adult authors contributed their thoughts. And unfortunately the vast majority of the writers were 50 or 60 years old or more, only one young-ish writer was included at all. I particularly enjoyed Dad Pilkey's contribution - I used Captain Underpants to read my little girls in French and Italian so they would get some current colloquial vocabulary in those languages. I actually sought the potentially offensive as that is where kids live in language. Additionally interesting is that he used making comic books as a way to help himself thru ADHD, an actual therapeutic goal that might that should bring his work forward rather than lead to its banning.
This is an interesting book for those interested in this idea, and to hear from the actual creators of works challenged for their content.