Handmaid’s Tale among more than 200 books to be pulled at Edmonton public schools

The Edmonton Public School Board has recently come under fire for a controversial decision to remove over 200 books from library shelves in schools across the city. The list of banned books includes classics like “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Brave New World,” and “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” as well as contemporary titles by authors like John Green and Emily Henry.

According to a memo obtained by CBC News, the books were identified as containing sexually explicit content and will be removed from libraries for students in kindergarten through Grade 12. This decision comes in response to a new policy from Alberta’s education minister, which outlines stricter rules for the types of books allowed in school libraries.

In addition to books with sexually explicit content, titles with 2SLGBTQ+ themes, such as “Gender Queer” and “Two Boys Kissing,” are also being targeted for removal. The controversial move has sparked outrage among educators and community members, who argue that it will limit the diversity of perspectives and topics available to students.

While the Edmonton Public School Board has not officially released the list of banned books, Chair Julie Kusiek acknowledged that several excellent titles will be removed as a result of the government’s ministerial order. The board has expressed concerns about the policy and is working to ensure that only books meeting the criteria outlined in the order are removed.

Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides has stated that the government will review the list of banned books to ensure that the standards are accurately implemented. He emphasized that the policy is not about banning books, but rather about setting age-appropriate standards for school libraries.

Critics of the decision, including former Library Association of Alberta president Laura Winton, argue that the policy creates a “culture of fear” in the classroom and restricts the amount of material available to students. Winton believes that just because a book contains sexually explicit content does not mean it is not developmentally appropriate for teenagers.

As the debate over the banned books list continues, educators, parents, and students are left to grapple with the implications of this controversial decision on the education system in Edmonton.