As the 2022 Book Ban list from states like Texas and Tennessee are made apparent to the public this month, controversy has sparked all across the country. Texas alone has requested that about 850 books be reviewed, to see if they are allowed to stay in a school setting. Opinions from parents, students, teachers, adults, and librarians are being voiced across all platforms in the hope that someone might listen. 

Book banning has been increasing rapidly in the most recent years. Authors like anyone in a demanding occupation learn to adapt to the new societal norms and trends to make an impact on the readers they are trying to reach. In doing so, books with complex themes are becoming more and more popular and are being spread. 

Many modern books portray the reality of the world we live in. Issues range from themes on racism to sexual and gender orientation, which can be a sensitive topic in a school environment which is why the most common books banned are those with the noted themes present. 

“If the content is something that’s religious matters or racist matters,” said Norwood High School librarian Ms. Mannering, explaining the reasons why books could be banned. 

“Like something that’s historically untrue,” added fellow librarian, Ms. Bradley. 

Unlike school systems in the south, Norwood has not banned any books in its library. 

Ms. Bradley, and Ms. Mannering both run the book club that covers a wide range of genres and books that have been and that are currently on the banned list. 

When asked how the books are picked, even if they have mature content, Ms. Bradley said, “We feel that if the book has, you know, intellectual significance, and it's showing both sides it's, you know, reasonable, and it’s something that’s either a part of the curriculum, or it’s something that our audience, our community needs, then that’s what we would continue to use.” 

The curriculum at Norwood High School includes some of the books on the book ban list. A book ban list would be a monumental change for teachers and students alike. 

“I think it would change a lot.” Said Ms. Connolly is an English teacher who works with a lot of the books found on the banned books list. “Two of the three core 9th-grade texts tend to come up on banned book lists. One in particular, “To Kill A Mockingbird,” which has been taught here forever, and I believe “Raisin in the Sun” also tends to come up as well, so I think that we would find a huge change in the curriculum.” 

Books are used to educate and develop. Reading is a key part of growing up and being able to explore interests. “Yeah, absolutely.” Ms. Connolly emphasized when asked about how banning books could contribute to students not being able to be fully educated or developed. 

She continued saying, “Luckily, there are still libraries and the internet where these books could still be accessed but, I think that there's a lot gained reading them with your peers and engaging in dialogues with them and I think a lot would be lost if we eliminated a huge selection of books based on the thought that, that conversation might get difficult at times.”