Happy Banned Books Week – Read Banned Books!
September 26-October 2, 2021 is Banned Books Week. Every April, the American Library Association releases a list of the top ten banned books from the previous year and why they were banned. Here’s the 2020 list:
Reasons: Challenged, banned, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content, conflicting with a religious viewpoint, and not reflecting “the values of our community”
I gave George five stars! I think it’s a great middle-grade book that parents can read with their children to jump-start a conversation with them about what it means to be transgender. You can read my review here.
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds
Reasons: Banned and challenged because of the author’s public statements, and because of claims that the book contains “selective storytelling incidents” and does not encompass racism against all people
All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, drug use, and alcoholism, and because it was thought to promote anti-police views, contain divisive topics, and be “too much of a sensitive matter right now”
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Reasons: Banned, challenged, and restricted because it was thought to contain a political viewpoint and it was claimed to be biased against male students, and for the novel’s inclusion of rape and profanity
Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and allegations of sexual misconduct by the author
This one got five stars from me also. You can read my review here. I read it a long time ago before the allegations against Alexie came out and it brings up an issue that I’ve struggled with. Can one separate the artist from the art? And is it a good idea to try?
Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story About Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard, illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin
Reasons: Challenged for “divisive language” and because it was thought to promote anti-police views
Reasons: Banned and challenged for racial slurs and their negative effect on students, featuring a “white savior” character, and its perception of the Black experience
Yet another five-star rating from me! You can read my review here. Funny how all of these banned books are actually really good. I highly recommend the audiobook. Sissy Spacek does a wonderful job narrating.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Reasons: Banned and challenged for racial slurs and racist stereotypes, and their negative effect on students
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Reasons: Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and depicts child sexual abuse
Reasons: Challenged for profanity, and it was thought to promote an anti-police message
Whadda ya know – five stars from me! You can read my review here. I just read this a few months ago so it will count as my banned book for 2021. I try to read at least one from the most recent list in anticipation of banned books week.
What’s your favorite banned book? You can find lists for previous years on the ALA’s website.
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