Censorship and Banned Books

Challenged in Rio Rancho, NM in 2023.
Source: Albuquerque Journal. April 14, 2023. (https://www.abqjournal.com/news/local/book-ban-proposal-causes-stir-at-rio-rancho-council-meeting/article_957d3c61-f40f-5bf1-b14f-61bc6c95b853.html)

New Mexico author Anaya's work is number 75 on the list of most frequently challenged books. Banned from Bloomfield, NM high school (1981) where school board member remarked "We took the books out and personally saw they were burned."
2008: Banned from the Orestimba High School’s English classes in Newman, Calif. after complaints that the book is profane and anti-Catholic.
2005: Superintendent of the Norwood (Colorado) High School banned the book for its profanity even though he admits he never read it.
Source: Albuquerque Journal, March 31, 2013

In May 1968 an Albuquerque high school student complained to the Rev. Bradley Parsons (Albuquerque Baptist Church) about the book’s use of profanities. The Reverend by-passed school board procedures, going directly to the media. Parsons admitted he had not read the book, yet his actions led parents and parishioners to read the book in search of profanity. For failure to follow school board procedures, Parsons’ claim was dismissed and the book remained in use.
Source: In cold fear: The Catcher in the Rye censorship controversies and post-war American character by Pamela Hunt Steinle.

Challenged at the Roswell Public Library in 1992 because the book's intent is to "indoctrinate in the gay lifestyle."

Source: Associated Press, September 8, 1992 and reprinted https://www.deseret.com/1992/9/8/19003729/town-wants-daddy-s-roommate-to-move-out

In 2007, the school superintendent in Clovis removed the book from the elementary school library. Although there were no complaints, the superintendent had heard that parents were upset and thought the book unacceptable for younger students. The author agreed and the book was removed from elementary school libraries.

Source: Osborne, C. (2013). Book Burnings in New Mexico. Southern New Mexico Historical Review, 23-26.

This multiple award-wining graphic novel was removed from the schools in the Canutillo, TX Independent School District in November 2021 on the grounds that the book was pornographic.

Sources:
1. https://cbs4local.com/news/local/canutillo-isd-removes-controversial-gender-queer-book-out-of-circulation
2. https://www.ktsm.com/news/book-at-canutillo-high-school-library-causing-concern-among-some-parents/
3. https://kvia.com/news/education/2021/11/15/parents-want-canutillo-isd-board-to-ban-gender-queer-book-from-school-library/

Burned in Alamogordo, NM (2001) outside Christ Community Church because the Potter series is “a masterpiece of Satanic deception.” Source: Albuquerque Journal, December 28, 2001.

Winner of the Caldecott Medal for children's illustrations.

Challenged at the El Paso, Tex. Public Library (1994) because "the little boy pictured did not have any cloths on and it pictured his private area."
Source: http://www.afn.org/~dks/banned/banned-books-94-95.html

Challenged by the Coalition of Conservatives in Action and objected to by the New Mexico Freedoms Alliance in Fall 2023 in Las Cruces. Objection based on the grounds the book has "very graphic sexual passages that are ... not age appropriate." Ultimately, the book was retained.

1. Source:https://www.krwg.org/krwg-news/2023-09-19/community-members-experts-weigh-in-on-book-controversy
2. Source: https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/las-cruces-new-mexico-public-schools-to-hold-hearing-on-controversial-book-found-in-high-school-library-lc-rosen-jack-of-hearts-and-other-parts-mayfield

Removed from classrooms in Carlsbad schools (1982) because it defines "obscene" words.
Source: https://blogs.illinois.edu/view/25/20915

In October 2013 the parent of an Alamogordo High School student complained the novel was 'inappropriate' for teens and the book was removed from the school's classrooms and the "required reading list." The book remained available in the school library and after a review process the following month was determined to be "educational suitable, balanced, and age-appropriate for high school students.”
Source: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?p=86008750

Challenged in Rio Rancho, NM in 2023.
Source: Albuquerque Journal. April 14, 2023. (https://www.abqjournal.com/news/local/book-ban-proposal-causes-stir-at-rio-rancho-council-meeting/article_957d3c61-f40f-5bf1-b14f-61bc6c95b853.html)

Published by El Paso's Cinco Punto Press, the funding for this title was revoked by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in 1999. According to the publisher, the NEA was concerned that "funds might end up in the hands of the Zapatistas." The book was ultimately published with financial backing of the Lannan Foundation.

Challenged in Rio Rancho, NM in 2023.
Source: Albuquerque Journal. April 14, 2023. (https://www.abqjournal.com/news/local/book-ban-proposal-causes-stir-at-rio-rancho-council-meeting/article_957d3c61-f40f-5bf1-b14f-61bc6c95b853.html)