What happens when freedom of expression comes under threat? In frank and wide-ranging interviews, historian and critic Leonard S. Marcus probes the experience of thirteen leading authors of books for young people.
A powerful photo essay on transgender teens is called anti-religious and anti-family. A meticulously researched primer on sex education stirs up accusations of pornography and child abuse. Picture books about two mommies (or two penguin daddies) set off a hue and cry. Two hugely popular children's series run afoul of would-be censors, one for its scatological humor, the other because it's deemed too scary. Kids' books that touch on race, sex, LGBTQ matters, the occult, "coarse language," and more have found themselves under the scrutiny of those who challenge First Amendment rights.
Tune in as thirteen top children's and young adult authors speak out about what it's like to have your work banned or challenged in America today. Prompted by Leonard S. Marcus's insightful questions, they discuss why their books have faced censorship—both blatant and "soft"—how the challenges have or haven't affected their writing, and why some people feel they have the right to deny access to books. In addition, Leonard S. Marcus puts First Amendment challenges in a historical context and takes a promising look at the vibrant support network that has risen up to protect and defend young people's rights.
Authors interviewed include:
Matt de la Peña
Robie H. Harris
Susan Kuklin
David Levithan
Meg Medina
Lesléa Newman
Katherine Paterson
Dav Pilkey
Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Sonya Sones
R. L. Stine
Angie Thomas.
You Can't Say That!
Writers for Young People Talk About Censorship, Free Expression, and the Stories They Have to Tell
-
Description
-
Creators
-
Details
-
Reviews

- Leonard S. Marcus - Editor
- Matt de la Peña - Contributor
- Robie H. Harris - Contributor
- Susan Kuklin - Contributor
- David Levithan - Contributor
- Meg Medina - Contributor
- Lesléa Newman - Contributor
- Peter Parnell - Contributor
- Katherine Paterson - Contributor
- Dav Pilkey - Contributor
- Justin Richardson - Contributor
- Sonya Sones - Contributor
- Angie Thomas - Contributor
- R.L. Stine - Contributor
Kindle Book
- Release date: July 13, 2021
OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9780763698522
- Release date: July 13, 2021
EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9780763698522
- File size: 17040 KB
- Release date: July 13, 2021

Loading
What happens when freedom of expression comes under threat? In frank and wide-ranging interviews, historian and critic Leonard S. Marcus probes the experience of thirteen leading authors of books for young people.
A powerful photo essay on transgender teens is called anti-religious and anti-family. A meticulously researched primer on sex education stirs up accusations of pornography and child abuse. Picture books about two mommies (or two penguin daddies) set off a hue and cry. Two hugely popular children's series run afoul of would-be censors, one for its scatological humor, the other because it's deemed too scary. Kids' books that touch on race, sex, LGBTQ matters, the occult, "coarse language," and more have found themselves under the scrutiny of those who challenge First Amendment rights.
Tune in as thirteen top children's and young adult authors speak out about what it's like to have your work banned or challenged in America today. Prompted by Leonard S. Marcus's insightful questions, they discuss why their books have faced censorship—both blatant and "soft"—how the challenges have or haven't affected their writing, and why some people feel they have the right to deny access to books. In addition, Leonard S. Marcus puts First Amendment challenges in a historical context and takes a promising look at the vibrant support network that has risen up to protect and defend young people's rights.
Authors interviewed include:
Matt de la Peña
Robie H. Harris
Susan Kuklin
David Levithan
Meg Medina
Lesléa Newman
Katherine Paterson
Dav Pilkey
Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Sonya Sones
R. L. Stine
Angie Thomas.

-
Details
Publisher:
Candlewick Press
Kindle Book
Release date: July 13, 2021
OverDrive Read
ISBN: 9780763698522
Release date: July 13, 2021
EPUB ebook
ISBN: 9780763698522
File size: 17040 KB
Release date: July 13, 2021
-
Creators
- Leonard S. Marcus - Editor
- Matt de la Peña - Contributor
- Robie H. Harris - Contributor
- Susan Kuklin - Contributor
- David Levithan - Contributor
- Meg Medina - Contributor
- Lesléa Newman - Contributor
- Peter Parnell - Contributor
- Katherine Paterson - Contributor
- Dav Pilkey - Contributor
- Justin Richardson - Contributor
- Sonya Sones - Contributor
- Angie Thomas - Contributor
- R.L. Stine - Contributor
-
Formats
Kindle Book
OverDrive Read
EPUB ebook
-
Languages
English
-
Reviews
Loading
Loading
Why is availability limited?
×Availability can change throughout the month based on the library's budget. You can still place a hold on the title, and your hold will be automatically filled as soon as the title is available again.
The Kindle Book format for this title is not supported on:
×Read-along ebook
×The OverDrive Read format of this ebook has professional narration that plays while you read in your browser. Learn more here.