“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” — First Amendment, The Bill of Rights
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution prevents our government from making laws that restrict religious practices or abridge the freedom of speech, the freedom of the press, or the freedom of assembly. It was adopted on December 15, 1791, as one of the ten amendments that constitute the Bill of Rights. Because of the First Amendment, United States citizens have the right to speak, publish, and read freely without government interference or limitations. The First Amendment in practice means that other people cannot censor what we want to say, or write or read, even if they find it offensive or dangerous. It doesn’t mean that everyone has to listen to our thoughts or opinions or agree with us. They are free to ignore us, or to argue with us, but they can’t silence us, no matter how much we may offend them.
Book banning, a form of censorship, directly contradicts the First Amendment right to free speech. Censorship is the suppression of ideas that certain persons—individuals or groups—find objectionable or dangerous. Censors try to impose their view of what is appropriate on everyone else. Censorship happens whenever some people succeed in imposing their values on others by silencing or erasing words, images, or ideas that they find offensive.
Banned Books Week is an annual event that celebrates the importance of the First Amendment. Banned Books Week brings together librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers to honor the value of free and open access to ideas and information. During Banned Book Week, observed this year September 27th–October 3rd, advocates speak out for the freedom to read.
Book banning is the most widespread form of censorship in the United States. Book banning occurs when individuals, government officials, or organizations remove books from libraries, schools, or bookstores because of their objections to the books’ contents, ideas, or themes.
A ban begins with a challenge—a demand to remove or restrict materials based upon the objections of a person or group. A challenge, if not blocked, may lead to a ban—removal of those materials or other forms of restriction on access. Hundreds of children’s books, young adult novels, and literary classics are challenged or banned in American schools and libraries every year.
The American Library Association (ALA) has tracked book challenges since 1990. In most years, about 10% of reported challenges result in the banning of a book from a school or library. But the ALA estimates that only about 3 to 18% of challenges are reported, meaning that between 82 to 97% of book challenges go unreported.
According to the ALA, challenges are most frequently brought by library patrons (33%), followed by parents (32%), school administrators (13%), librarians or teachers (10%), political and religious groups (6%), elected officials (3%), and students (3%). Books are most often challenged at public libraries (59%), school libraries (23%), schools (14%), and academic libraries (3%).
People trying to ban books from libraries do not usually regard their efforts as censorship. Their typical complaints are about offensive (in their opinion) material. Censors’ reasons for demanding restriction or removal may be that the book portrays racism, sexism, nudity, offensive language, abortion, drugs/alcohol, gambling, gangs, violence, suicide, homosexuality, or witchcraft/occult. Challenged or banned books often explore complex issues such as race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, mental illness, and disability.
In 2019, 377 challenges to library, school, and university materials, targeting 566 books, were reported. While books have been and continue to be banned, Banned Books Week celebrates the fact that most book challenges are defeated. This happens only thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, students, and community members who stand up and speak out for the freedom to read.
Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2019
The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 377 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2019. Of the 566 books that were targeted, here are the most challenged, along with the reasons cited for censoring the books:
George by Alex Gino: Challenged, banned, restricted, and hidden to avoid controversy; for LGBTQIA+ content and a transgender character; because schools and libraries should not “put books in a child’s hand that require discussion”; for sexual references; and for conflicting with a religious viewpoint and “traditional family structure.”
Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin: Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, for “its effect on any young people who would read it,” and for concerns that it was sexually explicit and biased.
A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss: Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and political viewpoints, for concerns that it is “designed to pollute the morals of its readers,” and for not including a content warning.
Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg: Challenged, banned, and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content; for discussing gender identity and sex education; and for concerns that the title and illustrations were “inappropriate.”
Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack: Challenged and restricted for featuring a gay marriage and LGBTQIA+ content; for being “a deliberate attempt to indoctrinate young children” with the potential to cause confusion, curiosity, and gender dysphoria; and for conflicting with a religious viewpoint.
I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings: Challenged and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content, for a transgender character, and for confronting a topic that is “sensitive, controversial, and politically charged.”
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood: Banned and challenged for profanity and for “vulgarity and sexual overtones.”
Drama written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier: Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and for concerns that it goes against “family values/morals.”
Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling: Banned and forbidden from discussion for referring to magic and witchcraft, for containing actual curses and spells, and for characters that use “nefarious means” to attain goals.
And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson: Challenged and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content.
