“Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. It brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular,” as stated on the American Library’s Association (ALA)’s website. Here is the list of the top 10 most challenged and banned books of 2020 and the reasons cited for censoring the books: George by Alex GinoReasons: Challenged, banned, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content, conflicting with a religious viewpoint, and not reflecting “the values of our community” Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason ReynoldsReasons: 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 All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan KielyReasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, drug use, and alcoholism, and because it was thought to promote anti-police views, contain divisive topics, and be “too much of a sensitive matter right now” Speak by Laurie Halse AndersonReasons: 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 The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman AlexieReasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and allegations of sexual misconduct by the author Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story About Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard, illustrated by Jennifer ZivoinReasons: Challenged for “divisive language” and because it was thought to promote anti-police views To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper LeeReasons: Banned and challenged for racial slurs and their negative effect on students, featuring a “white savior” character, and its perception of the Black experience Of Mice and Men by John SteinbeckReasons: Banned and challenged for racial slurs and racist stereotypes, and their negative effect on students The Bluest Eye by Toni MorrisonReasons: Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and depicts child sexual abuse The Hate U Give by Angie ThomasReasons: Challenged for profanity, and it was thought to promote an anti-police message To celebrate this week, add some of these books to reading your list! As the theme of this week says, “Books unite us. Censorship divides us.”
