Why Do Schools Ban Books?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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There are a few common reasons that books have been banned or censored in schools, libraries, and book stores. These include: Racial Issues : About and/or encouraging racism towards one or more group of people. ... Violence or Negativity: Books with content that include violence are often banned or censored.

Why should books be banned in schools?

Banned books often deal with subjects that are realistic, timely, and topical . Young people may find a character going through exactly what they are, which makes it a powerful reading experience and helps the reader sort out thorny issues like grief, divorce, sexual assault, bullying, prejudice, and sexual identity.

Why is book banning bad?

According to the American Library Association data, the biggest reasons for banned books are racial issues, damaging lifestyles , blasphemous dialog, sex, violence/negativity, witchcraft, religion, politics, or just age inappropriate.

How does banning books affect students?

For teachers, book banning means shaky, ever-changing curriculum, fear for personal choices, and the tragedy of self-censorship. For students, book banning means a denial of First Amendment rights, a narrow world view, and psychological deficits . For the classroom, book banning means discourse is hindered.

Why are books being banned 2020?

More than 273 titles were challenged or banned in 2020, with increasing demands to remove books that address racism and racial justice or those that shared the stories of Black, Indigenous, or people of color. As with previous years, LGBTQ+ content also dominated the list.

Who is responsible for banning books?

(Crum, 2014) As previously stated, parents and librarians are those who are most often found to ban books. In an excerpt of an interview from Scott DiMarco, a librarian and library director, we learn why banning books can sometimes be used to prove a point.

Why are books banned in the US?

There are a few common reasons that books have been banned or censored in schools, libraries, and book stores. These include: Racial Issues : About and/or encouraging racism towards one or more group of people. ... Violence or Negativity: Books with content that include violence are often banned or censored.

What is Banned book Week in America?

Banned Books Week (September 26 – October 2, 2021) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read . Typically held during the last week of September, it spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools.

Why banning books is a good idea?

Banned books often deal with subjects that are realistic, timely and topical . Young people may find a character going through exactly what they are, which makes it a powerful reading experience and helps the reader sort out thorny issues such as grief, divorce, sexual assault, bullying, prejudice and sexual identity.

Is banning books unconstitutional?

Protecting the rights of students to express as well as receive information, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a book or periodical must be “pervasively vulgar” to constitute adequate ground for banning. Nevertheless, a few years later, the Supreme Court ruled that school officials could censor student journalists.

Are books being banned?

Despite the opposition from the American Library Association (ALA), books continue to be banned by school and public libraries across the United States . ... Libraries sometimes avoid purchasing controversial books, and the personal opinions of librarians have at times affected book selection.

How many books are banned in the world?

In 2018, the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom documented 483 books challenged or banned in 2018.

What would happen if books were banned?

If books get banned, we might not have cared enough about anyone else , their story, or their suffering. We might have been content to see things in black and white, without being eager to understand the different facets of human behaviour. When we connect with people, even fictional ones, we become part of a community.

What is the number 1 banned book in America?

  • The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.
  • Captain Underpants (series) by Dav Pilkey.
  • Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher.
  • Looking for Alaska by John Green.
  • George by Alex Gino.
  • And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell.

What are the banned books of 2020?

  • George by Alex Gino. ...
  • Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. ...
  • All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely. ...
  • Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. ...
  • The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.

What books are illegal in the US?

  • Brave New World.
  • Of Mice and Men.
  • To Kill a Mockingbird.
  • The Catcher in the Rye.
  • The Harry Potter series.
  • Fun Home.
Juan Martinez
Author
Juan Martinez
Juan Martinez is a journalism professor and experienced writer. With a passion for communication and education, Juan has taught students from all over the world. He is an expert in language and writing, and has written for various blogs and magazines.