In over 20 years, here has been no book that has been banned in the country of New Zealand. This has all changed with an award-winning book written by Ted Dawe. His book Into the River has been banned after being criticized by a Christian group.
The Guardian reported that the Film and Literature Board of Review band the book after a conservative group known as Family First lodged a complaint. They reportedly cited the book’s use of sexually explicit content and mention of drug use, as well as slang being used in regards to female genitalia.
While the book is being pulled from the country’s schools, bookshops and libraries, a review will be done within the next month or so to decide whether the ban will be permanent.
Anyone who distributes the book faces a fine up to $10,000.
The book won the New Zealand Post Children’s Book award two years ago and its age group is geared toward teenage males. Dawe wrote the book because as a teacher, he found it challenging to give male students the books that “’spoke’ to them.”
He also stated that many young adults found it tough to talk to others and through the novel, “the teenager can navigate through issues such as race, sexual orientation, body issues, class discrimination and bullying and harassment.”
Joanna Mathew with the Library and Information Associated of New Zealand said she had read the novel herself and felt that while “there is content in there that is confronting it doesn’t warrant being banned.”
Twitter had their own words to say about the ban.