“Banning books gives us silence when we need speech. It closes our ears when we need to listen. It makes us blind when we need sight.” - Stephen Chbosky

My love for reading has developed ever since I was a child, as I would read anything I could get my hands on. I would walk to the public library in town, or find books to read on my kindle. My access to all genres of literature has helped me grow into the person I am today, and I am disappointed that banning books has risen to an all-time high. I am fortunate enough to have a teacher who has introduced me to some of the most banned books in America. It pains me to think that students aren’t able to immerse themselves in these books, which is why I chose this topic. To shed light on an issue that isn’t talked about enough. The United States and its people pride themselves on having the right to freedom of speech and expression, yet we restrict literature that has differing perspectives, experiences, and that deal with controversial topics. I want people to learn that banning books does more harm than good. We silence the voices of the authors who write these books, and the people who they represent and speak to. I want people to reach for the books society has deemed unacceptable, so they can grow as a person. Reading is how we learn, and the world of literature has so much to teach us. That is why I chose the quote from Stephan Chbosky who wrote The Perks of Being a Wallflower, a book that is frequently banned, and one of my favorite books of all time.

American Library Association documented 4,240 unique Book Titles banned in 2023, which is 65% more compared to 2022.

Forbidden Literature

Imagine a world where the boundaries of literature are defined not by imagination, but by censorship. Everyone’s thoughts, ideas, and identities would be indistinguishable. How would society progress? What would even be the meaning of life? Books hold the power to allow individuals to express themselves, or to escape to a fictional world, and today thousands of books are deprived from the hands of our youth. The First Amendment is being attacked as politicians, parents, and organizations challenge literature, and society must consider–is this really the answer to protecting our children? Banning books is not a modern practice as it has been around for centuries, but in recent years, restricting literature has increased, and this is detrimental to society as a whole because having unrestricted access to diverse literature fosters intellectual growth, empathy, and a greater understanding of the world.

A Brief History

Censoring literature has been witnessed throughout history, such as during events like the Holocaust when the Nazis burned millions of books written by Jewish authors or books written about Jewish culture. Similarly, when Mao Zedong came to power in China, he demanded all books that didn’t agree with his Cultural Revolution to be removed and burned (Boissoneult). Book banning in the United States dates back to when the Puritans colonized America. The first book to ever be banned was Thomas Morton's New English Canaan. In this book Morton writes about life in the colonies, the environment, the Native Americans, and goods that could be sold in England. Although a colonist himself, in his book he heavily denounces the strict Puritan society and how they treat the Native Americans. His criticism caused his exile and his book banned. Historians believe that most copies were destroyed, as there are only thirty original printings left today (Klimek). This was just the beginning, as more and more books have been forbidden and reduced to ash, and instead of leaving this immoral practice behind, it has been preserved into modern day.

Future Generations

So what are the consequences for students when books are banned (Gilbard)? According to the American Library Association, “Titles representing the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color) individuals made up 47% of those targeted in censorship attempts.” Books serve as a way for students to see people like them represented. This representation possesses the power to change the way students think about themselves and others, as well as who they will be in the future. Inadequate representation steals people of the potential of who they can become (Gilbard). Books hold stories told by people who view or have experienced the world differently from us, and when access to them is stripped away, it causes individuals to be stifled in their character and opinions. Society won’t be able to progress if everyone thinks the same. Banning books is only moving society backwards (Network). Censorship impairs the quality of education that students receive and undermines intellectual freedom. Furthermore, it suppresses the exchange of ideas essential for a thriving society (Gilbard). It begs the question what kind of society we are trying to create when books are prohibited because they oppose someone's beliefs and opinions? The protection of a controversial book does not mean, as a whole, we accept the words and ideas, but that instead, we are protecting the First Amendment and meaningful literature (Collins).

Find out more on how you can do your part and learn more about Banned Books week by clicking the images above!

Advantages of reading Banned Books

The benefits of reading banned books are powerful and essential for all generations. For instance, critical thinking in children and teens can be enriched by reading banned books. As they read books containing perspectives and ideas that differ from their own, it pushes them to question the world around them. Additionally, encountering censorship and exploring why certain books are restricted can prompt individuals to question authority, seek out information, and engage in deeper reflection, further strengthening their critical thinking abilities. Reading banned literature can captivate young generations with unique perspectives and thought-provoking narratives. “...Readers are encouraged to step into the shoes of others, to see the world through different lenses, and to appreciate the diversity of human experiences,” (Shaji). This can not only increase their passion for reading but also expand their vocabulary, creativity, and ability to grasp new concepts.

