As a former school librarian, I am horrified at the harm that this title could visit upon children. Imagine that you are a Muslim and/or Middle Eastern child (perhaps the only one) in your elementary school classroom, and your teacher or librarian holds up this book and reads the title. Imagine the looks from other children, the potential lunchtime or recess torture, that could result solely from the impact of the cover and title.
The Open Letter implores Abrams to do better; I join them in this ask.
UPDATE: In a statement this afternoon (Friday, November 23), Abrams wrote, "ABRAMS has decided to withdraw publication of the adult graphic novel, A Suicide Bomber Sits in the Library, which was to be published on its Abrams ComicArts list in May 2019." The full statement can be found here; you can find responses to the book's cancellation on twitter here and here and here.
-Allie Jane Bruce
4 comments:
The interest level is for Adult. I wouldn't be buying this for my elementary/middle school library.
Abrams labeled it an adult GN in their statement, but everything leading up to the book being pulled pointed to the book being for young people. This was really just a move by the publisher to try to deflect blame, and I frankly find it exasperating.
Yes, there's something dishonest about all the criticism I think.
greg, can you explain your comment? What is it you find dishonest?
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