Sept. 18-24 marks Banned Books Week. The annual event celebrates our freedom to read and spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools.
In 2021, the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 729 challenges to library, school and university materials and services, resulting in more than 1,597 individual book challenges or removals. Most targeted books were by or about Black or LGBTQIA+ persons.
The theme for Banned Books Week 2022 is “Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us.” Books have the ability to reach across boundaries and build connections between readers. Censorship, on the other hand, creates barriers between us.
This week, we invite you to grab a banned or challenged book from the shelves of Meyer Library to celebrate your right to read:
“All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto,” by George M. Johnson
Banned or challenged due to LGBTQIA+ content and profanity
In a series of personal essays, prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson explores his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. From the memories of getting his teeth kicked out by bullies at age five, to flea marketing with his loving grandmother, to his first sexual relationships, this young-adult memoir weaves together the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys.
“The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian,” by Sherman Alexie
Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and allegations of sexual misconduct by the author
Bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the reservation to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot.
“The Giver,” by Lois Lowry
Banned or challenged for references of infanticide, suicide and euthanasia
This dystopian novel portrays what it truly means to be human. Twelve-year-old Jonas lives in a seemingly ideal world. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver does he begin to understand the dark secrets behind his fragile community.
“We Are the Ants,” Shaun David Hutchinson
Banned or challenged due to LGBTQIA+ content and sexual references
Set during a four-month span in Calypso, Florida, the story revolves around morose teenager Henry Denton following the suicide of his boyfriend, Jesse. When Henry is abducted by aliens and told that he has the power to save the world by pressing a big red button, Henry has 144 days to either save humanity or watch it go extinct.