Category: Banned Books Week

Protests, Libraries, and our American Legacy

We’re going to talk about Banned Book Week today. Of course we are. But, we’re going to talk about something else. The real reason why Banned Books Week is so important to me, and to so many others.

I don’t talk a lot about patriotism. I am an American. And there are a whole lot of reasons to not be proud of that. There are horrors in our pasts. America has done terrible things to, well, an impressively long list of people. We were once a British Colony. And while we threw off the shackles of the monarchy, we kept the arrogance. The feeling that whatever we want can and should be ours for the taking.

But I am proud to be an American. Yes, we do often elect horrible leaders who do horrible things. But We The People also have a legacy of standing up, speaking out, and causing Good Trouble.

In my childhood, I spent time around many Vietnam veterans. They told me about being drafted. They told me about the war protests. They played protest songs for me and taught me about the Kent State shooting. Those college students were heroes to me. So was Greenpeace. (Yes, I know they started in Canada. But a lot of Americans were involved. Let me have this.)

Dr. King and John Lewis were heroes. They fought fiercely, bravely, for the rights they deserved. Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton were heroes. Charles Ortleb was a hero. Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera were heroes.

These were not people who fought in battle. They took to the streets and did not stutter. They said, “We are here. We will be heard.”

There is no shortage of heroes in modern America. Whenever horrors appear, when fascism threatens us, our heroes come out. The college students protesting the genocide in Gaza. The everyday citizens standing up to ICE agents who are abducting people from our streets. Even some politicians like Cory Booker, who gave a twenty five hour and five minute filibuster to protest the actions of Trump.

These are only a few examples. Americans might pick shitty people to lead us. But we also stand up.

In addition to a legacy of protests, America is home to the first free public library. The Peterborough Town Library in New Hampshire. We were the first people to say that reading was so crucial to the well-being of our people that we were going to provide places to do it for free. And I am incredibly proud of that.

We, as Americans, have inherited an awesome responsibility. Not only to protest the rise of fascism, racism, sexism, and hate. But to protect the legacy of our public libraries, our greatest achievement.

Banned Books Week is almost done. But the fight isn’t over. We have to fight to keep censorship and fascism out of our libraries, communities, and government. So I’ll keep reading banned books. I’ll keep fighting to protect our right to read and write whatever we want. Let’s live up to our legacy.

Paper Beats World is a labor of love. If you love what I do here, please consider liking and sharing this post and leaving a comment. You can also support me financially on Ko-fi.

Spooky season is coming, and it’s time for some creepy reads. Check out my horror novel Quiet Apocalypse, about a witch trapped in her apartment during a dark winter storm with a demon devoted to ending the world.

Or check out my horror short, The Man In The Woods. A man tries desperately to protect his granddaughter from the mysterious man in the woods. But his fear only grows when a new housing complex is built too close to the woods.

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Banned Books Week 2025

Did you know that Stephen King was recently acknowledged as the most-banned author in America? Way to go!

It’s Banned Books Week once again. And every year this week feels more and more important. Because every year it feels like America takes another goosestep towards fascism.

But we are still here, damn it! We can still protest. We can still fight in our own ways. And we can do our part this Banned Books Week to help fight off censorship.

Here is a list of things I’ll be doing, both this week and going forward.

(As always, Banned Books Week is an event hosted by the American Library Association.)

Share banned books

I’ll be sharing some of my favorite banned books on social media, using the hashtags #BannedBooksWeek and #Censorshipisso1984. Get the word out far and wide.

Read banned books

This one might be obvious. But what the hell, I’ll put it on here in case. The best way to support banned books is to read banned books.

This year, I’ll be reading Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson. I’m reading this because it’s the book suggested for the Right To Read events being held all over America this week. If you’re close to one, you should consider attending.

Start a little free library

This might be a project. I’m certainly not expecting to get this one done in a week. But now that we’ve moved and I have a yard again, I’m going to put in a little free library. And I’m going to stock it with banned books. I already have some ordered.

The top ten banned books every year are going right in that box.

Support the ALA

The American Library Association needs our help. They need support, financially and politically. Here’s a link if you want to check them out and see all the work they do all year, not just during Banned Books Week.

Show up for libraries

If you can, show up at town halls and community nights where your local library is being discussed. Make it clear that you oppose censorship. Make it clear to your local politicians, too.

Elections are a month away

Speaking of your local representatives, make sure you’re registered to vote. I know I say this a lot. I also know that there’s someone reading this right now who’s been meaning to register and keeps forgetting.

