This week is National Banned Book Week as labeled by the American Library Association. This event was established in 1982 but has become more relevant today than in its founding year. In the last few years there has been a greater uptick in political challenges to books being in libraries, schools, and bookstores.
One of the top 10 books challenged this past year is shockingly “Forever” by Judy Blume. I am shocked because it was published 50 years ago. I read this book when I was about 13 or 14 years old as a fan of other Judy Blume books. Nothing about the story influenced my decisions immediately after. Now, compared to the 1970’s, we have increased access to the internet and social media. What’s online represents the good, the bad, and the ugly. Nothing in this book is more inappropriate than what we see online every day.
Each month I recommend books of different topics for this blog. I wanted to go through some of the books that I have read other than “Forever,” that I am shocked to see on this list.
“The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison
A book that touches on a young girl who lives in poverty with her family and has to deal with incest all while navigate life.
“The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas
This story touches on a black teenage girl who is a witness to her male friend’s murder at the hands of the police. We see the aftermath of events from her perspective as well as that of the community in which they live.
“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee
This story takes place in early 20th in the South. It was during a time of lynching and reduced civil rights for Black Americans. It follows a young white girl and her older brother who experience the usual childhood adventures of that time. They also happen to be the children of a lawyer representing a Black man on trial for raping a white woman. In it, we see how the family navigate the events surrounding the case. Also, we read about a secondary storyline related to their adventures.
“The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins
A fantasy novel that deals with a class system and the concept of a draft mixed with survival of the fittest. Any rule applies when it comes to taking out another, but whether morals are present is the question. On top of this the games are controlled by the political system of the highest class.
Here’s the Top 10 most challenged books for 2024-2025. Check them out and read a few if you are interested. Let’s remember the American motto of being the “Land of the Free.”