Virginia Beach School Board Fights to Ban Toni Morrison Book
School board members in Virginia Beach are fighting to ban work by Toni Morrison due to the “pornography” and “pedophilia” found in the book. Morrison’s novel The Bluest Eye is on a list of novels being challenged for “pornographic” content, along with Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison, A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines, and Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe. Two school board members, Victoria Manning and Laura Hughes, were the ones to question the books’ contents. Last week, Manning wrote in a letter sent to Virginia Beach City Public Schools Superintendent Aaron Spence, “It has been brought to my attention by some parents that there are some disturbing books in our district that are available to students.” In regards to The Bluest Eye, Manning said she didn’t read the whole book, but “just reading a few of the pages gives me utter disgust.” Superintendent Aaron Spence says that all of the schools’ physical and digital materials have been vetted by instructional staff with the Department of Teaching and Learning.
Will Poulter Joins the Guardians of the Galaxy Cast
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has added Will Poulter to its cast in the role of Adam Warlock. Sources say that multiple actors were considered to play the classic Marvel character, including Bridgerton‘s Regé-Jean Page and 1917‘s George MacKay. James Gunn, who is the director for all three of the Guardians of the Galaxy films, tweeted, “Welcome to the Guardians family, Will Poulter. He’s an amazing actor and wonderful guy. See you in a couple weeks.” Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has a release date of May 3, 2023.
Here’s the Shortlist for the TS Eliot Prize for Poetry
Ten collections make up this year’s shortlist for the TS Eliot prize for poetry. This year’s contenders for £25,000 prize are: All the Names Given by Raymond Antrobus; A Blood Condition by Kayo Chingonyi; Men Who Feed Pigeons by Selima Hill; Eat or We Both Starve by Victoria Kennefick; The Kids by Hannah Lowe; Ransom by Michael Symmons Roberts; single window by Daniel Sluman; C+nto & Othered Poems by Joelle Taylor; A Year in the New Life by Jack Underwood; and Stones by Kevin Young. The winner of the 2021 prize will be announced in January.
School District Tells Teachers to Balance Holocaust Books with “Opposing” Views
Carroll school district has advised teachers to include books that have “opposing” perspectives on the Holocaust because of a new Texas bill.