Get it done.

Go vote. Make a plan now. Know your local politicians and know who’s supporting freedom. And who’s not.

So now it’s your turn. What are you reading for Banned Books Week? Do you have a little library or know of one in your neighborhood? Let us know in the comments.

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The insidious truth behind book bans

Banned Books Week is nearly over. But the fight isn’t. It’s an election year, which means politicians will want to look like they stand for something.

Seems to me that with over 50 school shootings so far this year with 24 fatalities, gun reform would be something they’d stand for. Especially since there have been (checks notes) no deaths related to literature this year. But what do I know?

Book banning is one of the most hypocritical, insidious things we’re dealing with in our country. It’s not the worst thing, of course. But it’s something that feeds into most of the other problems we have. Poverty, racism, classism, they’re all fed by book bans.

Let me explain.

It’s another barrier for people without money

So far, no one is talking about banning books outright. They just want to ban books from public and school libraries. If you want to read a book, you can just buy it, right?

I don’t like that argument. It’s the same sort of thing people with money always say, forgetting that there are people who don’t have money.

Books are expensive. Right now I’m reading William by Mason Coile, and it is $24.30. $14.99 for the e-book. I paid nothing to read it because I borrowed it from my local library.

Now, I’m not digging at Coile here. Nova is $14.00 for the paperback. Broken Patterns is $13.00. Books are expensive. Most of that money doesn’t go to the writers. And even if it did, I wouldn’t want you to buy my book if it meant you were going to struggle to buy groceries that week. That’s why they’re all slowly being added to Hoopla.

Libraries give people with limited means access to books. So no, we cannot just go out and buy books if they’re banned from the library. And the freedom to read what we like shouldn’t be one more thing in our society with a financial barrier.

It demonizes books that don’t discuss a very specific worldview

If you look back at the list of books most often banned, you’ll notice that a lot of them are about people in the LGBTQ+ community. Of course, that’s not the reason given by people who want to ban these books. They argue that the books are sexual. But they consider anything to do with the LGBTQ+ community to be sexual.

At least, that’s what they’d like people to believe.

The truth is that most book bans are meant to keep a certain kind of book off the shelf. Specifically, any book that isn’t about a straight person experiencing a story that doesn’t make America look bad. Anything that steps out of that narrow view is in danger.

This effectively closes off a powerful avenue of acceptance for people who don’t exist in that narrow view. Which is to say, most of us. It’s easy to feel like there’s something wrong with you when no one around you understands what you’re experiencing. Books can be one way to find out that you’re not alone. There’s nothing wrong with you, and how you’re feeling is normal.

But of course, some don’t want LGBTQ+ people to feel normal. Some don’t want questioning our sometimes dark and bloody history to feel normal.

It erases hard stories that need to be told

Some books are really hard to read. Maus, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, The Giver, 1984, Handmaid’s Tale. None of those books made me feel good.

Several of them made me feel seen. Most of them made me see the world in a way I hadn’t before, and understand better burdens that weren’t mine. All of them taught me something.

Yes, some books are hard. Yes, some books talk about stuff we don’t want to hear about. Sometimes those are the books we need to read. Because life is hard. Life is scary in ways we don’t all understand.

But if we want to change the world, if we want to make it less scary and more bright, we start by understanding. We start by seeing the shadows.

Don’t stop the fight just because Banned Books Week is done. Because the people who want to fight for censorship sure aren’t stopping.

So, what are you reading?

If you love this content and want to support Paper Beats World, you can do so on Ko-fi.

And if you’re looking for new books to add to your Fall reading list, don’t forget that Starting Chains is coming out on October 4. Broken Patterns is already available on Amazon.

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The top ten most banned books of 2023

Every year I post the top ten banned books of the year before. I think it’s important to make sure we’re keeping an eye on the books that are most often victims of censorship.

I am sad to say that there’s not a lot of shakeup in this list. We’ll see some similar titles here that we’ve seen in years past. And even worse, most of these books were banned for the same damn reason they always are. But you’ll see what I mean.

As always, this information comes from the American Library Association. You can check their whole list, and their very informational website, here.

10. Sold by Patricia McCormick

Banned for sexual content and rape.

9. Let’s Talk About It: The Teen’s Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan

Banned for sexual content and sex education

8. Tricks by Ellen Hopkins

Banned for sexual content, drugs, rape and LGBTQIA+ content.

7. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

Banned for sexual content and profanity

6. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

Banned for discussions of rape and incest.

