It’s Banned Books Week, an annual effort by the American Library Association to raise awareness about censorship — an issue brought to the forefront last year when California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill banning book bans across the state.
Banned Books Week highlights the ongoing saga of literary censorship in America and allows lovers of the written word to sit back, pick up a book or eBook, and read a story that someone, somewhere, deemed too controversial to put on the shelf.
Founded in 1982 by the American Library Association (ALA), this year’s theme is “Freed Between the Lines.” During the week, the association holds several online events and offers free downloads to learn more about banned books.
When is Banned Books Week?
Banned Books Week this year is from Sept. 22-28. It’s usually held during the last week of September. The theme of this year’s event, according to the ALA, is “Freed Between the Lines.”
What is Banned Books Week?
Each year, the ALA draws national attention to censorship during Banned Books Week by compiling a list of banned or challenged books. The annual event is meant to bring the book community together — librarians, authors, educators, booksellers and readers — in support of literature, free expression, and the need for having free and open access to information.
California passes ban on book bans
In 2023, Governor Newsom signed AB 1078, which bans book bans and textbook censorship in the California’s 10,000+ schools.
Among what AB 1078 states are that schools cannot ban textbooks or instructional materials in school libraries just because it explores the contributions of an individual or group that is:
- Latino American
- LGBTQ+
- Other ethnic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic status groups
It also states that schools can’t ban the continued use of an already adopted textbook, instructional material or curriculum because it “contains inclusive and diverse perspectives.”
Related:Education legislation: Parents, catch up on 11 changes in California schools
This comes as book bans have swept across the country. In Iowa, 3,400 books, including books considered literary classics and works written by LGBTQ+ authors, have been removed from schools in a sweeping education bill, the Des Moines Register reported.
Axios San Diego reported that 98 titles were challenged in California last year, up from the previous year.
Book bans in schools in other states
In their report, Banned in the USA: The Mounting Pressure to Censor, PEN America states that in the 2022–23 school year, they recorded 3,362 instances of books banned, an increase of 33% from the previous school year. More than 40% of all book bans occurred in school districts in Florida.
Since the fall of 2021, PEN America has counted over 10,000 book bans in schools across the country.
According to PEN America, many banned books during the last school year include titles that are a common target of censorship, including:
- “The Color Purple,” Alice Walker
- “Nineteen Minutes,” Jodi Picoult
- “The Bluest Eye,” Toni Morrison
- “Beloved,” Toni Morrison
Book challenges at public libraries
The ALA tracked 4,240 unique book titles targeted for censorship in 2023, a 65% increase over 2022 and 1,247 demands to censor library books, materials, and resources. Pressure groups focused on public libraries in addition to targeting school libraries.
The number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92% over the previous year, accounting for about 46% of all book challenges in 2023, according to the ALA.
According to the ALA, 54% of censorship attempts take place at public libraries, followed by 39% at school libraries.
The Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023
According to the ALA, the top 10 most challenged books of last year are:
- “Gender Queer,” by Maia Kobabe (Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit)
- “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” by George M. Johnson (Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit)
- “This Book is Gay,” by Juno Dawson (Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, sex education, claimed to be sexually explicit)
- “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky (Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content, rape, drugs, profanity)
- “Flamer,” by Mike Curato (Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit)
- “The Bluest Eye,” by Toni Morrison (Reasons: Rape, incest, claimed to be sexually explicit, EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion) content)
- (TIE) “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” by Jesse Andrews (Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, profanity)
- (TIE) “Tricks,” by Ellen Hopkins (Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, drugs, rape, LGBTQIA+ content)
- “Let’s Talk About It,” by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan (Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, sex education, LGBTQIA+ content)
- “Sold,” by Patricia McCormick (Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, rape)
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