Image by Courtesy of Jessica Herthel

It’s Banned Books Week, and as it turns out, two of the books on the American Library Association’s “Frequently Challenged Books” list have Jewish ties.

The first “Two Boys Kissing” was written by David Levithan, a New York Times bestselling author, who has also authored “Wide Awake,” about the first gay Jewish presidential candidate. “Two Boys Kissing,” which concerns two teenage boys who wish to break the world record for the longest time kissing, was placed on the list for its depictions of homosexuality and for “[condoning] public displays of affection.”

The other book son the list, “I Am Jazz” was co-authored by Jessica Herthel, a Jewish writer and transgender advocate, and Jazz Jennings, a transgender teenager with a significant YouTube following. It was put on the list for its depictions of homosexuality and sex education. The book is a picture story for kids about a transgender child, based on Jennings’ own experience.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

The book idea came about after Herthel met Jenning’s mother and wanted to explain Jenning’s transition to her own two children. The book aims to extend that idea, to serve as an explanation for kids about what transgender means and a guide or crutch for parents who don’t know how to explain transgender.

When the book was released in 2012, it wasn’t banned and Herthel was surprised and disappointed, thinking that it hadn’t ruffled feathers in the way she had wanted.

Now with this week being Banned Book Week, Herthel sees it as a win because libraries are displaying copies out on tables for people to see.

“Now transgender politics is on everybody’s minds,” she said.

Britta Lokting is the Forward’s culture fellow.

The Forward is free to read, but it isn’t free to produce

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

This is a great time to support independent Jewish journalism you rely on. Make a gift today!

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$90 $180

$360

Other amount