This is a well-organized and accessible text for readers and researchers. Separated into five chapters, Mooney brings a balanced approach to the primary aspects of censorship and its consequences. Within the chapters, “Free Speech,” Banning Books,” “Controversy in the Classroom,” “Misinformation and Disinformation,” and “Debate Over Cancel Culture,” readers will discover current examples, current court cases, up-to-date pictures, and relevant quotations. Although there is a considerable amount of information contained here, it isn’t overwhelming because the chapters run between nine to 10 pages, and bright red headings, color photographs, and pull-out quotes break up the text. Most chapters also highlight specific issues, such as “Self-Censorship n Hollywood” and “Cross Burnings and Free Speech.” This will be accessible to most young adults, although students who haven’t had much exposure to nonfiction may need support. There are abundant source notes in addition to the lists of pertinent organizations, further reading, and websites for those who seek more information. An extensive index makes it simple for readers to find exactly the information that they need. VERDICT Quality material updated and organized for easy use makes this a good addition to libraries.

A well-organized, balanced, and up-to-date introduction to a complex topic.Limiting her book’s scope to the U.S., Mooney explains what is not protected by “the right to free speech” (for example, sedition and incitement to violence). She discusses obscenity, defamation, and symbolic speech, reminding readers that private entities may restrict speech. A chapter on book bans features cases where increas- ingly organized conservative censors, targeting content about race, gender expression, and sexual orientation, frame their actions as worries over children’s innocence. She also cites liberal concerns over insensitive content in some classics. A chapter on classroom controversies describes efforts to limit discussions of divisive issues in federally funded institutions, raises questions about what “age-appropriate” means, and touches on the clash between historical complexity and these laws’ vagueness. The following chapter, “Censoring Online Speech, Misinformation, and Disinformation,” delves into the challenges of moderating content in an online environment, including how difficult it can be to determine what information is false, as attested to by changing expert opinions on the Covid-19 lab-leak theory. The final chapter considers the question of “cancel culture,” framed by some as accountability and by others as cen- sorship; Mooney explores its potential encouragement of self-censorship and related topics. Given the work’s brevity, some important details and context are omitted, but this is an accessible overview, enhanced by photographs and useful text boxes.

Offers no easy answers but plenty of material to begin a discussion. (picture credits, source notes, organizations and websites, further research, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18)