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Fostering Inclusivity and Empathy: The Crucial Role of Book Clubs

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Originally published in TEACH Magazine, March/April 2024 Issue

By Fiona Tapp

Literary and educational communities are grappling with the challenge of recent book bans across the United States. In 2022 alone there were 137 gag order bills introduced in 36 state legislatures that sought to limit what materials could be taught or made available in public schools and libraries. Like so many American trends, this one is unfortunately migrating up to Canada too, with recent news stories such as a ban on books containing LGBTQ+ themes by the Waterloo Catholic District School Board.

John Chrastka, executive director of EveryLibrary (a national political action committee dedicated to libraries), says that the current moves toward censorship highlight a dark legacy. “Limiting access to information, curtailing exposure to ideas, and diminishing opportunities to discover have never been best practices in education—or in civil society,” he notes. “The political regimes that practice censorship find themselves on the wrong side of history.”

Kenneth Kunz, past president and current active board member of the International Literacy Association, says that attempts to remove certain books from schools prevent children from learning essential skills. “We are a globally connected community with diverse cultures, experiences, and worldviews,” he explains. “Being able to respectfully, collaboratively, and empathetically participate in such communities requires background knowledge, as well as an ability to tolerate the discomfort of different ideas or difficult history.”

Book Clubs for Social Change

Amidst these rising concerns, how can educators ensure that their students have access to a rich tapestry of stories that reflect the diversity of the world around them? Book clubs emerge as a beacon of hope, offering a platform for open dialogue, critical thinking, and the celebration of varied perspectives, along with the chance to become part of a community of book lovers.

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Fiona Tapp is a former teacher and school administrator of 13 years. She writes about education, parenting, and travel for a variety of publications including National Geographic, The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, The Sunday Times, and many more.

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Fiona Tapp
Fiona Tapp
Fiona Tapp is a former teacher and school administrator of 13 years. She writes about education, parenting, and travel for a variety of publications including National Geographic, The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, The Sunday Times, and many more.

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