Booking should not be available in elementary schools in Arendal municipality, recommended school chief Karl Axel Moen, according to Agderposten. On Monday, he asked Roligheden school to remove the publication from their libary shelves – to strong protests.
– it is indeed related to illustrative images adn the school’s reputation.It is about creating a good and trust-based collaboration with the parents, Moen told the newspaper.
he confirms that the decision is due to the sexual representations in “Gender Queer,” and claims there is no desire to either ban or censor the book’s message.
In a statement to Agderposten, he emphasizes that the decision was about age recommendations and refers to Biblioteksentralen, which has recommended “Gender queer” for the age group from 16 to 18 years and up.
Moen tells the newspaper that including the book in a school library may be perceived as challenging for some families and lead to needless conflicts between the school and home.
CRITICISM: The book has faced heavy criticism in the US, where several libraries have removed it. Photo: AP/NTB
Banned in the US
“Gender Queer,” written by Maia Kobabe, is described by Norwegian bookstores as a comic book that explores gender, identity, and how to find one’s place in the world.
The book received a rating of 5 when Dagbladet reviewed it.
The reviewer Andreas Wiese pointed out that the book had been banned in some school libraries and classrooms in the US – and suggested that it may be connected to organized campaigns from conservative organizations.
America’s most banned book
– must have made a mistake
Author Birger Emanuelsen says he has received a stream of inquiries and desperate messages from other parents and colleagues after he took to Facebook when the book was removed.
– It must be clear to all responsible that school chief Karl Axel Moen made a mistake by recommending Roligheden school to remove the book, he tells Dagbladet Bok.
Regarding the book’s removal due to the recommended age for readers, Emanuelsen states that books that might potentially be perceived as crossing the line for some can be valuable or crucial for others.
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Outraged over sex book: – The world is crazy
– There are no age limits on books.Libraries use age codes to help readers find books that match their age and maturity level. The goal is not to restrict, but to ensure that the reader has a good experience, he says.
– should it also be removed? What if I demanded it, as a parent? Would the school chief remove that book to ensure that there were no “unnecessary conflicts and distrust between school and home”?
Emanuelsen states that the municipality should not deprive children and youth of the possibility to read selected books through censorship.
– The school chief’s actions are clearly unnecessarily intrusive, and the decision must be reversed as quickly and clearly as possible.
School Chief: – More parents are complaining
School chief Karl Axel Moen explains to dagbladet Bok that no decision has been made in this case, nor has it been determined that the book should be removed from all schools in Arendal.
– This was a small discussion between me and one school, to address the strong opinions of some parents regarding a book, he says.
He tells that there was a fear that the book’s illustrations could be taken out of context, and that he was not concerned about the book’s theme itself – he describes the theme as “important”.
– The book will likely return to the library when all the arguments presented in this case are considered, Moen says.
By Tuesday afternoon, it is clear that the book is back on the library shelves.
The school chief emphasizes that the schools in the municipality have a societal mission to ensure that everyone feels included, regardless of whom they love and what
– No. The libraries stand together on the professional good assessments of which books to include, and each school makes its choice regarding what is wise and what resonates with children and young people. We want to promote a love for reading.
the “Gender Queer” debate started due to complaints from parents, confirms Moen, who says they are experiencing more complaints from parents now than before.
– Many have strong opinions about education, and we must make good assessments to adapt where appropriate. And take a stance where we beleive they are wrong, he says, and continues:
– But the school should not let itself be dictated by parents. every teacher has the freedom of method, but the choices they make should be well-founded.
Publisher Bård Nannestad says that he is shocked that the book was removed.
– That this happens in Norway, like! It should not happen in a country that is so concerned about freedom of expression, Nannestad tells Dagbladet Bok.
He believes the removal is happening at a time when there is much resistance against queer identities and being transgender,stating that this resistance has increased as the shooting at London Pub in 2022.
– I hope this is not naive, but for me, this seems like a very rushed decision, based on the fact that some parents have complained. Without considering the consequences of censorship of books and freedom of expression, says Nannestad.
How does censorship in education affect students’ understanding of diverse identities?
Interview: A Discussion on Censorship and Educational choices
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Good afternoon! Today we have the privilege of speaking with Birger Emanuelsen, a seasoned author and educator, who has been vocal about the recent controversy surrounding the removal of the book “Gender Queer” from Roligheden school in Arendal. Welcome, Birger!
Birger Emanuelsen: Thank you for having me. Its great to be here.
Interviewer: Let’s dive right in. School chief Karl Axel Moen recommended removing “Gender Queer” due to its sexual representations and the need to maintain a positive relationship with parents. What is your take on this?
Birger Emanuelsen: I believe it was a notable mistake. while the intention may have been to uphold a good rapport with parents, this decision disregards the complexities of children’s literature and the important conversations that such books can prompt.
Interviewer: Moen mentioned that the book is recommended for readers aged 16 and up. do you think age recommendations are justified in this context?
Birger Emanuelsen: Age recommendations serve a purpose; however, they can be quite restrictive. Books like “Gender Queer” can provide invaluable discussions on identity and acceptance—conversations that many young people need but might not get elsewhere. By removing the book, we’re potentially silencing those important dialogues.
Interviewer: You’ve mentioned receiving a stream of inquiries from concerned parents and colleagues. What kinds of responses have you been seeing?
Birger Emanuelsen: Many parents are frustrated and feeling helpless—they want their children to have access to diverse narratives that reflect their realities and struggles. The response I’ve seen has been overwhelmingly in support of keeping the book available, as it might very well be life-changing for some students.
Interviewer: This isn’t the first time “Gender Queer” has faced scrutiny. It’s notable that the book has been banned in schools across the U.S. Could you elaborate on how this might be connected to broader cultural or political movements?
Birger Emanuelsen: Absolutely. The banning of “Gender Queer” in the U.S. is emblematic of organized campaigns against LGBTQ+ literature led by conservative factions.This controversy often arises in environments where diversity and inclusion are not fully embraced. If we allow fear to dictate what is permissible in our schools, we risk stifling critical thought and understanding.
Interviewer: As an educator, how do you believe schools should approach sensitive topics in literature?
birger Emanuelsen: Schools should become safe spaces for all kinds of conversations, including those that explore arduous or sensitive topics. A well-rounded education includes not just the classics but also current, diverse narratives that challenge norms and expand students’ worldviews. Rather then removing materials, we should focus on fostering the skills necessary to engage with complex themes thoughtfully and respectfully.
Interviewer: That’s a compelling outlook. What message woudl you like to convey to those in positions of educational authority regarding this issue?
Birger Emanuelsen: I urge educational leaders to consider the long-term implications of censorship. Instead of reacting out of fear, we should champion diversity of thought. Literature has the power to forge connections and understanding among students with varied backgrounds, and we must embrace this rather than shy away from it.
Interviewer: Thank you, Birger, for your insights today. It’s evident that this issue is far from resolved, but discussions like this are a necessary step towards fostering an inclusive educational habitat.
Birger Emanuelsen: Thank you for the platform to share these thoughts. It’s crucial that we keep these conversations alive.