Censorship

A number of Lauren Myracle’s works have been challenged over the years; for several years in a row, books from the Internet Girls series ended up on the American Library Association’s list of Top 10 Banned Books. Another series aimed more at tweens was banned from book fairs because, among other things, one of the characters in the book is being raised by same sex parents (Corbett, 2011). When Myracle encountered this particular issue with Scholastic, she was willing to cede on some of their concerns, such as some of the words the characters say (e.g. “crap”) but not on the point of the same sex parents. She stated she thought it was terrible that Scholastic would feel it was inappropriate to present a book with lesbian parents; she recounted speaking at a school where several students had two mothers, and the book had such incredible impact on them. It is important that all kids feel their lives can be reflected in a book without it being deemed inappropriate (Brannan, Chbosky, & Myracle, 2009). Myracle further explains that libraries need to contain collections that show the wide variety of viewpoints, stating “we cannot live in a free society and develop our own opinions if our right to access information freely is compromised” (Book banning reaching fever pitch, 2011).

Myracle states that parents often get angry at the contents of her books. While the covers of the Internet Girls make the books seem like fluff pieces, there is more inside those covers than parents may expect. She explains that parents most strongly react to “thongs, tampons, and erections” (Lee, 2011). In fact, Newsweek reported that Ttyl, the first book in the Internet Girls series, was top book that parents tried to ban from schools and libraries in 2011, due to the book’s frank discussion of sex (Shelf Life, 2012). She has gotten called a pedophile without a conscience. But Myracle sees these complaints, which she often receives in the form of letters and emails, as parents acting out of fear, and love for their children. She says those who care about what their children are reading are not the enemy, but are instead misguided. Often, she attempts to open the lines of communication, writing back to upset parents; the attempt at creating a dialogue can backfire, but sometimes, it reminds Lauren that people are trying to protect their children from things that may be scary or dangerous. While these books themselves are neither scary nor dangerous, the concepts of sexuality and substance use that are described in the books are both scary and dangerous to many parents. It is important to Lauren that the “us versus them” mentality is avoided when dealing with those attempting to ban her books; it is much better to build bridges (Brannan, Chbosky, & Myracle, 2009). Despite her understanding, however, Lauren implores parents to trust their children, stating that allowing a child to read freely is an act of love (Flood, 2015).

Myracle admits that the first time her books appeared on the American Library Associations “Top 10 Most Challenged Books” list, she cried, and felt some shame. People wanted her work to disappear, and that was unsettling. However, as her books continue to be challenged, she finds herself growing in maturity, and becoming a champion for intellectual freedom. She jokingly states that her banned status helps give her son some “street cred”, because it makes her a cool mom (Myracle, 2012). On the general topic of the controversial nature of her works, Myracle explains that her books are “instilled with a strong moral compass”, despite what some of her challengers may believe (Myracle, 2011). One of the things that is most interesting about Lauren Myracle drawing such ire in the form of censorship is the wholesomeness she exhibits in person. According to her editor, Susan Van Metre, Lauren Myracle  even sings in the church choir (Corbett, 2011).

Graphic Reference

Harkleroad, T. (2017). Banned is cool. [digital image]. Retrieved from https://www.canva.com/design/DACU9rLf7kE/share?role=EDITOR&token=wgiN2O5ExhFSssFpUxs-zw&utm_content=DACU9rLf7kE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=sharebutton

Below is an interview Myracle did with ABC Radio in 2010, where she talks about her views on being a banned author.