Politicization of Public Education: Scholastic Book Fair Backlash

During the week of October 16th, it was announced that Scholastic would allow schools to opt out of including diverse titles in the “Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice” collection in their elementary book fairs. This decision came following an increase in legislative restrictions on books featuring LBGTQ and BIPOC voices. After receiving backlash for this decision, Scholastic announced that they would retract this action.

  • “Wait. Does this mean that the books in the Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice collection will not be available to elementary book fairs at all? @Scholastic, please clarify.” —Teacher, N/A
  • “I’ll never understand policymakers who both say “We won’t ban books,” but consistently put libraries on the chopping block. If anything, defunding libraries and schools is how we got here.” —Math Educator in New York
  • “Wondering if anyone is planning a protest of Scholastic Book Fair division’s policy re: “diverse” texts at #NCTE23…if so, I’d like to help organize or support.” —Teacher, N/A
  • “Scholastic recently issued a news room update on their segregation of diverse titles in their Book Fairs. Despite a previous private conciliatory letter to authors and illustrators, this new and public update provides no clarity.” —Educator, N/A
  • “Holding @Scholastic accountable. Being relentless in their activism. Thank you, @diversebooks.” —Former Teacher in New York
  • “This statement suggests @Scholastic only has 2 options, but here’s a 3rd. They could choose to LEAD, & be on the right side of history, by refusing to enable these discriminatory legislations. BRAVERY is hard. True ALLYSHIP requires action. I’m afraid this compromise is neither.” —Teacher, N/A
  • “Also, if you’re concerned about the ‘knowledge gap,’ you should be deeply concerned about Scholastic’s latest moves to allow schools to exclude books on important Americans like John Lewis + Ketanji Brown. If you’re cool with Scholastic’s moves, you’re telling on yourself.” —Teacher, N/A
  • “Does anyone have any resources for school leaders on the Scholastic Book Fair failure? Looking specifically for a prepared letter that explains the concerns and makes a strong case for changing their opt-out policy.” —Elementary Teacher in New York
  • “I know we’re supposed to acknowledge when people change course because their actions are harmful but why am I still pissed at Scholastic? Rereading this didn’t help. “Oops, segregation is a bad idea, who knew?” is what’s getting me I think.” —Educator in Nevada
  • “Please take a stand against book banning altogether. You have the power, platform, and most definitely money. #BeBest @Scholastic.” —Elementary Teacher in California
  • “Looking for another option for book fairs that aren’t Scholastic? Follow this thread.” —Middle School Foreign Language Teacher in Michigan