It's Banned Book week here at the library and do you know what that means?! We want you to read! Freedom to read is important and vital to your right to information. Here is why you should care about book censorship:
Access to information – we all need information. Our lives depend on it. Even fiction can grant a person access to information they may have never come across if they didn’t have access. Access to information closes gaps, helps people stay informed and make decisions on what is best for themselves.
Representation – representation is vastly important in creating a sense of belonging and community. We thrive when we see ourselves reflected in media (books, movies, TV, music, and more). It acts as a mirror to help us see, define, and grow into our true selves.
Empowerment – Knowledge, as the saying goes, is power. Banning books and access to information creates a more vulnerable population. We want to empower people to thrive in their lives.
Freedom of expression – Book bans target identities that are deemed “undesirable”, "different", or "abnormal" when there really is no such thing. People come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, personalities, and that includes their self expression. Do you want someone to tell you not to be yourself? Heck no! What you read is a way to express yourself, your values, and your joy.
Community History - sadly, a lot of book bans often target historical stories that shed light on the painful and shameful parts of the past. Without these stories real history gets lost, distorted, and weaponized against others.
In 1982, book bans across the country had become a common practice and a campaign was started to talk to folks about why having access to books and information was critical for their freedom, even if they themselves didn't agree with the material. Banned Book week is now more relevant than ever, with bans targeting titles that skew heavily against minority groups, history, health, and science. Don’t let anyone tell you what you can or can’t read! Reading opens doors, minds, and opportunities.
To end this post, here are the top ten most challenged books of 2024:
All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
Gender Queer: a memoir by Maia Kobabe
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
Looking for Alaska by John Green
Me & Earl & the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
Crank by Ellen Hopkins
Sold by Patricia McCormick
Flamer by Mike Curato
Now go read!!
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