Dear Scholastic members and representatives,

We hope this letter finds you well. We are writing in response to your recent statement addressing the misconceptions surrounding the creation of a separate collection called "Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice" for diverse titles in U.S. elementary school book fairs. While we appreciate your commitment to offering diverse books and recognize the challenges posed by state legislation and local policies, we believe that Scholastic's decision to create a separate collection of diverse titles gives the perception of shadow banning.

It is essential to clarify our concerns about this approach. Scholastic Book Fairs, being invited into schools, presents an opportunity to challenge the removals, prosecutions, and restrictions of books that violate the principles of free speech and equal protection under the law. While we understand the legal complexities and potential risks involved, it is crucial to consider the broader implications of such decisions. Filing a federal lawsuit, or joining with other organizations who are filing these lawsuits, against these banning laws could not only protect the rights of educators but also set a precedent for defending diversity and inclusivity in school libraries.

We strongly disagree with the assertion that these laws create an almost impossible dilemma for Scholastic Book Fairs. Instead, they provide an opportunity to take a principled stand against censorship and discrimination. By opting for a separate collection, it could be perceived that Scholastic is placating to the demands of racist and bigoted groups supporting book bans. It is imperative for an organization with Scholastic's influence to take a bold stance against these divisive forces, and legal action may be the most effective way to do so.

Moreover, we do not share the perspective that "we don't pretend this solution is perfect – but the other option would be to not offer these books at all – which is not something we'd consider." We believe that a better option would have been to continue to offer and support diverse titles without schools and librarians having to opt-in to receive these books. By doing so, Scholastic could have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusivity without compromise.

We understand the challenges Scholastic faces, but we urge you to reconsider the decision to segregate diverse titles into a separate collection or require a double opt-in process. Instead, we encourage you to explore legal avenues to challenge restrictive legislation and stand firm in your commitment to providing books representative of ALL voices. This approach aligns with the values of inclusivity, free speech, and equal protection under the law that Scholastic should uphold.

Thank you for considering our concerns, and we hope that Scholastic Book Fairs will become a strong advocate for diversity and equality in education.

Sincerely,

DJ Johnson - Baldwin & Co. Bookstore
Julia Davis - The Book Worm Bookstore
Kathy Burnette -  Brain Lair Books
K.C. Boyd - The Boss Librarian
Tameca Blossom-Lyons - Brown Babies Books

In Support,

Linda-Marie Barrett, Executive Director,  Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance
Jamie Rogers Southern, SIBA President,  Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, NC
Janet Geddis, SIBA Board,  Avid Bookshop, Athens, Georgia
Jamie Fiocco, SIBA Board,  Flyleaf Books, Chapel Hill, NC
Jamie Anderson, SIBA Board,  Downtown Books, Manteo, NC
Nicki Leone, SIBA Staff
Candice Huber, Tubby & Coo's Mid-City Bookshop & SIBA Staff
SP Rankin, SIBA Staff

For reference:

Outraged at Scholastic’s Option to Opt in—or Out—of Receiving Diverse Books, Librarians Seek Book Fair Alternatives

Scholastic Urged to Explore Other Options Instead of Limiting or Partitioning Diverse Book Titles At School Book Fairs

Scholastic Book Fairs Comes Under Scrutiny

A Message from Scholastic on U.S. Book Fairs