5. Flamer by Mike Curato

Banned for LGTBQIA+ content

4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Banned for sexually explicit content, LGBTQIA+ content, rape, drugs and profanity.

3. This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson

Banned for LGBTQIA+ content and sex education.

2. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson

Banned for LGBTQIA+ content.

1. Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe

Banned for LGBTQIA+ content.

I’m sure you could sense the theme. These bans send a shocking, clear, and horrific message. Some people want to force LGBTQ+ people out of schools. Out of public libraries. Out of society entirely, if they can.

I’m also shocked and appalled by the amount of books on this list that are banned exclusively because they provide sex education. Or the ones that are banned for talking about rape.

We need to talk about it. We need to give people the words and information they need to advocate for themselves. To protect themselves. To stand up for themselves.

By looking at what books are banned, we can see the agenda of the people who ban them. So go read a banned book today. And let me know what you’re reading in the comments below.

If you love this content and want to support Paper Beats World, you can do so on Ko-fi.

And if you’re looking for new books to add to your Fall reading list, don’t forget that Starting Chains is coming out on October 4. Broken Patterns is already available on Amazon.

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What to do for Banned Books Week 2024

It’s Banned Books Week. Well, it’s actually day three of Banned Books Week. And I have some things to say.

Throughout writing this blog, for ten years now, I’ve always celebrated Banned Books Week. And for a long time, that’s what it was. A celebration of how far we’d come in the fight against censorship.

Maybe it was a celebration then. Maybe I was just naive. But it’s not a celebration of how far we’ve come anymore. It’s a staunch call to arms. We aren’t going forward anymore. We’re going backward at a dizzying speed.

The opposition is organized. They claim they’re protecting children, so their cause must be a holy one.

They are full of shit.

Organizations like Moms for Liberty, and politicians like Ron Desantis do not care about protecting children. If they cared about that, they’d be working towards gun reform. They’d be working against police violence. They’d work against incarcerating parents for minor drug charges. They’d work for a broader social safety net, free school lunches, well-funded after-school programs, affordable or free childcare, and healthcare for families with children. The list of worthy causes goes on and on. People who care about the protection and well-being of children put their efforts there.

Instead, book banners threaten teachers and librarians over books like All Boys Aren’t Blue and Marlin Bundo.

These people are loud, they are aggressive, and we need a strong defense against them. We need to be the strong defense against them. Because books save lives. Books help marginalized people feel seen. Books give us glimpses into worlds we don’t live in, paths we don’t walk, and lives we do not experience. We need books to help people see the world outside of their own experience. And that, of course, is why books are banned.

Do not let these loud people fool you. They are only interested in keeping the world the way they want to see it. In specific, binary black and white. Or pink and blue, if you prefer.

So what do we do? Well, of course, I have some suggestions.

Get educated

The American Library Association is a great place to start. You can find info about books most often banned, who is doing it and what is going through.

But you can also visit your local library. Go to board meetings and public discussion groups if you can. Know what’s going on.

And know what’s going on locally. Look, I know it’s an election year and we are all so damn sick of politics. But your local politics is way more important than what most people realize. Your local representatives are going to have a far greater impact on your life than you realize. Especially now, they might decide whether you can access healthcare or read queer books. Know who they are and what they stand for.

Register to vote

Make sure you’re voting, not just in presidential elections but in local ones. Here’s a link to register if you haven’t done it yet.

Read banned books

Get them from the library. Post about them on Bookstagram and Goodreads. Get other people interested. Assume that if a book is being banned, it’s one you should read. Be the resistance. Read the resistance.

Buy banned books (if you can)

This one might be a big ask. Money sucks. But if you can, consider buying books that are banned. I’ve bought like ten copies of Marlin Bundo for friends of mine with little ones.

Write books that are worthy of being banned

Finally, don’t censor yourself when writing. Especially if you are part of a marginalized community. Write difficult characters who are experiencing pain that you understand. Write the hard stuff. Write the confusing stuff. Write things that would piss people off. Write the truth.

Always write the truth.

I can’t wait to see what you’re doing for Banned Books Week. Please let me know what you’re reading, and writing, in the comments below.

If you love this content and want to support Paper Beats World, you can do so on Ko-fi.

And if you’re looking for new books to add to your Fall reading list, don’t forget that Starting Chains is coming out on October 4. Broken Patterns is already available on Amazon.

