After several weeks of controversy, and accusations of censorship, Scholastic is ending its Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice collection. The Book Publisher apologized for the loss of trust and the pain they caused by introducing an exclusionary policy.
In two new statements, the first one released on their website was a brief but vague response that they would end the collection after causing mass confusion and feelings of exclusion, the program would end in January 2024. However, authors and creators received a different letter from Scholastic and Scholastic’s Trade Publishing president, Ellie Berger. Vicky Fang, author and illustrator of books such as Layla and the Bots, Ava Lin, and Best Buddies shared the letter she received (and others who have signed a statement that condemned the new policy) from the book publisher, which is listed below.
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The publisher apologized to authors, creators, and illustrators for its monumental mistake and acknowledged the concerns of their stakeholders across the industry (Heaven forbid endangering the intellectual growth and education of our children! But let’s worry about the shareholders!) saying “We sincerely apologize to every author, illustrator, licensor, educator, librarian, parent, and reader who was hurt by our action,” Berger wrote. Berger promised that Scholastic would “redouble our efforts to combat the laws restricting children’s access to books.”
People who have followed this controversy since it first debuted called the apology a win for collective action and what has been described as an unusual admission of accountability from a major publisher. Some remain cautious with a wait-and-see approach with Scholastic’s follow-through, and others question the publisher’s claims of good intentions with a realization that it was a mistake to segregate. Although the letter was addressed to the authors and illustrators they aggrieved, Berger’s words resonated across libraries, schools, and through creative channels, and of course, media outlets. PEN America which rebuked Scholastic’s earlier stance, Free Expression and Education program director Jonathan Friedman affirmed the change of heart.
“Scholastic recognized that, as difficult a bind as this pernicious legislation created, the right answer was not to become an accessory to censorship, Scholastic is an essential source of knowledge and a delight for countless children. We are glad to see them champion the freedom to read.”
Jonathan Friedman, Free Expression and Education Program Director
Source: Scholastic, Publishers Weekly
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