HarperCollins, Scholastic Back Texas Patrons in Book Ban Appeal

“For nearly half a century,” courts have recognized that book bans are unconstitutional, major US publishers including HarperCollins Publishers LLC, Penguin Random House LLC, and Scholastic Inc., have told a US appeals court.

Those companies and others, plus the American Association of Publishers, are backing patrons in a lawsuit challenging the sequester of 17 titles by the Llano County, Texas, public library. The plaintiffs allege the books—many of which address racism and LGBTQ+ themes—were unlawfully placed behind a desk in an unpublicized collection because officials disagreed with their content and viewpoints.

“The First Amendment is neither ‘woke’ nor ...