In 1965, a book called Ducks on Parade was published by author William F. Hastings. Beginning with its publication, Ducks on Parade has been one of the most challenged and censored books in print because of its themes of death, violence, and racism. Ducks on Parade is a children’s book about a squad of all black ducks who is shot because the local hunters think they are ugly, useless, and dangerous. The primary group who has been against the publication and sales of Ducks on Parade are concerned parents. They claim that the book exposes children to themes they are not able to understand and that, “children shouldn’t have to learn the ugly facts of life at such a young age.” Proponents of the book, including William F. Hastings, contend that the book helps students to understand the history of their country’s battle with racism which many students are still confronting today. In a 1983 interview, Hastings explained that, “I know this book can be tough to read, but I think we must educate our children about racism if we hope to ever end racist thoughts and practices in our society.”
The parents’ activism group, PABB, or Parents Against Bad Books, has had Ducks on Parade pulled from school and local libraries and protested when the book was named to the American Library Association’s “Best Books for Tough Topics” list in 1990. Despite the controversy, teachers and school librarians continue to shelve the book at schools and teach it in their classrooms. Ann Anderson, a teacher in Michigan, wrote on her blog, “Ramblings of a 2nd Grade Teacher” that she continues to teach the book because, “my students have traditionally gotten a lot out of the text and it helps us have interesting and thoughtful classroom discussions.” Anderson became the subject of controversy in 2009 when a local group of parents tried to have her removed from her position at White Oaks Elementary in Flint, Michigan because of her use of Ducks on Parade in her classroom. While it is unclear what the future of this embattled book will be, it is clear that the feelings on both sides of the issue are strong and will continue to cause difficulties for years to come.