In September we are celebrating Banned Books Week. Across the country hundreds of books go challenged, restricted, or banned. These actions impact our ability to access these materials. Many of these books contain diverse content, including those about people of color, LGBTQIA+ people, and people with disabilities. The reasons for this are many, but all impact our ability to freely access information, also known as our intellectual freedom. It is important to protect this right so that creators can express themselves and readers can find stories that reflect themselves, or open new worlds.
Here at Thomas Library, we have gathered together many of the books that have faced these disputes. Take a moment and see if you can recognize any of the books on the shelf. They are all available for checkout.
Here are a few titles that are featured on the display:
Beyond magenta: Transgender teens speak out by Susan Kuklin
Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, and considered sexually explicit
Susan Kuklin documents the experiences of six transgender teens through stories and photographs. Beyond Magenta gives voice to the young adults she interviews, while making their experiences accessible to those new to the gender continuum through appended materials, including a discussion of her interview process, a glossary, a Q&A with the director of a clinic for transgender teens, a resource list geared toward transgender youth.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Reasons: Profanity, violence, and considered to promote an anti-police message and indoctrination of a social agenda
Angie Thomas narrates the story of Starr Carter, a young teen caught between two worlds and living in the aftermath of the death of her friend Khalil who was shot by a police officer. Determined to advocate for Khalil, Starr struggles with the different worlds she exists in. Raw and centered on the teen’s experience, Angie Thomas provides a complex, authentic narrative for a real ongoing issue.
Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
Reason: LGBTQIA+ content, and considered to have sexually explicit images
Gender Queer details Maia Kobabe exploration of eir identity, all in a colorful, straightforward graphic novel with an introduction of She-Ra creator NT Stevenson. Maia Kobabe details the challenges of a nonbinary identity and asexuality. This memoir can serve as guide to mature teens and adults.
Additional Resources
American Library Association (2022). Banned books week (September 18-24, 2022). https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/banned
American Library Association (2008). First Amendment and censorship. https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/censorship
Dawkins, A. (2022). Censorship and silence: How book bans and removals threaten diverse stories and voices. Literacy Today, 39(4), 30-34.
Mizikar, A. (2012, October 1). I read banned books. https://www.wittprojects.net/library_blog/?p=735#comment-7949