Banned Books Week is October 5-11
By: Johanna Elattar, pictured are the David A. Howe Library collection of “banned books”
Banned Books Week, held annually in late September, is a celebration of the freedom to read and an opportunity to reflect on the complex relationship between literature, culture, and censorship. Since its inception in 1982, the event has brought attention to the ongoing challenges against books in schools, libraries, and communities, encouraging conversations about the power of words and the dangers of restricting access to information. What began as a response to a surge in book challenges across the United States has now grown into an enduring movement that rallies readers, writers, librarians, and educators to defend intellectual freedom.
In the early 1980s, censorship battles were heating up. Challenges to books such as The Catcher in the Rye and Slaughterhouse-Five were making national headlines. In response, the American Library Association (ALA), along with booksellers and publishers, launched Banned Books Week. Their goal was not only to raise awareness of the books that were being challenged and banned but also to promote the importance of protecting access to all literature, regardless of how controversial or provocative some might find it.
Since then, Banned Books Week has evolved into a week-long celebration of free expression, where libraries and bookstores highlight banned or challenged books and invite readers to explore the reasons behind their censorship. Each year, the ALA releases a list of the most challenged books, providing insight into the societal issues and debates that fuel these challenges.
Many of the books that appear on these lists are ones you might expect to find in any high school or public library—classic novels, young adult fiction, and even children’s books. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is a frequent target due to its use of racial slurs and its candid exploration of racism in the American South. George Orwell’s 1984—which explores the terrifying consequences of totalitarianism and government surveillance—has been banned in various places for its political implications and themes of rebellion.
Another book that consistently appears on banned books lists is J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, a novel known for its raw depiction of teenage rebellion and alienation. Salinger’s work is frequently criticized for its use of profanity, sexual references, and themes of mental illness, with challengers often claiming it promotes immoral behavior. Similarly, John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, a novella about two displaced ranch workers during the Great Depression, faces bans for its use of offensive language and portrayal of violence.
But censorship isn’t limited to older classics. In recent years, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series has become one of the most challenged book series, with complaints ranging from its depiction of witchcraft and magic to accusations that it promotes disobedience and undermines religious beliefs. And the challenges are not limited to Western classics either. Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, which tells the story of a friendship between two boys in Afghanistan, has been banned in some places due to its portrayal of sexual assault, cultural taboos, and depictions of violence.
Toni Morrison’s Beloved is another frequently banned book, often challenged for its graphic depictions of slavery and violence, as well as its exploration of difficult and painful topics like trauma and motherhood. Morrison, a Nobel laureate, once noted that attempts to ban her books often stem from an unwillingness to confront the uncomfortable truths of American history.
Similarly, Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, a semi-autobiographical novel about a Native American boy navigating life on and off the reservation, has been challenged for its honest depiction of poverty, alcoholism, and racism. Despite the book’s heart and humor, many find its portrayal of life’s hardships too controversial for young readers.
The reasons for banning books are as varied as the titles themselves. Some books are banned for their perceived religious implications, others for their depictions of violence, drug use, or sexual content. Many books, like The Color Purple by Alice Walker, which has faced bans for its exploration of race, gender, and sexual violence, are removed from schools and libraries because they challenge readers to engage with difficult and often uncomfortable subject matter. For some, the very act of challenging deeply entrenched norms is threatening.
However, supporters of Banned Books Week argue that these very challenges are what make literature so powerful. Books open windows into different perspectives, allowing readers to confront ideas they may not have encountered before. This ability to provoke thought and emotion is one of the reasons why literature is so important, particularly in a free society. Removing books from libraries or classrooms denies readers—especially young ones—the opportunity to engage with complex ideas and to form their own opinions about them.
Banned Books Week is, therefore, a celebration not just of the books themselves, but of the idea that access to information is a fundamental human right. It highlights the importance of intellectual freedom—the right to read, learn, and explore ideas without fear of censorship or punishment. For librarians, educators, writers, and readers alike, it is a time to reflect on the significance of protecting these freedoms, particularly in an age when access to information can be more easily restricted through technology and social pressures.
Across the country, libraries and bookstores will set up special displays of banned or challenged books, inviting patrons to pick up a title they might not have considered before. Many host read-ins, panel discussions, and workshops designed to foster conversations about censorship, freedom of speech, and the importance of access to diverse ideas.
Banned Books Week isn’t just about the books that have been taken off shelves; it’s a call to action for those who believe in the value of free expression. It’s a reminder that books have the power to challenge, provoke, and inspire. And while some may seek to silence certain voices, Banned Books Week serves as a powerful testament to the enduring power of literature to spark change, one reader at a time.
As the event approaches, it offers an invitation to not only read banned books but to reflect on the broader implications of censorship and the vital role literature plays in shaping our understanding of the world. Whether it’s The Hunger Games or The Handmaid’s Tale, Lord of the Flies or Fun Home, Banned Books Week encourages all readers to explore, question, and, most importantly, read without fear.
Learn more about Banned Books Week: https://www.ala.org/bbooks