When Book Bans Came to Small Town New Jersey
7 December 2022 - 44 mins explicitThis episode contains strong language.
In the contentious debate over who controls what happens in America’s schools, a new battleground has emerged: library books.
This is the story of what happened when parents in one town in New Jersey tried to remove a handful of books that they said were explicit and sexually inappropriate — and the battle that ensued.
Guest: Alexandra Alter, a reporter covering publishing and the literary world for The New York Times.
Background reading:
As highly visible and politicized book bans have exploded across the United States, librarians — accustomed to being seen as dedicated public servants in their communities — have found themselves on the front l...
Series Episodes
Karl-Anthony Towns Knows the Knicks' Win Was Bigger Than Basketball
New York’s star center on playing for his mom, Patrick Ewing. generations of emotional fans — and himself.
39 mins
25 July Finished
Could ‘Trump Accounts’ Actually Close the Wealth Gap?
The investment accounts created in last year’s tax bill allow babies to receive a $1,000 deposit from the federal government.
31 mins
24 July Finished
Why Is the U.S. Building the Saudi Nuclear Program While Destroying Iran’s?
Our reporter explains what both countries are getting out of the deal.
25 mins
23 July Finished
Trump’s Clashing Goals: More Housing, Fewer Immigrants
A new law aims to speed up building housing around the country. At the same time, the construction sector is reliant on foreign-born workers.
36 mins
22 July Finished
As the Iran War Escalates, Is the U.S. Hiding Its Toll?
Officials said dozens of U.S. service members have been injured in the war this month. The Pentagon said it didn’t initially disclose the injuries to protect operational security.
26 mins
21 July Finished
More Trump Tariffs Are Coming
Jamieson Greer, the U.S. trade representative, tells a Times reporter why he thinks that the administration’s tariff policy is working as intended.
40 mins
20 July Finished
