A children’s picture book, “Read Me a Story, Stella,” by Canadian author Marie-Louise Gay, was mistakenly added to a list of potentially “sexually explicit” books for review by an Alabama library system. The inclusion was due to the author’s surname, “Gay,” triggering a keyword in the system.

Book Flagged for Review

The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library (HCPL) system in Huntsville, Alabama, included Marie-Louise Gay’s “Read Me a Story, Stella” on a list of books to be considered for removal from its children’s section. The book was flagged for potential “sexually explicit” content. According to Al.com, the book is a children’s picture book about a pair of siblings reading together and building a doghouse.

Cindy Hewitt, Executive Director of the HCPL, stated that the book was added to the list because the keyword “gay” was being searched without context. Hewitt told Al.com on Sunday that the book should not have been on the list. Hewitt also stated, “Obviously, we’re not going to touch that book for any reason,” and insisted, “There was never any intention to target the LGBTQ community.”

The list used to guide the book review process originated with Clean Up Alabama, described as a right-wing, pro-censorship group. “Read Me a Story, Stella” was one of 233 books set for review and potential relocation. The HCPL had flagged 233 books for containing the words “sexuality, gender, sex, and dating.” Other titles placed on the list included “A quick & easy guide to they/them pronouns,” “A quick & easy guide to queer & trans identities,” and Angie Thomas’ “The Hate U Give,” a young adult novel that depicts racially motivated police murders.

Hewitt explained that the library wanted to be proactive and allow staff to make decisions about moving material to an older age group, rather than having outside entities dictate those decisions. The review process was halted following public backlash.

Publisher Responds to Flagging

Karen Li, publisher at Groundwood Books, Marie-Louise Gay’s publisher, commented on the situation to Al.com. Li acknowledged the humor in the situation, stating, “Although it is obviously laughable that our picture book shows up on their list of censored books simply because the author’s last name is Gay, the ridiculousness of that fact should not detract from the seriousness of the situation.”

Li further elaborated on the broader implications of censorship, citing Angie Thomas’ “The Hate U Give” as another flagged book. Li noted, “As always, censorship is never about limiting access to this book or that one. It is about sending the message to children that certain ideas — or even certain people — are not worthy of discussion or acknowledgement or consideration.”

Li concluded by describing this message as hateful in a public library setting, where children are meant to feel safe and have their curiosity nurtured. Kirsten Brassard, Ms. Gay’s publicist at Groundwork Books, also described the situation as “laughable.”

Key Facts

  • “Read Me a Story, Stella,” a children’s picture book by Marie-Louise Gay, was flagged for review by the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library (HCPL) system.
  • The book was mistakenly added to a list of potentially “sexually explicit” titles because the author’s surname, “Gay,” triggered a keyword.
  • The book is about siblings reading together and building a doghouse, containing no sexual content.
  • The list of books for review originated with Clean Up Alabama, a pro-censorship group.
  • HCPL Executive Director Cindy Hewitt stated there was no intention to target the LGBTQ community and that the book would not be removed.
  • Karen Li, publisher at Groundwood Books, criticized the censorship, stating it sends a hateful message to children.