Top Ten Challenged Books for Bookworms
Challenged and Banned Books
Have you ever read To Kill a Mockingbird? You may not have known that it is actually a challenged book. Challenged/Banned books have mostly been removed from schools and libraries, they challenge these books with the intention of protecting people, mostly younger audiences. But many wonder if the reasoning behind restricting these books is too biased, and if challenging these books is really based on the person's beliefs and opinions of what people should be exposed to.
Why are they Challenged/Banned?
Most books that are chosen to be challenged/banned are picked because they have some foul language, LGBTQ+ affiliations, any sexual references, violence/negativity, racism, or political/religious bias . But that can be why challenged books are so worth the read, to expose yourself to those difficult worlds. Most books that are being challenged are books from high school libraries, students at that age already have their opinions and beliefs and do not need to be protected from books.
Difference Between Challenged/Banned
The difference between these challenged and banned books is, “A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials”. Though the only way to personally decide whether it should be challenged or banned is to read the book and pass your own judgment on the text. That's why we’ve found a top ten list of the most challenged or controversial books of 2020 with the reasons included for you to give a look, curated by the American Library Association:
1. George by Alex Gino
Reasons: Challenged, banned, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content, conflicting with a religious viewpoint, and not reflecting the values of the community.
2. Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds
Reasons: Banned and challenged because of author’s public statements, and because of claims that the book contains “selective storytelling incidents” and does not encompass racism against all people.
3. All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, drug use, and alcoholism, and because it was thought to promote anti-police views and contain divisive topics.
4. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Reasons: Banned, challenged, and restricted because it was thought to contain a political viewpoint and it was claimed to be biased against male students, and for the novel’s inclusion of rape and profanity.
5. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and allegations of sexual misconduct by the author.
6. Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story About Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard, illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin
Reasons: Challenged for “divisive language” and because it was thought to promote anti-police views.
7. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Reasons: Banned and challenged for racial slurs and their negative effect on students, featuring a “white savior” character, and its perception of the Black experience
8. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Reasons: Banned and challenged for racial slurs and racist stereotypes, and their negative effect on students.
9. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Reasons: Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and depicts child sexual abuse.
10. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Reasons: Challenged for profanity, and it was thought to promote an anti-police message.
Overall?
Have you read any of the restricted books above? What did you think of them? Some you may have even read in school. So, are these challenged books biased? Are they being chosen based on what the one person determines is right? It seems like overprotective parents trying to shield their teenagers from reality. When I took a class in the library, I read the challenged book, “Speak” by Laurie Halse Anderson. It was such a powerful book, I couldn't believe it was challenged, since it could really help young people who relate to the book. If someone tries to challenge a book you think would benefit and educate society, you should always take action and fight for others to be educated. Remember that bookworms are powerful.