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My 2024 Fall reading list

Fall will be with us officially on Sunday. Banned Books Week also starts on Sunday. So it seems like a good time to sit down with a scented candle, a good cup of something warm and write out a reading list for the Fall season.

While I am unsure if any of these books are on the official banned book list, I feel comfortable saying they would almost all be banned in Florida schools. So we’re rolling with that.

This list is not full of new books, but all but one are new to me. Some are fiction, some are nonfiction. All have caught my eye. Rather than suggesting that you read every book on this list, I’d like to invite you to make your own Fall reading list. And please, as always, share it with us in the comments.

Happy Fall reading.

Fairy Tale by Stephen King

This one’s been on my list for a while. When I found it at random on the library shelf, I took that as a sign to grab it. It’s the story of a boy and his dog discovering a magical and dark world in their shed. There’s nothing to dislike there.

Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury

I read this every Halloween. It’s a fantastic blend of poetic writing and history. If you haven’t read it, consider this your sign to read it this year. And if you have littles, read it aloud to them. It’s a magical time.

William by Mason Coile

This is a new novel about an AI smart house that, as always, turns evil. I love stories like this. And it is an example of an old story told in a new way. At l—at, I think it’ll be a great example. I haven’t read it yet.

We Used To Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

I should say I plan to read this if I can get my hands on it. I’m currently fifteenth in line for this book at my local library. It’s been all over Instagram, and people are not shutting up about it. And as it is a haunted house story, I had to read it.

Writing on Empty by Natalie Goldberg

I’m still playing catch-up with Goldberg’s work. I forget sometimes that people continue to live and do things when I’m not looking at them. But Writing on Empty should be fascinating, as it’s one of my favorite writers struggling with something I don’t believe in, writer’s block. Let’s see if she changes my mind on this. If anyone can, she can.

We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix

I think this is about a rock star who sold her soul for musical talent. I know it’s by Grady Hendrix and I’ve yet to find a book of his that I didn’t simply devour. He’s become an instant buy (or borrow) author for me.

Lucy Undying by Kiersten White

This is the story of Lucy, one of Dracula’s first victims. And if it’s anything like the other works by White, I cannot wait to start reading it.

Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall

Feminism has never been as intersectional as we’d like it to be. Part of fixing that is educating myself. I’m also fascinated by women who do daring things. So this one should be a great read.

Sisters in Hate by Darby Seyward

It’s not just men who hold up these damaging alt-right beliefs that are so damaging to our country and communities. I want to hear the stories of the women who align themselves with these horrific ideologies. Maybe if I can hear their stories, I can understand how to help them write better ones.

We’ll Prescribe You A Cat by Syou Ishida and translated by E. Madison Shimoda

I am entranced by the premise of this story. People in emotional and physical need are given cats. These cats proceed to change their lives.

I’m writing this post with the cat who has brought so much brightness into my life on my lap right now. I plan to read this one with her stationed squarely on my stomach.

The Hygge Witch Handbook by Courtney Hope

Oh, you didn’t think I was going to get through this whole list without adding one witchcraft book, did you?

Hearth witchcraft is not exactly the core of my practice, but it’s a big part of it. And I’ve been practicing hygge for years. The concept of slowing down, savoring life and embracing little joys is essential for living joyfully in a world full of darkness. I am very excited to learn about incorporating hygge into my witchy homemaking practices.

Will I get to all of these books? I dearly hope so. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram to check in with me.

And if you’re looking for new books to add to your Fall reading list, don’t forget that Starting Chains is coming out on October 4. Broken Patterns is already available on Amazon.

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My favorite banned books and why everyone should read them

Banned Books Week is winding down. But frankly, I don’t think it should. With all the attacks on literacy this year, I think we should keep right on celebrating banned books.

So today I want to share with you my ten favorite banned books. Some of them are fun, some are heavy. Some I was blessed to be taught about in school. Some I only discovered because of events like Banned Books Week.

None of them should be banned.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

The absolute irony of banning a book about people controlling the thoughts and actions of their citizens is not lost on me.

I talk about The Giver all the time. Everyone should read it. There are so many lessons here about valuing people for more than just their productivity, for championing individuality, and for bulking authority.

I wonder why some people don’t want us to read that.

1984 by George Orwell

1984 is, in my opinion, the next step up from The Giver in terms of anti-conformity, anti-government overreach, and overall pro-individual life choices. It has many of the same themes as The Giver, with some frightening additions. Our main character writes news reports and masterfully lies to the people. If the ration of chocolate is being cut, he’ll write about the great increase in the chocolate rations.

