Children's book publisher Scholastic has reversed its decision to allow school districts to opt in or out of selling a grouping of diverse books at their book fairs after facing widespread criticism. The company had created a collection of 64 titles featuring Black and brown community themes and LGBTQ+ characters, which it labeled as optional due to legislation in over 30 states restricting certain content in schools. However, this decision was met with backlash from the publishing industry, educators, parents, and authors. Scholastic's president, Ellie Berger, issued an apology to all those who were hurt by the action, acknowledging that it was a mistake to segregate diverse books.

Each year, Scholastic offers a catalog of different “cases” or groupings of books for book fair organizers to select from. This year's catalog included 13 modules, such as "Fun Facts and Favorite Characters" and "Picture Book Combo." The new addition was the diversity grouping called the "Share Every Story/Celebrate Every Voice Case." Among the separated titles were books about civil rights activist Ruby Bridges and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to sit on the Supreme Court. Although thousands of school districts had already made a decision about whether to opt out of the diverse books, specific breakdowns were not provided.

The criticism against Scholastic's decision came from various quarters. Prominent author and poet Amanda Gorman, whose book "Change Sings: A Children's Anthem" was included in the collection, expressed her disappointment in a social media video. Gorman recounted her childhood experiences of saving up money to buy books that represented her as a Black girl with a speech impediment. She criticized Scholastic for isolating diverse titles, calling it a betrayal.

PEN America, a free speech organization, praised Scholastic for reversing its initial policy, stating that the company recognized the need to not become an accessory to censorship. Scholastic's decision to backtrack was welcomed, as the company is an essential source of knowledge and reading enjoyment for countless children.

Scholastic's decision to separate diverse books was based on the recent legislation in various states, including Florida, that restricts the discussion of certain topics and the availability of certain books in schools. The company intended to help educators navigate these laws, but it faced strong opposition, with critics arguing that accommodating the restrictions would ultimately mask their impact. Scholastic's decision to apologize and promise to work towards combating these laws was seen as a step in the right direction.

The controversy surrounding Scholastic's decision highlights the ongoing debate about diverse representation in children's literature and the impact of restrictive legislation on education. Critics argue that these laws have the potential to deny children access to important stories and limit teachers' ability to provide a comprehensive education. Some advocates believe that publishers should refuse to do business in states with restrictive curriculum laws in order to bring attention to the detrimental impact on students.

Scholastic's reversal of its decision is seen as a positive outcome, although the broader issue of censorship and diverse representation in children's literature remains a point of concern. The company's pledge to stand with authors and illustrators and continue fighting against restrictions on children's access to books has been welcomed by those who believe in the freedom to read and the importance of inclusive literature.