Chris Crutcher is an award-winning author, former family therapist, and lifelong advocate for intellectual freedom. Raised in Cascade, Idaho, he found his way to storytelling through an unconventional path—from reading Playboy for the articles to working as a teacher and director at an alternative school in Oakland and later as a family therapist specializing in child abuse and neglect. His real-world experiences directly shaped his raw, unflinching novels, tackling abuse, trauma, identity, and resilience with brutal honesty and humor.
In this conversation, Crutcher shares how his life as a therapist shaped his storytelling, how humor balances darkness, and why censorship harms young readers more than it protects them. He explores the difference between innocence and ignorance, urging parents to engage in discussions rather than banning books. He also discusses his upcoming nonfiction project, Stotanic Verses, which highlights real-life stories of resilience.
A recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award and two Intellectual Freedom awards, Crutcher’s works, including Whale Talk and Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, have frequently been challenged for their honesty but continue to inspire and empower young readers. Watch now as he dives into storytelling, truth, and the fight to keep books in the hands of readers.
visit his website: http://www.chriscrutcher.com/
00:01 - Introduction - Chris Crutcher: Fearless Storytelling
00:33 - Life as a Therapist - How Real Stories Shaped His Writing
01:10 - Redefining Heroism - Seeing Strength in Unexpected Places
03:15 - Writing About Trauma - Creating Characters with Depth
03:46 - "Losers Bracket" - The Complexity of Family Ties
07:16 - The Role of Humor - Balancing Darkness with Laughter
10:14 - Censorship and Book Challenges - Fighting for Intellectual Freedom
12:01 - The First Book Ban - A Family Rooted in Free Speech
15:01 - The Danger of Censorship - Silencing Voices, Silencing Kids
17:19 - Innocence vs. Ignorance - Why Hiding the Truth Harms Youth
18:54 - Encouraging Dialogue - Parents, Read With Your Kids
19:26 -"Stotanic Verses" - A Nonfiction Project on Resilience
21:38 - A Letter to His Younger Self - Lessons from a Life of Storytelling
24:58 - Closing - The Power of Stories to Change Lives
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Hi, I'm Christopher. Unban Coolies advocates for diverse books in public schools and libraries, fighting against the current wave of book bans and censorship.
Inspired by the children's book COOLIES, where I saw myself in the characters, I was shocked to learn it was banned in some districts. This ignited my desire to act. I discovered other classics facing the same fate, such as The Diary of a Young Girl, To Kill a Mockingbird and many others.
Unban Coolies is nonpartisan and respects diverse viewpoints. We promote inclusivity for people from all backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, beliefs, and values.
On this platform, all perspectives are welcome for meaningful discussions. Together, let's champion diverse voices and create an inclusive literary landscape.
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