Skip to Content
/ Articles / Education /

Berks Libraries Host Amy Sarig King for Community Conversation on Book Censorship

by Berks County Public Libraries

Aug 08, 2022
Books & Reading

Award-winning and best-selling author Amy Sarig King (A.S. King) is working with Berks Libraries to launch her new middle-grade book, “Attack of the Black Rectangles.” Join the libraries on September 7, 2022 at 7 pm at the Reiffton School, 4355 Dunham Drive, Reading 19606.

King will be reading an excerpt from her impactful and timely new middle-grade novel that tackles censorship and intolerance, host a Q&A, and sign books for patrons.

King is the 2022 recipient of the American Library Association’s Margaret A. Edwards Award for her significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature, helping adolescents become aware of themselves and addressing questions about their role and importance in society, relationships, and the world.

She is also a local, who grew up in Berks County. Her 2010 YA novel, “Please Ignore Vera Dietz,” prominently features the Pagoda.

The event was revealed after several mysterious posts appeared on Berks Libraries’ social media pages earlier in the month, which cryptically warned patrons, “Someone doesn’t want you to know,” leaving readers guessing what the program could possibly be.

The cryptic message was in reference to King’s new book, in which the story’s protagonist, Mac, discovers that his school copy of Jane Yolen’s “The Devil’s Arithmetic,” has words intentionally blacked out. When Mac realizes what the words are, he’s outraged. Someone in his school is trying to prevent kids from reading the full story. But who?

“This book is so timely,” said Marissa Guidara, youth services district consultant for the Reading Library District. “This event will be a great way to start a conversation with our community here in Berks about the book censorship that is happening all around our nation.”

Libraries will also be hosting a variety of programs throughout the fall using King’s book.

Refreshments will be served and books will be sold at the event by Aaron’s Books from Lititz, PA.

More information can be found at www.berkslibraries.org/rectangles. The program is open to all, is free, and is sponsored by the Reading district libraries’ equity, diversity, and inclusion Committee.

We need your support!

Your contribution makes community media possible.

A donation of any size to your nonprofit media organization supports the future of media access in our community - the things you love, and the places you care about, by the people you know.

Live Streaming