Banned Books Week 2023 - Spokane Public Library (2024)

Banned Books Week 2023

  • September 29, 2023

Public libraries by their very nature present people with a range of differing viewpoints. When you enter a library, there is not one specific book being lauded, or one specific activity, or one specific type of customer. Rather there is a diversity of materials and experiences. When libraries are at their healthiest, they serve one and all.

Last year, an article in the New York Times said that people demanding book bans argue that the censorship is not motivated by racism or bigotry, but librarians across the nation have disproved this by showing that the most challenged books in our country are by or about Black, Brown, and LGBTQ+ people. Recently compiled data shared by the American Library Association reports a 20% increase in book banning this year, “…a 20% increase from the same reporting period in 2022, which saw the highest number of book challenges since ALA began compiling the data more than 20 years ago. The vast majority of challenges were to books written by or about a person of color or a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.” Pen America research shows a leap even higher than ALA’s, with a 33% increase.

These book bans tell writers and readers, including children, that their stories do not matter.

What happens to a person when their stories are discouraged, denied, or erased? The answer: dehumanization. We are our stories. Book bans communicate: Your story is not allowed here, not within the pages of a book, not on the shelves of a library or a bookstore, and not within the confines of our world. You are lesser than; you should not exist.

Toni Morrison, whose novels number among the most frequently banned books in our country, wrote in an anthology she edited, Burn This Book: Notes on Literature and Engagement, “The thought that leads me to contemplate with dread the erasure of other voices, of unwritten novels, poems whispered or swallowed for fear of being overheard by the wrong people, outlawed languages flourishing underground, essayists’ questions challenging authority never being posed, unstaged plays, canceled films—that thought is a nightmare. As though a whole universe is being described in invisible ink.”

Libraries, at their healthiest, ensure a variety of stories are inked and visible. Diversity in literature allows more individuals to recognize themselves and others as embraced and folded into—not kept outside of or erased from—our global community.

Public libraries are about so much more than books, but the evolving human story remains the spinal column of our institution. It’s up to us as citizens to assist them in amplifying stories and not shuttering them. No institution is perfect just as no person is perfect, but we can help public libraries thrive by celebrating their efforts to engage with a diverse public.

The need to read banned books and to fight back against censorship is greater than ever. This is engagement that will save lives. Banned Books Weeks is October 1 through 7. For a list of the most frequently challenged books, please see below.

For more information and action items, please see the ALA website, Banned & Challenged Books | Advocacy, Legislation & Issues (ala.org), We Need Diverse Books, We Need Diverse Books – diversebooks.org, and Pen America, PEN America.

For anyone facing book banning in their community, Seattle Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, LA County Public Library, and Boston Public Library participate in Books Unbanned, an initiative giving teens and young adults around the country access to their eBook collection.

Gender Queer: A Memoirby Maia Kobabe

Check It Out: Book

2. All Boys Aren’t Blueby George M. Johnson

Check it Out: Book

The Bluest Eyeby Toni Morrison

Check It Out: Book

Flamerby Mike Curato

Check It Out: Book

Banned Books Week 2023 - Spokane Public Library (5)

Looking for Alaskaby John Green (tied)

Check It Out: Book

The Perks of Being a Wallflowerby Stephen Chbosky (tied)

Check It Out: Book

Lawn Boyby Jonathan Evison

Check It Out: Book

Out of Darknessby Ashley Hope Perez

Check It Out: Book

A Court of Mist and Furyby Sarah J. Maas (tied)

Check It Out: Book

Crankby Ellen Hopkins (tied)

Check It Out: Book

Me and Earl and the Dying Girlby Jesse Andrews (tied)

Check It Out: Book

This Book Is Gayby Juno Dawson (tied)

Check It Out: Book

  • Written By: Sharma

SHARE THIS STORY

It’s the Lil’ Library Show

Brat Books If You’re So Julia

Tacos y Tequila: The Official Latino Festival of Spokane

Get Ready for Kindergarten!

