2020 Newbery Medal winner Jerry Craft, author and illustrator of the middle-grade New York Times bestsellers New Kid, Class Act, and several other works, recently made national headlines when Katy Independent School District canceled a virtual appearance by him and took his books off library shelves because a small but vocal group of community members took issue with his work. Although after several weeks the event was reinstated and the books were restored to library shelves, the need to heighten awareness of free speech and ensure that Houston-area kids and families have access to excellent books like Jerry Craft’s is important.
2020 Newbery Medal winner Jerry Craft, author and illustrator of the middle-grade New York Times bestsellers New Kid, Class Act, and several other works, recently made national headlines when Katy Independent School District canceled a virtual appearance by him and took his books off library shelves because a small but vocal group of community members took issue with his work. Although after several weeks the event was reinstated and the books were restored to library shelves, the need to heighten awareness of free speech and ensure that Houston-area kids and families have access to excellent books like Jerry Craft’s is important.
2020 Newbery Medal winner Jerry Craft, author and illustrator of the middle-grade New York Times bestsellers New Kid, Class Act, and several other works, recently made national headlines when Katy Independent School District canceled a virtual appearance by him and took his books off library shelves because a small but vocal group of community members took issue with his work. Although after several weeks the event was reinstated and the books were restored to library shelves, the need to heighten awareness of free speech and ensure that Houston-area kids and families have access to excellent books like Jerry Craft’s is important.