Much to the astonishment of the Book Community, the Film and Literature Board of Review in New Zealand prohibited the sale and distribution of Mr. Dawe’s book under penalty of a fine up to 10 000 Euro.
Mr Dawe’s wrote and self-published his novel in an attempt to encourage young boys to pick up reading. He observed at his local school, that many students were unable to relate to the classical literature put in front of them. His strategy seemingly worked, as the book was well received by young audience and also more and more teachers were picking up the books, to be read in class.
The publishers of New Zealand were united in their appraisal of the novel and it has earned both the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year Award as well as the top prize in the Young Adult Fiction category at the 2013 New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards. This confirms that the book has struck a chord with many in New Zealand.
Regarding this widespread appraisal, the decision made by the Government of New Zealand to temporarily ban this book is even more incomprehensible. It cannot be that the interest of one group, the organisation Family First, is put ahead of all the rest of New Zealand.
The last weeks have seen an astonishing level of support from both authors and booksellers in and outside of New Zealand. Also more and more citizens of the country start to show their discontent with the government’s decision.
Books convey culture and culture empowers citizens. Booksellers stand for diversity of expression so that everyone can be properly educated and informed. The outspoken support Mr Dawe has received so far, gives testimony to this statement.
The European and International Booksellers Federation would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm its strong belief in and support for freedom of speech, publishing and bookselling.
Freedom of expression is a fundamental democratic principle which must be respected in all circumstances. It is the backbone of publishing and bookselling and we as booksellers defend and support it in the strongest terms.