Categories

Categories

Banned Books Week 2023 - Spokane Public Library (2024)

FAQs

What is the most banned book of 2023? ›

1. Tricks, by Ellen Hopkins, 33 bans.

What is the theme for Banned Books Week 2023? ›

Of the record 2,571 unique titles targeted for censorship, most were by or about LGBTQIA+ persons and Black, Indigenous, and people of color. The theme for Banned Books Week 2023 is "Let Freedom Read." When we ban books, we're closing off readers to people, places, and perspectives.

What is the number one most banned book? ›

This is the list of the most banned books in the first part of the 2022-2023 school year, according to the PEN America Index of School Book Bans. Gender Queer: A Memoir remained at the top of the list, as it was in the 2021-2022 school year, joined this time by Flamer.

Who is the honorary chair of banned books week 2023? ›

LeVar Burton, Honorary Chair

In 2023, Burton premiered his first documentary, The Right to Read, a film that positions the literacy crisis in America as a civil rights issue. The Right to Read was officially selected at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and SXSW Edu.

Why was Charlotte's Web banned? ›

Some school districts aimed to ban the book from schools because they believed the book has unsuitable topics for children to read about. One major complaints was that the story portrayed talking animals that can communicate and act just like humans.

Why is Huckleberry Finn banned? ›

Huckleberry Finn banned immediately after publication

Immediately after publication, the book was banned on the recommendation of public commissioners in Concord, Massachusetts, who described it as racist, coarse, trashy, inelegant, irreligious, obsolete, inaccurate, and mindless.

Why is Captain Underpants banned? ›

He later achieved international recognition with his "Captain Underpants" series, which was adapted as a film. The "Captain Underpants" books are among the American Library Association's list of the top 100 most banned and challenged books from the past decade, due to complaints from parents about violent imagery.

Why was Harry Potter banned? ›

There were concerns over the violence and increasingly dark tone of the later books but most of the censorship attempts were for religious reasons. It was also banned in some Christian schools in the UK.

Why is the giver banned? ›

The main reasons why The Giver was banned or challenged include the violent content related to euthanasia, suicide, and infanticide, and the sexually suggestive content in the novel.

Why is Catcher in the Rye banned? ›

So, why was "The Catcher in the Rye" banned? For plenty of reasons. Critical readers have accused it of being blasphemous, racist, misogynist, and ableist. Many parents have worried that the overwhelmingly negative content of Caulfield's stream of consciousness will be a bad influence on their children.

Why is the color purple banned? ›

What's so explicit about “The Color Purple?” The book touches on religious objections, hom*osexuality, violence, African history, rape, and has explicit language and some sexual scenes.

What state has the most banned books? ›

Texas is the state with the most book bans by far, with 438 in the 2022 fall semester. Here is the master list of book bans by state, according to PEN America: Texas — 438.

Why are books getting banned 2023? ›

Overwhelmingly, book banners continue to target stories by and about people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. In this six-month period, 30% of the unique titles banned are books about race, racism, or feature characters of color.

Why is Fahrenheit 451 banned? ›

This novel is not banned. Sometimes Fahrenheit 451 is challenged and asked to be removed because it contains vulgar language and content. Some people may take offense to the content due to conflicting moral, ethical, or religious beliefs.

Why is the bluest eye banned? ›

Over the years, Morrison's novel has been one of the most banned and challenged books, according to the American Library Association. Individuals challenge The Bluest Eye for its depiction of sexual abuse and because they claim it is sexually explicit.

What is the most sold book 2023? ›

The best-selling print book in the United States in 2023 ranked by unit sales was "It Ends With Us" by Colleen Hoover, with a total of just over 1.29 million sales. Other successful books which sold well that year included two more by Hoover, including "It Starts With Us" and "Verity".

Is the Bible the most banned book in the world? ›

The banning and censoring of the Bible has a long and multifaceted history that continues to this day, and although it is not typically included within popular lists of banned books, it is safe to assert that the Bible is the most banned and censored book in history.

Why is Catch-22 banned? ›

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller for "a handful of racial slurs, the characters speak with typical 'military men' misogyny and racist attitudes of the time. There are scenes of violence both hand to hand and with guns, and violence against women." The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien for "profanity and sexual references".

Is Harry Potter a banned book? ›

The famous Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling was banned on multiple occasions. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was published in 1997. In 2001, the book was banned because of ”satanism and anti-family themes.” In 2002-2004, the book was banned for its focus on wizardry and magic.

