Launched in 1982, Banned Books Week is an annual event that champions the freedom to read. Over the past 40 years, the number of banned and challenged books in libraries and schools has risen dramatically. This year’s theme, “Freed Between the Lines,” ran from September 22 to 28. At WITS, we support the freedom to read and oppose all efforts to ban books in U.S. schools and libraries.
According to the American Library Association, book challenges surged by an alarming 65 percent in 2023 compared to 2022, marking the highest number ever recorded. “The new numbers show attempts to censor 4,240 unique book titles in schools and libraries, surpassing the previous high of 2,571 titles targeted in 2022.” In April 2024, PEN America released a report highlighting key trends in the movement to ban books, including censorship of LGBTQ+ and transgender narratives, texts addressing sexual violence, and books about race and racism.
The most banned and challenged book of 2023, Gender Queer: A Memoir, by Maia Kobabe, recounts the author’s exploration of gender and identity from adolescence to adulthood. Identifying as queer, bisexual, and non-binary, Kobabe wrote this memoir to guide young people grappling with questions about gender and sexual orientation. The book has been pulled from library and school shelves in Texas, Florida, Alaska, and other states for its handling of topics such as puberty and sexuality. Kobabe’s message to those seeking to ban the book: “There are so many kinds of people in this world, and everyone needs a different kind of story. Stories can serve multiple purposes. They can be mirrors, in which you see yourself, they can be windows in which you can see a view into another person’s lived experience. And even if a book does not seem useful, or valuable to one reader, it might be deeply valuable to another. That’s why we need lots of types of books and lots of types of stories.”
You can find a list of the ten most challenged books of 2023 here.
Building Resistance
While efforts to ban books have increased over the years, students, librarians, educators, and lawmakers are fighting back. Some states have even prohibited book bans entirely. In June 2023, Governor Pritzker signed a bill making it illegal to ban books in Illinois, the first state to implement such a measure. Minnesota, California, Maryland, Colorado, Washington, and Vermont followed with similar legislation. You can find more information about state laws and book censorship here.
Students are taking action as well. In Florida, where the number of banned books is the highest, young people held rallies to protest censorship, and six publishers have teamed up to sue the state over unconstitutional book bans. In Wyoming, students staged a “read-in” at a local school board meeting, and in Alaska, 650 students walked out to raise awareness about censorship. Larger organizations such as the National Institute Against Censorship, We Need Diverse Books, and Unite Against Book Bans are actively spreading awareness about the harms of censorship and providing resources for students, parents, and educators.
Windows, Mirrors, Sliding Glass Doors
At WITS, we believe representation matters. Providing students with a diverse selection of books is essential for their growth as readers and individuals. Through the “windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors” approach, WITS offers young people texts that reflect their own experiences, provide insights into the lives of others, and allow them to immerse themselves in new perspectives. Books that capture the complexity and diversity of our society are vital tools for building empathy, critical thinking, and positive self-identity. Restricting access to these books decreases student engagement in reading, further marginalizes already underrepresented groups, and ultimately threatens democracy. As an anti-racist organization committed to social justice, WITS strives to create a library of books that reflect the lives of all young readers.
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