Scholastic’s Ellie Berger pledged to get a greater range of books into the hands of children.
Catching up with PW's Andrew Albanese
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Scholastic announced this week the reversal of a recent decision to offer an optional package for diverse books at its school book fairs.
In a letter shared with authors and illustrators, from Scholastic Trade Publishing president Ellie Berger apologized for the loss of trust and “the pain caused.”
The proposed case of book titles, “Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice,” was enabling censorship, critics said.
“Berger’s letter was addressed to authors and illustrators, hundreds of who has signed a statement blasting the program and urging it to be abandoned,” reports Andrew Albanese, Publishers Weekly executive editor. “The letter was not released by the company but was shared on social media by some of the authors who received it.”
In the letter, Berger said that the offering will be “discontinued” starting with “the next book fair season,” in January 2024. Berger also pledged to find an alternate way to get a greater range of books into the hands of children.
Every Friday, CCC’s “Velocity of Content” features the editors and reporters of Publishers Weekly for an early look at what news publishers, editors, authors, agents, and librarians will be talking about when they return to work on Monday.
