Literature can be transformative in helping us learn about the world and see ourselves as part of the shared human experience.
The intensification of book bans and challenges – both in schools and public libraries – threatens our democracy by limiting learning about diverse experiences. Being able to read stories where we see ourselves reflected, come to understand experiences and identities beyond our own, and value our humanity is crucial to being able to dialogue and work together.
According to the American Library Association (ALA), in 2023, more than 4,000 unique titles were targeted with demands for censorship, the highest number in more than 20 years of tracking this data. Among troubling trends in 2023, ALA identified that public libraries were targeted in addition to school libraries and accounted for 46% of book challenges. During the 2022-23 school year, PEN America, which tracks book bans, found “3,362 instances of individual books banned, affecting 1,557 unique titles.” Many of these books center the experiences and perspectives of LGBTQ+ people and Black, Indigenous and other people of color.
To build bridges of understanding and celebrate our diversity and shared humanity, let’s read together. The Southern Poverty Law Center’s Learning for Justice program offers the following book reviews and stories to encourage reading as we recognize the challenges being highlighted during Banned Books Week from Sept. 22-28.
Liberation Lit
These book reviews for adults encourage us to keep reading and learning together for liberation, as books can help us to resist hate and bias and counter dominant narratives that have traditionally excluded diverse perspectives.
Reading for Justice: Books for Teens and Young Adults
We offer some of our favorite book reviews for teens and young adults.
Reading Together: Books for Children
We offer some of our favorite book recommendations for children (elementary to middle grades) that affirm identities, celebrate diversity and highlight justice.
Story Corner
These short stories are intended for growing readers and for reading aloud to young children to foster values of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.
Image at top: Recommendations from the SPLC’s Learning for Justice program highlight the challenges that educators and librarians face amid the intensification of book bans and challenges across the country.
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