By Evelyn Lucado
Elm Staff Writer
According to the American Library Association, in 2023, the number of challenges against individual book titles surged 63% from previous years. 2023 saw the highest recorded level documented by the ALA, with 4,204 individual titles challenged.
A diverse selection of banned books, ranging from classic literature to young adult romance, appeals to various readers. While these titles tackle sensitive themes, they play a crucial role in highlighting marginalized voices, challenging authority, and making critical observations. Here is a spoiler-free look at four significant banned books that you should read soon.
“All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto”
For anyone curious about the LGBTQ+ community, the New York Times Best Seller“All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson is an incredible young adult memoir recounting Johnson’s experience growing up as a Black, queer boy in New Jersey and Virginia. With each essay, the memoir progresses through Johnson’s life and the various traumas he experienced.
The memoir is a harrowing story of survival and self-discovery, tackling themes of gender identity, toxic masculinity, and Black joy.
According to Pen America, “All Boys Aren’t Blue” was the second “most banned” book of the 2021-2022 school year, with the memoir being banned or challenged in over two dozen public school districts. Those who challenge the book have claimed that it is “sexually explicit” and that the themes of LGBTQ+ identities and struggles are “inappropriate” for young adult readers.
“The Handmaid’s Tale”
For readers interested in dystopian literature, Margaret Atwood’s classic novel “The Handmaid’s Tale” is a dystopian and speculative fiction novel that showcases a horrifying image of America under a theocratic and authoritative regime, where fertile women are subjugated as “handmaids” and forced to bear children for society’s elites.
While many think of “The Handmaid’s Tale” as improbable science fiction, according to a Time Magazine interview with Atwood, the treatment of women showcased in the novel is based on the authentic treatment of women throughout history.
“When I first published the book, some people did the ‘it could never happen here’ thing. ‘We’re so far along with women’s rights that we can’t go back.’ I don’t hear that much anymore,” Atwood said.
The novel offers a sharp critique of gender inequality and totalitarianism, depicting a bleak future for America. Atwood’s haunting narrative forces readers to confront the societal structures that uphold oppression.
According to Pen America, “The Handmaid’s Tale” is among the list of highly banned and contested books across several states for its so-called violent, sexual, and controversial subject matter.
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower”
In terms of young adult literature, Stephen Chbosky’s “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is a must-read. The coming-of-age story is told through the letters of Charlie, a socially awkward teenager, as he navigates the challenges of high school, mental health, self-acceptance, and past traumas.
The book won several awards, with the novel captures the experience of being an isolated teenager struggling to find themselves and their place in the world.
According to an interview between Chbosky and the National Coalition Against Censorship, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” has been banned and challenged countless times in public schools. The most common reasons cited for challenging the book include the presence of LGBTQ+ characters and discussions of mental illness.
“For many kids, the book helped end a sense of isolation. It ended the idea that they were all alone in what they were going through…Charlie’s struggles, and his friends’ struggles, speak directly to those experiences,” Chbosky said.
“The Hate U Give”
Another incredible young adult read, Angie Thomas’s award-winning novel “The Hate U Give” tells the harrowing story of 16-year-old Starr Carter as she navigates her life after the murder of her childhood best friend at the hands of a police officer.
According to Angie Thomas’s website, the novel is deeply inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, addressing the urgent issues of police brutality and systemic racism in America. Through its compelling narrative and rich characters, the story highlights the harsh realities faced by many Black individuals, exploring the emotional turmoil and moral challenges of standing up against injustice.
According to Pen America, “The Hate U Give” has been challenged in over 17 school districts for so-called “foul language,” depictions of violence, and the perception of an “anti-police message.”
The censorship of books limits access to diverse perspectives and suppresses marginalized voices. They are important to read and understand and with winter break coming up, there is an opportunity to read and abosrb the messages of the books. These books can be found at local bookstores like The Bookplate, located in downtown Chestertown.
Photo Caption: The Bookplate in downtown Chestertown is a great resource for students in need of a new book to read. They even have a whole section dedicated to banned books.