Then, of course, there are the rats.

Maus by Art Spiegelman

If you never thought you could get emotionally broken by a comic, you will know better after reading Maus.

Maus is a messy, dark, horrific tale of the Holocaust, told with cartoon mice and cats and pigs. In it, the author tells the story of his family and friends during one of the most horrific events in history. And it pulls no goddamned punches.

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

This is my favorite book. This is why we named our cat Harper. When Harper Lee died, I cried in public.

I was taught To Kill A Mockingbird in school. It was a dark story of false accusations, horrific racism, and the penalties for standing up for what’s right. This book has given me courage during some dark times in my life.

This is the great thing about dark books. They can give us strength during hard times.

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

I wonder why some people don’t want us to read this.

Just on the off chance you haven’t read this book or seen the show inspired by it, this is a dark tale of a dystopian future in which birth rates have plummeted.

But of course, people with money and power will not be denied anything they want. Even if it means enslaving women and forcing them to have sex and carry babies against their will.

This felt a lot less realistic before last year. Did you know women needed their husband’s permission to have a credit card before 1974?

1974.

Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling

Yes, Rowling is a problem. And I’m not gonna defend her. I’m gonna defend trans women and men.

Yes, these books have a host of issues. Yes, they’re still fun to read. And the reason they were banned was not because of the author’s opinions of womanhood, or the cringy way she named characters of other nationalities.

These books were banned because they contained magic. Gee, wonder why that might piss me off. It’s not even real witchcraft. Censoring magic in a child’s life is just never going to make sense to me.

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

It really is amazing how many dystopian future books about all-powerful and abusive governments get banned.

Hunger Games is a great series. It has a lot of dark things to say about how media is used to manipulate and control us. Which is something we all need to be more aware of.

Have you ever wondered, for instance, why there are so many cop shows?

Bone by Jeff Smith

Unlike the rest of the books on this list, Bone is not heavy. Well, the copy I have is physically heavy because it’s the whole damn run in one hulking volume.

But this is not a massively deep tale or one with problematic undertones. It’s just a cute adventure story about a little bone and a warrior princess.

I honestly am not sure why Bone was banned. I suppose there’s some drinking, some suggestive situations. But it’s nothing serious.

And if you’re going to read the other books on this list, you could probably use something a bit lighter afterward.

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Reading the work of Maya Angelou always makes me feel like I’m sitting in the room with her, listening to her talking just to me.

This first book begins the tale of her life, which has been a fascinating and difficult one. It tells of her childhood, living with her grandmother, father, and mother. It tells of her childhood and teenage triumphs and the horrible tales of her abuses.

If you’ve never read I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, read it now. It is astonishing.

A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss

I have purchased copies of this book for every friend of mine who has a small child. Let it never be said that spite can’t create something beautiful.

This is the story of a bunny named Marlon Bundo, who happens to belong to Former VP Mike Pence. Marlon is gay and has a beautiful relationship with another boy bunny.

It’s cute, sweet, and a great book to explain LGBTQ+ to little kids. And that’s something we could use more of.

So that’s it for today. I see no reason to stop reading banned books just because Banned Books Week is over. And I’d love to hear from you in the comments. What is your favorite banned book?

Don’t forget, we’re officially in Preptober! You can get my Pretober Planner right now on my ko-fi shop.

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Why would Woven be banned?

Books are banned for some pretty ridiculous reasons. But I’m proud to say that all of my books probably could be banned. 

At least, they share many of the same traits and themes seen in commonly banned books. This is something I’m quite proud of. 

(Also, check out the Banned Books website for information and resources.)

Today I want to talk about my first series, Woven. 

No matter how many books I write, this will always be my first baby. So let’s talk about why it would totally be banned.

Homosexual activity

This is one that always trips up books. Especially young adult books. And yes, shockingly, there are gay characters in Woven. There’s even gay marriage in the first book, Broken Patterns.

I didn’t do this because I want Ally points or to be woke. I wrote gay characters, and a battle for gay rights, into my book because it’s something I’ve experienced in my life. The LGBTQ+ struggle is one Millenials have experienced since we were children. Of course, I’m going to write about it. 

Discussion of mental illness

In the second book of Woven, the main character Lenore is struggling with depression. 

I’ve struggled with anxiety. People I love deal with depression. Mental illness is a real problem and we need to be more open about it. So, when I was writing about Lenore, I wanted to write about something I was going through. I wanted to write not just about suffering from depression, but about being the partner of someone who is suffering.