A love for literature can transform young individuals as they seek out books that will inspire and challenge them. Most parents believe that protecting their children from the real-world is their duty to do, but that can leave children unprepared for the real world. However, banned books can expose children and teens to difficult topics gradually. Engaging with these topics can build emotional resilience to face adversity. This creates individuals who are confident in themselves and ready to face uncertainties (Shaji).

The numbers

In recent years, there has been a concerning rise in the controversial practice of suppressing books, which directly challenges the First Amendment’s protection of freedom of speech and expression (Yeban). Stated in a latest PEN America report, “The number of public school book bans across the country increased by 33 percent in the 2022-23 school year compared to in 2021-22.” Florida has surpassed all other states in censoring literature, as it restricted 1,406 unique book titles last year (ALA). These trends are expected to continue to rise in 2024 as pressure from state legislatures, individuals, local and national advocacy groups builds. Moms for Liberty is one of these groups who strongly advocates for new library policies to simplify challenging and banning books. Additionally, more legislative bills in education have been created to restrict topics on race, gender, and religion from being taught (Harris, Alter). There's no doubt that there are still cultural struggles in the U.S., and books addressing these issues are stripped from the public, specifically students.

Texas lead with the most book bans in the 2021-2022 school year, but in 2022-2023 Florida took the top spot with 1,406 restricted titles. Texas followed with 625, then Missouri having 333, Utah fourth with 281, and lastly Pennsylvania with 186. These were the top five states with the most book bans in the previous school year (America).

Works Cited

America, Pen. "Book Bans Spike by 33% over Last School Year." Pen America, 21 Sept. 2023, pen.org/press-release/new-report-book-bans-spike-by-33-over-last-school-year/#:~:text=(NEW%20YORK)%20%E2%80%94%20The%20number,a%20new%20PEN%20America%20report. Accessed 25 Mar. 2024.

Boissoneult, Lorraine. "A Brief History of Book Burning, from the Printing Press to Internet Archives." Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Aug. 2017, www.smithsonianmag.com/history/brief-history-book-burning-printing-press-internet-archives-180964697/. Accessed 10 Mar. 2024.

Collins, Jonathan E. "Policy Solutions: What Should We Make of Book Bans?" Phi Delta Kappan, vol. 104, no. 8, May 2023, pp. 58–59. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1177/00317217231174716.

Ford, Nadia. "Book Banning." Unsuitable, Duke Express, 2017, sites.duke.edu/unsuitable/book-banning/#:~:text=A%20book%20can%20be%20banned,political%20bias%2C%20or%20age%20inappropriateness.

Gilbard, Morgan. "What You Need to Know about the Book Bans Sweeping the U.S." Newsroom, Sept. 2023. Teachers College Columbia University, www.tc.columbia.edu/articles/2023/september/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-book-bans-sweeping-the-us/. Accessed 1 Feb. 2024.

Harris, Elizabeth A., and Alexandra Alter. "Book Bans Are Rising Sharply in Public Libraries." NewYork Times, 21 Sept. 2023, www.nytimes.com/2023/09/21/books/book-ban-rise-libraries.html.

Klimek, Chris. "A Brief History of Banned Books in America." Smithsonian, 5 Oct. 2023. Smithsonian Primary Sources in U.S. History, www.smithsonianmag.com/history/a-brief-history-of-banned-books-in-america-180983011/. Accessed 31 Jan. 2024.

Network, The Learning. "What Students Are Saying about Banning Books from School Libraries." The New York Times, 18 Feb. 2022, www.nytimes.com/2022/02/18/learning/students-book-bans.html.

Shaji, Siby. "Unlocking Minds: The Battle over Banned Books and the Power of Free Thought." Information Matters, Information matters, 11 Oct. 2023, informationmatters.org/2023/10/unlocking-minds-the-battle-over-banned-books-and-the-power-of-free-thought/.

"Top 10 Most Challenged Books Lists", American Library Association, March 26, 2013. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10/archive (Accessed February 1, 2024) Document ID: 8417fa9e-ceff-4512-aca9-9fbc81b8bd81

Yeban, Jade. "Banning Books and the Law." FindLaw, edited by Susan Mills Richmond, www.findlaw.com/education/student-rights/banning-books-and-the-law.html. Accessed 17 Jan. 2024.

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