Taylor Smith
From October 5th to the 11th, we celebrated Banned Books Week. While it has come to a close, it is still important to remember the reason that we celebrate this event every year. Banned Books Week is a celebration in which readers are highly encouraged to seek out these books and see what they can learn from them, as well as think about why these people may attempt to censor these books.
Some of the most common targets for censorship are books that showcase minorities in major roles, as well as books that showcase stories that focus on members of the LGBTQIA. There are currently hundreds of books that are on the list of banned books, which you can find on the official American Library Association website.
Of course, there are going to be some who say things such as “If they’re banned how come I can still read them?”. Of course, there are those who ask that question as a way to showcase a distaste for this celebration, as well as to dismiss the concerns of censorship. However, there are also those who ask this question because they are genuinely curious and have fallen prey to a very common misconception.
For a book to be considered to be banned or challenged, it does not have to be inaccessible to everyone. Instead, these books have to have been targeted by groups as well as individuals for removal, restricted access, as well as other forms of censorship. With all this information, one might ask “where should I start?” Here are just a few of the banned books that everyone should read at least once.
Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
This compelling graphic novel is a memoir by non-binary author Maia Kobabe. In it, they use both text and comic-strip style imagery to explore their experiences with gender dysphoria, coming out, and some of the internal struggles they had as a youth and adolescent coming to terms with who they are.
This book is frequently challenged for its LGBTQIA+ content, and the frank way that it approaches intimacy and sexuality. Some of the imagery in the book does contain sexual content and nudity. However, defenders of the book point out that it is not exploitative or appealing to prurient interests.
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Late author Toni Morrison was a celebrated author, educator, and speaker. She was also the first African American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Morrison wrote several novels that appear on banned and challenged lists, but The Bluest Eye is one that readers frequently miss. This book is written about a young Black girl, Pecola. She is frequently referred to as ugly because of her dark skin and mannerisms. Pecola believes that if she had blue eyes, she would be beautiful.
The Bluest Eye explores themes of racism, childhood trauma, internalized racism, and white supremacy through the lens of beauty standards. This book also addresses incest, child molestation, and other controversial topics. All of these things have led to Toni Morrison’s first novel being banned or challenged since it was published in 1970.
Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Pérez
This is a YA historical novel that was published in 2015. It’s set in segregated New London, TX in 1937, and opens with the tragic New London School explosion that happened that same year. The rest of the novel is a flashback of events leading to that. It explores a romantic relationship between an African American boy and Mexican American girl, Wash and Naomi.
As one might imagine, this book explores racism, injustice, and the influence of family dynamics. Those who have challenged Out of Darkness do so because of the sexual themes, blunt depiction of racism, and its brutally honest portrayal of historical events and attitudes.
A Map for Falasteen by Maysa Odeh
This is a children’s book by Palestinian author Maysa Odeh. The main character is a little girl named Falasteen who is confused and upset by the maps she sees at school. These maps don’t match her understanding of her country and family history. This includes stories her grandmother has shared with her about being displaced.
A Map for Falasteen has been targeted because of its pro-Palestinian narrative. It has been labeled as anti-Semitic. Some have claimed it offers an unbalanced portrayal of Israel.
This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson
This non-fiction book was written as a guide for young people who identify as queer, are exploring their gender identity/sexuality, or simply want to learn more about queerness. It’s divided into several chapters that address subjects such as coming out, intimacy, stereotypes, homophobia, fear, biology, intersectionality, building community, honoring queer heroes, and more.
This Book is Gay has been targeted for censorship and removal across the country. Notably, these censorship efforts led to the Brooklyn and Seattle Public libraries making their digital collections available to anyone across the country.
The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson
This is a climate fiction novel by science fiction writer Kim Stanley Robinson. It is set in the not-so-distance future where the UN has formed a subsidiary body as part of the Paris Climate Agreement. This organization is intended to advocate for citizens of the future as if their needs and rights are as important as those living in current times. The ministry determines that climate change is the most pressing issue impacting people of the future. The key characters in the book are Mary Murphy the head of the “Ministry For The Future”, and Frank May who is an American Aid worker deeply traumatized by his experiences working with victims of a drought in India.
While this book has not been as widely disputed as others on this list, it has been challenged for bias against corporations and political extremism.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
This is Angie Thomas’ debut novel. It is a YA book about a 16-year-old black girl, Starr Carter, who witnesses the murder of her friend by a police officer. Starr attends an elite private school in a wealthy white neighborhood, although she lives in a poor, majority Black neighborhood herself. These things add complexity to her experiences as she navigates being thrust into the public eye as the murder of her friend Khalil becomes a national story.
As the novel unfolds, Starr becomes something of the “face” of the story, speaking publicly about the event she witnessed. When the grand jury refuses to indict the officer, tensions come to a head and a riot breaks out. The themes in the book mirror several real-life events that have happened in recent times.
The Hate U Give was one of the most challenged books the year it was released (2017) and continues to be a favorite target of censors everywhere. Those who have tried to have it removed from shelves or limit access to it have stated the book is harmful because of its anti-police themes, profanity, drug use, and sexuality.
Even though Banned Books Week has come to an end, that doesn’t mean that you still can’t take the time to enjoy any of the books that are on the banned books list. Take the time to share these books with others, learn about why they are constantly challenged. As well as support the authors and those who fit within the demographics of what is frequently targeted.
