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As an avid book reader, most of my day flies by thinking about all the books that have been banned and challenged globally. What is actually hidden in some mere words that is causing such a global controversy and has led so many authorities to work together in order to ban them? What about the freedom of expression and the role of literature in today’s day and time when we can’t read so many books? Did you know that PIA studied the global book ban and concluded that in 2022, over 2500 books were targeted for bans by multiple groups in the US?
As per studies, it was also revealed that in the school year 2022-2023, 3362 individual books were banned from various school libraries, including 1557 unique titles. Can you imagine how much US school kids are losing because of this uncalled ban? But what are the reasons behind these book bans, and why are they increasing rapidly with each turning day?
Notable Book Bans of All Time –
| Book | Author |
| Gender Queer: A Memoir | Maia Kobabe |
| All Boys Aren’t Blue | George M. Johnson |
| This Book Is Gay | Juno Dawson |
| The Perks of Being a Wallflower | Stephen Chbosky |
| Flamer | Mike Curato |
| The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison |
| Me and Earl and the Dying Girl | Jesse Andrews |
| Tricks | Ellen Hopkins |
| Let’s Talk About It: The Teen’s Guide to Sex, Relationships and Being a Human | Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan |
| Sold | Patricia McCormick |
What are the Reasons Behind Notable Book Bans and Challenges?
From the above table, we can conclude what the most notable book bans of all time are, but do we know the reasons behind them? In the following sections, we will explore the different reasons behind these book bans and challenges –
Sexual Content
One of the biggest reasons behind book bans is the mention of sexually explicit content and themes of sexual violence, sexual acts, exploration of sexual identity, and orientation. Books based on such themes aren’t often banned, but they are challenged frequently. A few examples can be taken from E.L. James’ popular trilogy Fifty Shades and The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison.
Offensive Language
Another prominent reason behind book challenges is the pronity and vulgar/offensive language used in the books. Many critics and individuals often argue that the use of such language is deemed inappropriate for young readers, especially those who are still in school, and can set a bad example. A few examples of such books that were challenged for their inappropriate language include J.D Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye and Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Racial Themes
Many books are often banned and challenged for their portrayal of racial themes, as they may cause feelings of distress in some people. A prominent example of this can be Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, which was challenged for its racial theme and slurs. These racial objections are often centered around the perceived perpetuation of racial confrontations and stereotypes.
LGBTQ+ Content
Most of the books that are banned/ challenged have one thing in common, expression of LGBTQIA+ content. These challenges generally arise from the belief that LGBTQ+ content is morally inappropriate for young readers and may confuse them. This ban comes from authorities who oppose the representation of LGBTQIA+ content and fear that these books may promote or generalize these orientations.
Wrapping Up
Most reasons behind book challenges are as varied as the books themselves. While the intent behind banning books is to protect young minds, they often spark controversial debates around pivotal factors such as freedom of expression, the role of literature, and the rights and responsibilities in society.
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