Efforts to ban, restrict, censor or limit reading materials have existed since humans have had opinions about what makes a good or useful story. Books are challenged for a wide variety of reasons, but recent targets tend to feature LGBTQ+ characters or uncomfortable histories and realities.
Start the Conversation
As a parent or caregiver, it can be awkward and challenging to talk to kids about the content in banned books, or about why people would even want to remove a book from a particular library or place. But it doesn’t have to be scary. Try one of these books that use book banning as a plot point to get the conversation rolling.
The Great Banned-books Bake Sale – Upon learning that her school district has banned books with kids who look like her, Kanzi feels helpless. With the support of her classmates and teacher, Kanzi hatches a plan to hold a bake sale and use the proceeds to buy diverse books to donate to libraries.
Ink Girls – In a vibrant city that thrives on trade and invention, two girls from very different walks of life join forces to fight censorship and protect the people they love.
Words on Fire – In 1893, Audra lives on a farm in Lithuania. She tries to avoid the Cossack soldiers who enforce the Russian decrees that ban Lithuanian books, religion, culture and even the language; but when the soldiers invade the farm, Audra is the only one who escapes. Unsure of what has happened to her parents, she embarks on a dangerous journey, carrying the smuggled Lithuanian books that fuel the growing resistance movement.
See the full list.
Challenged Books for Younger Kids
Continue the conversation by taking a look at books that have been challenged. Talk about the stories and think about why someone might find that book either valuable or inappropriate. To begin, you might explore one of these picture books that have been challenged.
Goodnight Moon – In this classic children's story, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling music combine to create a perfect listening experience at the end of the day.
Lailah's Lunchbox – Now that she is 10, Lailah is delighted that she can fast during the month of Ramadan like her family and her friends in Abu Dhabi, but finding a way to explain to her teacher and classmates in Atlanta is a challenge until she gets some good advice from the librarian.
Milo Imagines the World – While Milo and his sister travel to a detention center to visit their incarcerated mother, he observes strangers on the subway and draws what he imagines their lives to be.
Unicorns Are the Worst – A grumpy goblin hates having unicorns as neighbors, but when dragons threaten his home and the unicorns come to the rescue, he has to admit that maybe unicorns are not so bad after all.
See the full list.
For a wider range of challenged children’s titles to read and discuss, including chapter books and graphic novels, check out this list of recommended challenged books.
Challenged Books for Older Kids
For older kids, some of the most frequently challenged books in recent years might offer more meaningful discussion. Every child, every reader, every family is different, and no two conversations about book banning are alike. Explore these books for topics that will help you have a discussion with your family about censorship.
Front Desk – This book follows a young girl named Mia who manages the front desk of a motel while her immigrant parents struggle to achieve the American Dream.
Ground Zero – Two kids. One devastating day. This book follows two characters on the same day in different years: 9-year-old Brandon on September 11, 2001, in New York City and 11-year-old Reshmina on September 11, 2019, in Afghanistan. Ground Zero delivers a pulse-pounding and unforgettable take on history and hope.
Melissa – The novel tells the story of Melissa, a 4th-grade girl who struggles to be herself to the rest of the world. Melissa is a heartwarming story that teaches self-acceptance, identity and courage.
See the full list.
Keep an eye on the current situation around book challenges, restrictions, and bans by following news from PEN America, ALA or Michigan Right to Read. And if you’re looking for quality authors who write so boldly they are frequently targeted by challenges to their books, take a look at the Eleanor Roosevelt Banned Book Awards webpage.
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