Montgomery County, in the state of Texas, is in controversy for having placed a historical book about the colonization of Native Americans in the “fiction” section of its children’s libraries, The Guardian reported this Monday, October 21.
The book in question Wampanoag colonization and historywas written by Linda Coombs in September 2023 and aims to introduce young readers to the Native American perspective on the history of colonization. However, following the decision of a citizen panel, it was placed in the “fiction” row of children’s libraries.
“To claim that this book is fiction detracts from our perspective on the facts and our history,” said Debbie Reese, founder of American Indians in Children Literature, an organization that offers critical analysis of the presence of Native Americans in literature.
34,000 signatures
In other Texas cities, including Houston, Austin and Fort Worth, all libraries acknowledged that it was indeed a work of nonfiction, local newspaper San Antonio Current reports. The decision to reclassify this book was made without the agreement of the librarians.
A petition asking the citizens panel to review its decision and put the work “in the right place” has collected more than 34,000 signatures. “As Texas parents, we oppose the decision to reclassify this book as fiction,” said Anne Russey, director of the Texas Freedom to Read Project.
Many groups and organizations, including Penguin Random House, condemn Montgomery County for this decision
Source: BFM TV
