A Ballad to Banned Books

A Ballad to Banned Books

Across the nation there are groups of people targeting and banning books from libraries, primarily libraries in schools. Many of the books targeted are being challenged simply because they feature a minority. Thankfully, the librarians at our school work hard to defend books that should not be banned for such minor reasons. Below is a list of the nations top banned and challenged books, why they are being banned or challenged, and whether or not the EHS library has them.

1. Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison is banned and challenged because it features LGBTQ+ content. It is a semi-autobiographical novel about a Mexican American boy named Mike Muñoz who, after getting fired from his last job, earns a job as a lawn boy on a landscaping crew. He knows he has to make a big change if he wants to have a successful life. This book is in the EHS library and, at the time of me writing this, is available to be checked out.

2. All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto by George M. Johnson is again banned and challenged for LGBTQ+ content and profanity. It is a series of essays by activist George M. Johnson about his childhood, growing up, and the challenges and triumphs that black queer boys face. This book is also in the EHS library and can be checked out!

3. Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez, being banned and challenged for depictions of abuse, is loosely based on the explosion of a school that took place in New London, Texas in 1937. It follows Naomi, who is Mexican, and Wash, who is black as they learn about race, segregation, love, and forces that destroy people. This book is yet again in the EHS library and available for check out.

4. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is banned and challenged for profanity, violence, and because it was thought to promote an anti-police message. It follows the life of Starr Carter after witnessing the death of her friend by a police officer and the challenges that she faces because of it. There are currently three copies of this book belonging to the EHS library, and one of them is available to be checked out!

5. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is a book that I read not too long ago, and it is banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and the use of a derogatory term. It follows the life of Junior, a Native American who left the school on his reservation for an all-white school in a neighboring town in hopes of a brighter future. Except now he’s facing hatred from both the Native Americans who live on the reservation that see him as a traitor, and the white students and teachers at his new school who see him as an outsider. While the EHS library owns a copy of this book, it is currently checked out at the time I am writing this. I hope that whoever has it is enjoying how good of a read it is!

6. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews is banned and challenged for being considered sexually explicit and degrading to women. It follows Greg, a seventeen year old in every social group but still with no friends. His mom forces him to befriend a girl with leukemia named Rachel, who he once knew from Hebrew school. Again, the EHS library owns this book, but it is currently checked out. To whoever has it, please enjoy!

7. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison is banned and challenged because it depicts child sexual abuse. The description on the EHS library website reads, “An eleven-year-old African-American girl in Ohio, in the early 1940s, prays for her eyes to turn blue so that she will be beautiful.” There is currently one copy at the school library, I encourage anyone else intrigued by that vague, yet thrilling, blurb to take a look!

8. Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teen Speaks Out by Susan Kuklin is banned and challenged because it features LGBTQ+ content. Susan Kulin interviewed six transgender and nonbinary young adults in hopes of highlighting their experiences before, during, and after their journeys with gender identity with immaculate care and respect. This book is yet again available in the EHS library and can currently be checked out!

Looking at all the books that have been challenged and even banned in both school and public libraries across the country, it is amazing to see how many of those books are featured in our very own library. I’d like to take a moment to thank the wonderful librarians who work to keep these books on the shelves. I cannot stress enough how grateful I am for how hard they work. Thank you to the amazing EHS librarians!