Children's Picture Book in Alabama Raises Concerns Due to Author's Last Name

By Lucia Paula , Parent Herald Oct 09, 08:44 am

In an unexpected oversight, the children's picture book titled "Read Me a Story, Stella" found itself wrongly flagged for potentially "sexually explicit" content at the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library system in Alabama. What is the reason for this misunderstanding? The author's innocuous surname is "Gay".

Marie-Louise Gay's "Read Me a Story, Stella": Content Versus Controversy

Written by acclaimed author Marie-Louise Gay, the book is a heartwarming tale that encapsulates the world of two siblings and their shared love for reading.
Despite its wholesome content, the book was erroneously placed on a list of potentially inappropriate materials, all because of the keyword "gay". Thanks to the alertness and due diligence of the library staff, this mistake was caught in time, ensuring the book remained accessible in the children's section.

Reflecting on the incident, Cindy Hewitt, the HCPL executive director, expressed regret over the misjudgment. She clarified that the book found its way onto a list of 233 titles slated for review simply because of the unfortunate association with the author's last name.
"It's an oversight that should not have happened. We value diverse literature, and certainly, we're not going to touch that book for any reason," stated Hewitt.

The root of this error can be traced back to a directive provided to branch managers. They were instructed to use specific keywords, such as "sexuality, gender, sex, and dating", as criteria to review books for their appropriateness. However, as Hewitt noted, there was a significant miscommunication and misunderstanding about how these guidelines were to be implemented.

Anticipating Book Challenges: The Drive Behind the Review

The primary reason for initiating this review was in anticipation of potential "unprecedented" challenges regarding book content that the library system might face.
Addressing the oversight, Kirsten Brassard, the publicist for Gay from Groundwood Books, shared that this was an isolated instance of "Read Me a Story, Stella" being mistakenly flagged. She expressed, "While it might seem comical on the surface, we must remember the broader implications of such actions. It underscores the importance of due diligence in such processes."

Published in 2013, Gay's delightful book delves into Stella's world, where she becomes a beacon of literary wonder for her younger brother, Sam. An online summary of the book paints a vivid picture of their bond, detailing their joint endeavor to build a doghouse.

The controversial list, which inadvertently included Gay's creation, has faced extensive criticism, both from library insiders and the public. There's a growing concern that the list disproportionately targets books related to the LGBTQ community.
While Hewitt vehemently denied these claims, it's evident that the library system needs to revisit its book review protocols to prevent such missteps in the future.

Concluding the review, some books were shifted to the adult section based on their content, but many are yet to be reclassified. Hewitt emphasized the library's dedication to inclusivity, saying, "Our objective is always to have a collection that resonates with our diverse community. We never intended to eliminate any books; our goal was to review and classify them appropriately."