Books

Andrew Michael Johnson’s book of poetry and prose, “The Thread,” explores cosmic events and everyday moments.

Of the titles depicted on the iconic 26-foot-tall book spines on the Kansas City Public Library's parking garage, 11 have been banned or challenged in the past.

A school librarian recalls ‘surreal’ police visits at a Missouri high school library. And a revolt is brewing at Emporia State University after 33 staff members were laid off due to budget cuts.

Rinker Buck has combined history and adventure since he was a teen. His latest expedition highlighted the role of the flatboat in opening the western frontier.

A new Missouri law banning “explicit sexual material” on school property went into effect Aug. 24, prompting books to be removed from classrooms and libraries. The Missouri Association of School Librarians pointed to a potential exemption "if considered artistic or informational in nature.”

Whether you read every book on your summer list or missed the reading-at-the-beach season altogether, here are some titles that are good any time.

The new book "Iconic Restaurants of Kansas City" takes readers on a journey to discover the roots of Kansas City's favorite eateries such as the Colony Steakhouse, Allen's Drive-In and Smaks.

Art Smith, the parent of a nonbinary child, said the Independence School District’s removal of a book including a non-binary character makes it hard for kids like his to feel welcome. Other parents say the book isn’t age-appropriate.

In 1995 the Olathe School District lost its case to remove a book about teenage lesbian love from its schools. Protecting students' First Amendment right to such materials in their libraries is still ongoing.

Kansas City author David Cantwell, who just published a new version of a book he wrote years ago, says Merle Haggard was 'constantly singing about the things that we're still arguing about today.'

The district said the decision was about parents having enough information to choose what is appropriate for their children. But the one board member who voted to keep the book in libraries called the move "dangerous."

Though each person's grief at the loss of loved one is unique, we can be supportive of ourselves and of each other in processing it.