CENSORED: Children’s Books in the 21st Century: A Conversation with author Jonah Winter, recipient of the Horace Mann Upstander Award 2024
September 25 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm EDT
Wednesday, September 25, 2024, 4 PM PT / 7 PM ET
Jonah Winter is this year’s winner of the Horace Mann Upstander Award winner for his book Banned Book (2023), published by Creative Editions with illustrations by Gary Kelley.
The author, publisher, and illustrator are the upstanders this year, along with the story’s brave fictional librarian who believes that children have a right to decide for themselves to read or not to read. In recognition of Banned Books Week, as part of Antioch Works for Democracy, we stand up against book banning and censorship with this special one-hour event.
Jonah Winter will read from his recent publication, noting, “My book does not have a happy ending because generally there are no happy endings when it comes to censorship — so this is by design. I want young readers to experience the “gift of outrage” as Ralph Nader has called his special talent, which hopefully will motivate them to action or at least to initiate ‘difficult’ conversations with their teachers and librarians and parents.”
Creative Editions, the publisher, affirmed that it will continue to embrace books and readers. We will continue to create and provide access to content that nurtures the idea of limitless possibility. Banned Book, new this season from award-winning author Jonah Winter, offers a satirical take on censorship, one designed to encourage discussion of rights and choices and what becomes of a book that’s banned.”
In 2007, Antioch’s Education Department launched the Horace Mann Upstanders Children’s Book Award, believing there was no better way to maintain and honor the legacy of Horace Mann than to name a book award honoring activist literature!
Panelist Info
Cynthia McDermott, Antioch University Professor Emerit will introduce Jonah Winter and will speak briefly about the Antioch Horace Mann Upstander Award.
Jonah Winter is the award-winning author of more than 40 children’s books that promote social justice, facts, artistic expression, nonconformity, and baseball. His books include three New York Times Best Illustrated Books Diego, Here Comes The Garbage Barge!, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Case Of RBG Vs. Inequality, along with Jane Addams Children’s Book Award recipient and Kirkus Prize finalist, Lillian’s Right to Vote, New York Times Notable Children’s Book, My Name is James Madison Hemings, New York Times Editors Choice, You Never Heard of Willie Mays?!, and New York Times Best Seller, Barack along with the story of the atomic bomb, The Secret Project.
This program is offered with support from Antioch Works for Democracy
