Banned Books Week
By Hannah Herrlich, Emerging Technologies Librarian
Banned Books Week 2024: A Reflection on Censorship and Freedom of Expression
Banned Books Week, observed annually each fall, is a celebration of the freedom to read and a powerful reminder of the ongoing challenges to literary freedom in schools, libraries, and throughout society. This event, spearheaded by the American Library Association (ALA), highlights books that have been challenged frequently or banned due to their content, encouraging readers to explore the themes and ideas in these contested works, and supporting the freedom to seek and express ideas.
Why Are Books Banned or Challenged?
Books are often challenged for their depictions of sensitive topics like race, gender, sexuality, and violence. In many cases, the reasoning behind challenges centers on concerns about protecting children from perceived inappropriate content. However, the effects of banning books can be far-reaching, limiting access to diverse voices, cultures, and ideas.
Why Banning Books is Harmful
Censorship of books can stifle dialogue and limit diverse perspectives, depriving readers (especially young people) of the opportunity to explore complex issues, empathize with different viewpoints, and develop critical thinking skills. When books are banned, access to knowledge is restricted and voices that need to be heard are silenced.
Book banning and censorship not only limit access to knowledge but also stifle diversity of thought and hamper the ability of readers to empathize with different experiences. During Banned Books Week, readers are encouraged to engage with these contested works and reflect on the broader implications of silencing marginalized voices.
Most Challenged Books of 2023
According to the ALA’s 2023 report, there has been a significant increase in book challenges, with a 65% jump in reported cases compared to previous years. Approximately 4,240 titles were targeted for removal from public libraries and schools, marking the highest level of documented book censorship in the U.S. since the ALA began tracking these incidents in 2001.
Among the top targeted titles were:
- Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
- This memoir about the author’s journey of coming out as nonbinary has faced ongoing opposition due to its LGBTQIA+ themes and explicit content.
- All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
- Another memoir exploring the experiences of a queer Black boy, this book was challenged for its frank discussions of sexual identity.
- This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson
- A humorous and honest exploration of sexuality and gender, this nonfiction guide for teens has been contested for its LGBTQIA+ content.
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
- This coming-of-age novel deals with mental health, sexual abuse, and identity.
- Flamer by Mike Curato
- Set during the summer between middle school and high school, this graphic novel about a boy grappling with his sexual identity was labeled inappropriate due to its LGBTQIA+ content.
- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
- A literary classic, Morrison’s debut novel has been challenged for its unflinching portrayal of racism, incest, and sexual abuse.
- Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews*
- This novel, which follows the story of a high school senior navigating friendship with a terminally ill classmate, often faces criticism for the way it handles sensitive topics.
- Tricks by Ellen Hopkins*
- This novel follows five teens involved in sex work, and its graphic depictions of these issues have led to frequent challenges.
- Let’s Talk About It by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan
- The graphic novel discusses sex, relationships, consent, and sexual health.
- Sold by Patricia McCormick
- This novel, which portrays a young girl sold into sexual slavery, has been challenged for its depiction of sexual exploitation.
*The 7th and 8th titles are tied*
Most Commonly Banned Books
Some books have been banned or challenged repeatedly throughout history. This is a list of books that appear the most often on banned books lists and are available through the Fordham University Libraries.
1984 by George Orwell. It’s both ironic and fitting that 1984 is a commonly challenged book, given its bleak warning of totalitarian censorship. The book chronicles the grim future of a society robbed of free will, privacy, and truth.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. Huckleberry Finn remains one of the most challenged books in the U.S. Twain once reportedly said, “Censorship is telling a man he can’t have a steak just because a baby can’t chew it.”
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. This book has been banned multiple times, across many countries for being “obscene.” Today, the term Lolita has come to imply an oversexualized teenager, although Vladimir Nabokov never intended to create the association. In fact, he nearly burned the manuscript in disgust, and fought with his publishers over whether an image of a girl should be included on the book’s cover.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Holden Caulfield, the novel’s protagonist, has become a symbol of adolescent angst. In 1980, 25-year-old Mark David Chapman shot Beatles legend John Lennon in front of his Manhattan home and later gave the book to police as an explanation for why he did it.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. Angelou’s autobiography explores identity, rape, racism, and literacy; it also inspects the state of women’s lives in a male-dominated society. In 2009, Angelou responded to the frequent banning of her work, “I’m always sorry that people ban my books… Many times my books are banned by people who never read two sentences.”
The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie. This book sparked riots around the world for what some called a blasphemous treatment of the Islamic faith. In 1989, 12 people died in riots in Bombay, and many more were injured.
Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. When Harry Potter first debuted, it received challenges from conservatives due to its promotion of witchcraft. More recently, the series has received criticism from liberals for the author’s commentary on the transgender community. Too bad there’s no spell for putting an end to censorship, at large.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker. Despite Walker winning the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for fiction for this novel, it has faced backlash (mostly from parents), for its intricately detailed violent and sexual content. Despite the pushback, it has since been adapted into an Academy Award-winning film directed by Steven Spielberg and a Tony Award-winning musical.
Candide by Volaire. The book’s phrase, “Let us eat the Jesuit. Let us eat him up!” became an instant catchphrase. The Grand Council of Geneva banned it shortly after its release, although 30,000 copies sold within a year, making it a bestseller.
One Flew Over a Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey. Kesey’s 1962 classic piece of literature portrays life in a hospital for the mentally ill, including profanity and sexual remarks.
Celebrating the Freedom to Read
Banned Books Week is a celebration of the stories that challenge, inspire, and push us toward a more open and inclusive society. While the fight against censorship is ongoing, every book read, discussed, or shared during this week helps to protect our right to explore diverse ideas and viewpoints.
As we celebrate Banned Books Week this year, it’s vital to recognize that these attempts to censor books are an attack on intellectual freedom. By defending access to all kinds of literature, we preserve the rich diversity of human experience and protect our right to read without restriction. Additionally, following Banned Books Week, is Freedom to Read Day on October 19th- so, La Résistance continues throughout the fall.
Ray Bradbury, author of the frequently banned novel (and ironically so) Fahrenheit 451, once said, “You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.”
Let’s make sure that never happens. This Banned Books Week, celebrate the freedom to read, and defend it.
