Oregon considers a ban on book bans

(MARCH 7, 2024) Parents take care of their children. They want their children to read. But some parents want to control their children's books. They don't want them to read some kinds of books. They want a "book ban" in their schools.

To "ban" something is like an official rule. It says you can't do something or you can't have something. Some parents want to make a list of books. They don't want those books in school libraries. They don't want children to read them. 

Other people do not agree with book bans. They don't think a few parents should decide books for the whole community. They think the school library can choose its books. They think children should have many different books. They say a parent can still choose for their own kids. They shouldn't choose for the whole school.

Oregon senators are state leaders. Some senators want to make a new law. They want to stop book bans in schools. They want to stop discrimination. They want to help children learn about all kinds of people. This includes people of color, different religions, and gay and lesbian people.

Now the idea moves to Oregon's House of Representatives. That is another part of the state government. It must say yes. The governor must also agree. Then the idea can become a law in Oregon.