(10-7-24) This past year the Mercer County District Library faced issues concerning books in the library suitable for children. This situation faced locally is not one just here in the stateline…but around the country.

According to a Rockton-Roscoe News story this past week…last April at a Scholastic Book Fair at Prairie Hill Elementary School in South Beloit, Illinois a 4th grader told her parents about a book that she was excited about—Stars in Their Eyes by Jessica Walton and ASKA. One of her parents concern was that the book recommended reading age was 12 and up and for grades 7-9

In this lighthearted YA romance, Maisie and Ollie discover that nothing beats the feeling of falling in love for the first time.

Maisie is on her way to Fancon! She’s looking forward to meeting her idol, Kara Bufano, the action hero from her favorite TV show, who has a lower-leg amputation, just like Maisie. But when Maisie and her mom arrive at the convention center, she is stopped in her tracks by Ollie, a cute volunteer working the show. They are kind, charming, and geek out about nerd culture just as much as Maisie does. And as the day wears on, Maisie notices feelings for Ollie that she’s never had before. Is this what it feels like to fall in love?

Perfect for fans of Heartstopper and Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me, this graphic novel debut is a fresh, one-of-a-kind story that celebrates the excitement of meeting someone special for the first time.

Since April the issue about books suitable for children continues to be an issue today at Prairie Hill.

Prairie Hills Superintendent Clint Czizeck

The state of Illinois has placed explicit prohibitions on banning or restricting access to books in libraries. While the book fair is technically different from a library, we apply that law in the same spirit to the book fair.

When asked about parents involvement in book selection process Czizeck said–

At this time, there isn’t a plan to involve parents more directly in selecting books.

Illinois, thanks to Chicago and the suburbs, is a very liberal state compared to Ohio and the stateline area being quite conservative. Illinois legislators have decided they are better suited for knowing what is best for the children of the state in this situation.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker

“Here in Illinois, we don’t hide from the truth, we embrace it. Young people shouldn’t be kept from learning about the realities of our world; I want them to become critical thinkers, exposed to ideas that they disagree with, proud of what our nation has overcome, and thoughtful about what comes next. Everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in the books they read, the art they see, the history they learn. In Illinois, we are showing the nation what it really looks like to stand up for liberty.”