As early as the 17th century, people in positions of power began to censor what content could be held in public libraries, especially in schools. Some books that have made the list since then include: The Great Gatsby, Of Mice and Men, The Harry Potter Series, Captain Underpants, and even Where’s Waldo?.
In the 1980s, the American Library Association launched Banned Books Week, which celebrates the freedom to read. The movement has allowed people nationwide to maintain lifelong literacy through a variety of resources and initiatives supporting family literacy, adult literacy, English language learners, and more. One’s freedom to read is something that should be celebrated and protected. In 2023, Banned Books Week is October 1-7. Celebrating could consist of reading passages of children’s books that have been challenged, acknowledging why books are challenged and who challenges them, or simply prompting your learning community to discuss censorship and its impact on readers of all ages.
As an American Literature teacher last year, I was shocked by how few students knew what Banned Books Week was; out of my over eighty students, only about ten admitted they previously knew what the week celebrated and its significance. This indicates that my students had been unaware of how lucky they were that we were able to access texts like those written by John Steinbeck and Langston Hughes in our classroom, as well as being able to acknowledge the reasons that parents, teachers, and other community members have thought to challenge them.
Banned books are an issue of censorship, expression, and accessibility. Even in 2023, books are still challenged every day, including The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas and Dear Martin by Nic Stone. Whether you are a student, teacher, or just a literary advocate, staying informed and advocating for texts are simple, quick, and free ways to fight censorship—celebrate your fREADom!
Resources
? Banned Books Week’s Official Website
? A Look Back at the History of Banned Books Week—NCTE
? BE HEARD! Protecting Your Protest Rights—National Coalition Against Censorship
? NCAC’s Book Censorship Action Kit
Zoe Talbot
Student Representative, Eastern Region, 2023-2024
Alpha Epsilon Alpha Chapter, Public Relation
The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ
2023 Banned Books Week Social Media Contest
In celebration of Banned Books Week Sigma Tau Delta and National English Honor Society are teaming up to host the eighth annual Banned Books Week social media contest. For the first year ever, our brand new middle school program, English Language Arts Honor Society, will also be participating. To contribute you must tag us in a post on any of the following social media accounts:
- NEHS Facebook
- NEHS Twitter (@NEHSXpress)
- Sigma Tau Delta Facebook
- Sigma Tau Delta Twitter (@EnglishCon)
- Sigma Tau Delta/NEHS Instagram (@EnglishMatters)
- ELA Honor Society Facebook
- ELA Honor Society Instagram (@elahonorsociety)
- or snap us at englishmatters on Snapchat
What to do in your post:
Books are banned for a variety of reasons. Take your own original photo of your favorite banned book and share with us (on one social media platform) one of the reasons it has been contested. If you wish to post on a second platform, please choose a second banned book to post about.
The contest will run from Sunday, October 1-Saturday, October 7. Everyone who participates during this time frame will be entered in a drawing to win one of three $25 Better World Books gift cards. A $50 Better World Books gift card also will be awarded for the best overall post. Select submissions will be shared across our social media platforms.
Resources
Troubling Trends in Book Censorship
Milton and Paradise Reimagined: Book Censorship Today
George Orwell and Recent Censorship
Don’t Burn the Books
How Old is Holden Caulfield?: Censoring a Teenage Narrator in an Adult Book from Teenage Eyes
Why Books Depicting Violence are Important
Banned Books: Stand Up for What Moves You
Banned Books: Symbols of Positive Ideological Shifts
What Intellectual Freedom Is—And Why and How We Ought to Preserve It
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