Introduction: What is Banned Books Week?

Banned Books Week is an annual event that celebrates the freedom to read. It's a time to highlight the books that have been Banned or challenged, and to remind everyone that the freedom to read is a fundamental right. It is held during the last week of September and features events and activities across the country.

During Banned Books Week, librarians, teachers, booksellers, and readers come together to celebrate the freedom to read and to highlight the importance of access to information. The week also serves as a reminder that censorship attempts to continue to this day and that we must remain vigilant in our fight against them.

This year, Banned Books Week will be held on September 18-24, 2022. It was founded in 1982 by the American Library Association and is held during the last week of September. During Banned Books Week, libraries, bookstores, and schools across the country host events and displays to highlight books that have been challenged or banned. The purpose of Banned Books Week is to remind us that freedom of expression is a fundamental right guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution.

Books are one of the best ways to know about society, time, and culture. Books can also be controversial.

A Brief History of Book Banning in the US

Throughout history, books have been banned for a variety of reasons. In the United States, book banning began in the late 1800s when cities started passing laws against obscene materials. These laws were often used to ban books that were critical of the government or that contained sexually explicit content.

In the early 1900s, there was a wave of immigration to the United States and many of these new immigrants brought with them different ideas and customs. This led to an increase in censorship and book banning. Books that were considered “subversive” or that promoted communism were often banned.

Over time, there has been a gradual shift towards more tolerance and freedom of expression. However, even today, there are still some books that are banned in certain schools or libraries. This is usually due to pressure from groups who find fault with the book's content.

Banned Books Week: Raising Awareness of the Importance of Freedom to Read

Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. It was founded in 1982 in response to a growing number of challenges to books in schools, libraries, and universities. Banned Books Week raises awareness of the importance of freedom to read, and highlights the power of literature to transform lives.

There are many ways you can get involved in Banned Books Week. The theme for Banned Books Week 2022 is “Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us.” You can visit your local library or bookstore and check out a banned book, host a discussion about censorship, or take part in one of the many events being held across the country.

Common Reasons Books Are Banned

Some books are banned because they have strong sexual content or express negative views about religion. Other books are not accepted because they contain violence and other explicit material. Some authors have been censored for their political views.

• Political reasons
• Religious reasons
• Sexual content
• Violence
• Drugs and alcohol

The most stigmatized topics in the world today are sexual orientation, mental illness, and addiction. These three topics are often ignored or avoided because of the stigma that surrounds them.

Have you read?

Get Ready for Banned Books Week 2018

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Why Books Are Still Banned Today

Despite the First Amendment, which protects our right to read, books are still being banned in the United States. There are several reasons books are still banned today. One reason is that some people believe certain books are inappropriate for children and young adults. Another reason is that some people believe certain books contain offensive language or content. And finally, some people believe certain books are simply not suitable for anyone to read.

Although banning books violates our First Amendment rights, it continues to happen‌. One of the most recent examples is the banning of the book “Captain Underpants” by Dav Pilkey. This book was banned because some parents and educators felt it was inappropriate for children. They felt it contained offensive language and content, and that it was not suitable for anyone to read.

The Most Influential Banned Books of All Time

• 1984 by George Orwell
• Animal Farm by George Orwell
• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• The Catcher In The Rye
• Lolita
• The Lord of the Rings

Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2021 (American Library Association)

1. Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe – Reasons: Banned, challenged, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content, and because it was considered having sexually explicit images
2. Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison – Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered being sexually explicit
3. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson – Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, profanity, and because it was considered being sexually explicit
4. Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez – Reasons: Banned, challenged, and restricted for depictions of abuse and because it was considered being sexually explicit
5. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas – Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, violence, and because it was thought to promote an anti-police message and indoctrination of a social agenda
6. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie – Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references and use of a derogatory term
7. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews – Reasons: Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and degrading to women
8. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison – Reasons: Banned and challenged because it depicts child sexual abuse and was considered sexually explicit
9. This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson – Reasons: Banned, challenged, relocated, and restricted for providing sexual education and LGBTQIA+ content.
10. Beyond Magenta by Susan Kuklin – Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered being sexually explicit.

What You Can Do During Banned Books Week 2022

There are many ways to get involved in Banned Books Week. You can check out some of the most frequently challenged books, host a reading event, or simply talk about the importance of the freedom to read with your friends and family. Here are some ways you can celebrate:

1. Read a banned book! There are plenty of lists online of the most commonly banned books. Why not choose one that you’ve been meaning to read anyway, anyway?
2. Check out your local library or bookstores Banned Books Week display. Many libraries and bookstores put up displays of banned books during the week, with information about why they were banned.
3. Attend a Banned Books Week event at your local library or bookstore. Many hold special events during the week, such as readings of banned books or panel discussions on censorship.
4. Spread the word on social media using the hashtag #bannedbooksweek.
5. Post a picture of yourself reading a banned book on your public social media page for the world to see.
6. Find an event near you. The ALA website has a searchable database that can be sorted by state, city, or type of event (such as movie or party).

So join us in celebrating Banned Books Week 2022. Read a banned book, share a banned book, and let's celebrate the freedom to read.

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The post Banned Books Week 2022: Celebrating Your Freedom to Read appeared first on The Invisible Mentor.