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On the 16th of November, we have our Book Club with the theme "Banned Books". But what are banned books and why do people (governments) ban books?
A great organization that gives more (and better) context about this absurd idea of banning books is the American Library Association. They are actually a great support for challenged and banned books. The difference between the two is quite straightforward: when an organization or people want to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others it's called challenging. When the material is actually removed, then we're speaking of banning books. The reason why people are challenging books:
Books usually are challenged with the best intentions—to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information. Often challenges are motivated by a desire to protect children from “inappropriate” sexual content or “offensive” language. The following were the top three reasons cited for challenging materials as reported to the Office of Intellectual Freedom: the material was considered to be "sexually explicit", the material contained "offensive language", the materials was "unsuited to any age group"
This is from a source in the States. Unfortunately, it's not only happening there. Bookriot conducted a list (in 2022) of more countries where we see this censorship as well.
In China, it is known fact that materials, includes books, that criticize the Chinese Communist Party are always banned.
In nearby Singapore, a book on censorship of political cartoons was blocked from publication in November 2020 for having “offensive images that denigrate religions.”
In the Philippines, meanwhile, a government agency issued a memorandum to universities and colleges in October 2021 to remove “subversive materials” from libraries and online services.
In June 2021, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban passed the controversial anti-LGBTQ law. But even before that, attacks against the LGBTQ community were already rising. In 2020, Meseorszag mindenkie (or A Fairy Tale for Everyone in English), a fairytale retelling anthology featuring LGBTQ characters, was targeted by far-right politicians. In a press conference, one even individually tore the pages of said book and called it “homosexual propaganda,” according to TIME.
Russia is plagued with various forms of censorship, echoing its Soviet past. From 2010 onwards, Russia censored an LGBTQ-themed children’s book and banned a religious title, among other things. Beginning in 2014, books with swear words would also have to be sealed and marked with “obscenity” warnings before putting on shelves.
In Canada, the French school board Conseil scolaire catholique burned about 30 books for “educational purposes” in 2019. The ashes from the books were used as a fertilizer. Over 4,700 books were also pulled off from library shelves of some 30 schools, even destroying them, according to Canada’s The National Post.
Australia, the biggest country in Oceania, is no different from the other countries in the Anglosphere. One librarian told The Canberra Times that majority of the books banned in the past have something to do with the “idea of women taking charge” to which men find “uncomfortable.” Likewise, majority of the challenges, according to them, came from parents and religious groups.
To me, it's crazy there is still this censorship all around the world. Even when we think it doesn't happen often, it actually happens more than we think. Everyone should be able to read what they want and have access to the books they want. Because the books they ban… gosh, have you seen the list?
Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023
1. Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
Number of challenges: 106
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
2. All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson
Number of challenges: 82
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
3. This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson
Number of challenges: 71
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, sex education, claimed to be sexually explicit
4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen ChboskyNumber of challenges: 68
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content, rape, drugs, profanity
5. Flamer by Mike Curato
Number of challenges: 67
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
6. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Number of challenges: 62
Challenged for: rape, incest, claimed to be sexually explicit, EDI content
7/8. (tie) Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
Number of challenges: 56
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, profanity
7/8. (tie) Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
Number of challenges: 56
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, drugs, rape, LGBTQIA+ content
9. Let's Talk About It: The Teen's Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan
Number of challenges: 55
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, sex education, LGBTQIA+ content
10. Sold by Patricia McCormick
Number of challenges: 53
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, rape
The book I have chosen for the Book Club, is in the list of the “Top 100 most frequently challenged Books”. I am not giving away the title - just yet. But here’s the Top 20 for you to see. If you want the full list, again ALA has all the information.
Top 20 Most Challenged/Banned Books (2010-2019)
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
Drama by Raina Telgemeier
Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James
Internet Girls (series) by Lauren Myracle
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
I Am Jazz by Jazz Jennings and Jessica Herthel
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Bone (series) by Jeff Smith
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan
A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss
Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg
Hopefully one day, soon, these books will no longer be challenged!