Welcome to Banned Books Week 2020
Until I worked at a public library, I didn’t realize what a big deal Banned Books Week is, or at least what a big deal it should be. When groups of people attempt to ban books, they often believe the are protecting another group from something harmful within those books. YA books, especially, are challenged because they “promote” behaviors that groups feel are dangerous for teens. Other books, however, are challenged for moral reasons, because of explicit language, or because one group disagrees with the way their religion is portrayed or because they disagree with the religion portrayed in the book. Regardless of the reason, banning books amounts to censorship.
I don’t go out of my way to read books on the ALA’s banned books list, but I do look at it each year to see why books are being challenged, and if there are any that pique my interest that I haven’t read yet.
When I was a child, books opened doors to worlds I would never be able get to in real life. Looking back, many of those doors led to places like Narnia (banned in 1990 for depicting graphic violence, mysticism, and gore) and Terabithia, one of my most beloved books as a child (read my Throwback Thursday blog here) and one of the most frequently challenged books in the United States. As an adult, reading books still open doors to fantasy worlds, but books also open my eyes to experiences that I will never have and help cultivate empathy and understanding that I wouldn’t necessarily have otherwise.
My Favorite Banned Books From the Last Five Years
Here are some of my favorite banned books from the last five years, pulled from the ALA’s lists of banned books for each of these years. They have all impacted me in different ways, as a parent, a teacher, a reader, a writer… but they all impacted me as a person. If you don’t make a habit of checking out the ALA’s lists, I encourage you to do so, and I definitely encourage you to check out some banned books this week! Whether one of my favorites becomes one of yours or you discover something new entirely, step out and Find Your Freedom to Read!
The American Library Association (ALA) condemns censorship and works to ensure free access to information. Every year, the Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) compiles a list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books in order to inform the public about censorship in libraries and schools. The lists are based on information from media stories and voluntary reports sent to OIF from communities across the U.S.
Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James- 2015
Reasons: sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, and other (“poorly written,” “concerns that a group of teenagers will want to try it”
Before I read these books, so many people told me I was going to HATE them. They were trash. They were smut. The writing was terrible and I would never even get through the first chapter of the first book. Spoiler Alert… I didn’t hate them. I liked them so much I actually wrote a blog post about how much fun it was to read them over spring break one year (read it here).
These books challenged me as a reader to not worry so much about what other people thought and just enjoy the story. While I get what some of the controversy was about, there are plenty of books that are just as explicit that don’t get the negative press these do. These were fun beach reads and that’s what I recommend them as.
Looking for Alaska by John Green (2015, 2016)
Reasons: challenged for a sexually explicit scene that may lead a student to “sexual experimentation.”
First of all, I have to say I am SHOCKED that the only reason this book is challenged is for one sexually explicit scene. The main characters (a group of teens at a boarding school) drink and smoke throughout the entire book, and drugs and sex are discussed like they are no big deal.
Hank “loves weed like Alaska loves sex.”
I love this book. I love it as a reader. I love this book as a parent and a writer. It makes me want to shake my kids and force them to understand that parents were kids once, too. It makes me want to write beautiful words. If you have not read this book (and now, you can watch the series on Hulu), I highly recommend it. Just be ready to have your heart broken.
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell (2016)
Reason: challenged for offensive language
I find it offensive that this book is on the challenged list. It is a sweet YA romance, full of emotions, mixed tapes, and nostalgia and the fact that anyone would challenge it is personally insulting.
I love Rainbow Rowell’s writing style. If you haven’t read this and her other books, I highly recommend them!
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (2017)
This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, considered an American classic, was challenged and banned because of violence and use of the N-word
As many times as To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee has been challenged by school boards, I am thankful I was able to read this in school as a child. I’ve read it again as an adult and loved it even more.
I remember being disturbed by the violence and the use of the N-word, but even more disturbed by the blatant racial intolerance in the book.
If you haven’t read this classic yet, read it now. Yes, it will bother you but books should push you out of your comfort zones occasionally. That’s what helps you grow and become empathetic.
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (2017, 2018)
Reasons: banned, challenged, and restricted for addressing teen suicide
This is book almost destroyed me. I felt Clay and Hannah in my bones, and I knew when I read it that I wanted to write a book that made people feel the way I felt when I read it.
When Netflix made a series out of it, there was controversy again. But does talking about suicide in a real and raw way encourage suicide? Does that justify censorship?
I loved this book, despite the fact it basically eviscerated me. I have recommended this to parents and teens. I think this book opens doors for important conversations. It’s also just a really good book.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (2017, 2018)
Reasons: banned and challenged because it was “anti-cop,” and for profanity, drug use, and sexual references
Another one that I cannot believe is challenged. Another one that I cannot recommend enough. Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, this book isn’t just about a shooting. It’s about friendship and family, choices and voices, and about standing up to a world that wants to shut you down.
Rather than banning this book, I think it should be required reading. And that’s all I have to say about that.
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowlan (2019)
Reasons: Banned and forbidden from discussion for referring to magic and witchcraft, for containing actual curses and spells, ad for characters that use “nefarious means” to attain goals.
I remember when these books and movies first came out the ginormous outrage about the “witchcraft” in them. My concerned neighbors warned me not to even have them in the house because they might contaminate my children.
This is another one that makes me shake my head. These books don’t teach curses and spells. They teach about friendship, family, belonging, humility, and courage.
I cried when I finished them the first time because it felt like I was saying good-bye to a good friend. Do I recommend these books? Always.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (2019)
Reasons: Banned and challenged for “vulgarity and sexual overtones.”
This was controversial when I read it back in high school. Now that it’s a television series, the wailing has begun again.
This book upset parents back then, and parents continue to challenge it now. If you missed reading this book in school, this dystopian novel is eerily relevant reading now. Thank goodness it’s still classified as fiction.
What Did You Think of My Favorite Banned Books?
As you can see, being challenged doesn’t mean a book is bad. As a matter of fact, there are many banned books that have gone on to become best sellers. I would be willing to bet that if you looked through your list of favorite books, you would find several banned books there, too. Enjoy Banned Books Week 2020! Check out the ALA’s lists and share your favorites here!!!!!
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Great list. Funny to think kill a mockingbird was banned…