References

Top Articles
Miami, FL Real Estate & Homes for Sale | realtor.com®
The UPS Store | Ship & Print Here > 1835 NE Miami Gardens Dr
Bannerlord Campaign Or Sandbox
Https Paperlesspay Talx Com Boydgaming
Osrs Tokkul Calculator
Ncqa Report Cards
Miller Motte College Student Portal
123Movies The Idol
Craigslist Pets Longview Tx
Academic Calendar Biola
Weather Radar For East Coast
Round Yellow Adderall
Nyc Peep Show 2022
Red Dead Redemption 2 Legendary Fish Locations Guide (“A Fisher of Fish”)
Apryl Prose Wiki
Eggy Car Unblocked - Chrome Web Store
Haverhill, MA Obituaries | Driscoll Funeral Home and Cremation Service
Rpa Service Charge Debit
What Times What Equals 82
Th 8 Best Army
Punishment - Chapter 1 - Go_mi - 鬼滅の刃
15:30 Est
Haslam Metrics
Brake Masters 208
Frederik Zuiderveen Borgesius on LinkedIn: Amazingly quick work by Arnoud💻 Engelfriet! Can’t wait to dive in.
Https //Myapps.microsoft.com Portal
Dreamhorse For Sale
Toernooien, drives en clubcompetities
Papa Johns Mear Me
Gunsmoke Tv Series Wiki
Shannon Sharpe Pointing Gif
Manchester City Totalsportek
8.7 Increase Of 841
Air Quality Index Endicott Ny
Kirby D. Anthoney Now
Withers Not In Sarcophagus
Fade En V Pelo Corto
Aeorian Security Cannon
North Bay Craigslist Jobs
Huskersillustrated Husker Board
Heffalumps And Woozles Racist
Son Blackmailing Mother
Oreillys Brownwood
Infinity Pool Showtimes Near Maya Cinemas Bakersfield
Smithfield Okta Login
Metroplus Rewards Sign In
Mystery Mini Icon Box
Buhsd Studentvue
Autozone On 7 Mile And Hubbell
I Only Have Eyes for You by The Flamingos Lyrics Meaning - A Gaze Into Love's Timeless Power - Song Meanings and Facts
Cardaras Logan Ohio
Lizzyboat African Market
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Moshe Kshlerin

Last Updated:

Views: 6179

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Moshe Kshlerin

Birthday: 1994-01-25

Address: Suite 609 315 Lupita Unions, Ronnieburgh, MI 62697

Phone: +2424755286529

Job: District Education Designer

Hobby: Yoga, Gunsmithing, Singing, 3D printing, Nordic skating, Soapmaking, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Moshe Kshlerin, I am a gleaming, attractive, outstanding, pleasant, delightful, outstanding, famous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
https://alingsasjazzsallskap.org/article/banned-books-week-2023-spokane-public-library/5516
alingsasjazzsallskap.org
CC-MAIN-2024-38
125891
application/http; msgtype=response
sha1:GHV66DMNUMRBYJRG74W7OY4YAHKWLANR
<urn:uuid:4e0caa7d-51ca-450a-a9a3-29e526debfd4>
2024-09-17T09:20:28Z
172.67.220.35
text/html
sha1:6NY4OE2N3DQTDG7FNKUP73CMKT23SS2H
<urn:uuid:db177020-b963-4640-84cd-f4435b4a85e9>
https://alingsasjazzsallskap.org/article/banned-books-week-2023-spokane-public-library/5516
response
<urn:uuid:bee505aa-79f1-471d-8fb6-16c22be2dbe2>
isPartOf: CC-MAIN-2024-38
publisher: Common Crawl
description: Wide crawl of the web for September 2024
operator: Common Crawl Admin (info@commoncrawl.org)
hostname: ip-10-67-67-248
software: Apache Nutch 1.20 (modified, https://github.com/commoncrawl/nutch/)
robots: checked via crawler-commons 1.5-SNAPSHOT (https://github.com/crawler-commons/crawler-commons)
format: WARC File Format 1.1
conformsTo: https://iipc.github.io/warc-specifications/specifications/warc-format/warc-1.1/