Discussions of rape and abuse

I’m kind of shocked when people are surprised that bad guys in books are, ya know, bad. But Calvin, who’s the antagonist for much of the Woven series, is a bad guy. He raped people. He beat the hell out of people. He is not a good person. 

That’s made most clear, I think, in the prequel book Falling From Grace. 

We cannot be afraid to write bad guys as bad. Even Magneto, the most understandable bad guy of all time, has done horrific things. 

I’m not saying I wrote a snuff scene here. I’m saying that the antagonist in my books does bad things.

So, my fellow writers, it’s your turn. Why would your book be banned? Let us know in the comments. And please, provide links to your potentially banned books. 

Getting ready for Preptober? I have a planner for you! Check it out now on my Ko-fi store. 

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Banned Books Week, 2020

Warning: This post gets a little inappropriate. I’m going to say some words like vagina and fuck. You’ve been warned. 

It’s that time again, my favorite bookish holiday of the year. Banned Books week!

I love this yearly reminder that we’ve got to fight for our right to freedom of expression. No surprise, it’s sort of a big deal. I like to write and read about difficult topics. Maybe you do too. Maybe you don’t, but you still think other people should be able to. Maybe you also just think books get banned for really stupid reasons and you’re just not down for censorship. 

#fuckcensorship.

All that being said, let’s get into the good stuff. Here’s the list of the top ten most banned books from 2019. This information is from the website ALA.org. If you can, please check them out and help out with a donation. 

Ten-And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, illustrated by Henry Cole

Banned for LGBTQIA+. When are we going to stop doing this?

Nine-Harry Potter by JK. Rowling

Banned due to magic and witchcraft, for containing actual curses and spells and for characters using ‘nefarious means’ to obtain goals. 

Really? Actual spells. Someone tried to come at this discussion by stating that Harry Potter has actual spells. Let me assure you, it doesn’t. What in the actual hell are these people thinking? Having known quite a few witches and Wiccans in my life and being honored to call them friends, I promise none of them are whipping up Polyjuice Potion. It’s more like, “Let’s put some herbs on this candle and light it, then pray that your grandma gets over that bad head cold. But also, here’s some cold medicine.”

Oh look, I just gave you a real spell! Scandalous! 

Eight-Drama by Raina Telgemeier

Banned for  LGBTQIA+. 

Seven-The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

Banned for profanity, vulgarity and sexual overtones. 

Allegedly. I think it’s banned for putting wild ideas like freedom in people’s heads. This isn’t a good book for people who want to, I don’t know, run for a third term (fourth, fifth), suspend rights to peacefully protest, strip people of their right to vote and you know, ban books.

Six-I am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, Illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas

Banned for sexual content and matter that is sensitive, controversial and politically charged. 

Wouldn’t it be nice if we taught kids how to have a conversation about difficult topics? Just a thought. Seems like having a book as a jumping-off point would be a great tool.

But what do I know?

Five-Prince and Knight by Daniel Haack, illustrated by Stevie Lewis

Banned for, and I’m paraphrasing here, making it seem like being gay is, you know, okay. 

Four-Sex is a funny word by Cory Silverberg, Illustrated by Fiona Smyth

You know what, it is a funny word. I mean, I guess every word is funny when you think about it. Fork, pickle, card, typewriter. How do we decide these things?

Anyway, this book was banned for sexual content, LGBTQIA+ content and discussing sex education.

Our country needs sex education. Honest to goodness, there are some men who still thing women pee from their vagina. I don’t want to draw a diagram here, folks.

Three-A day in the life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss, illustrated by EG Keller

Please understand that this is a book for little kids. It’s a picture book. I bought a copy for my friend’s little son. It’s a cute story about a cute bunny who happens to be gay.

But of course, that’s not okay. Why let kids know it’s okay to be who they are? Or that there might be people who are gay, and that’s okay.

Maybe we’d prefer to let people continue to force themselves into molds they were never built to fit in, then sit around and wonder why they’re breaking.

Two- Beyond Magenta: Transgender teens speak out by Susan Kuklin

Banned for its effect on any young people who would read it. What, are they afraid it would give them wild ideas about not judging people based on their gender or sex? 

One-George by Alex Gino

This one made me laugh. It’s also banned for LGBTQIA+ material. But there’s a quote here. I don’t know who said it but I wish I did. 

“Libraries should not put books in a child’s hand that require discussion.” 

Well, what the fuck do we have libraries for, then? I was pretty sure that a book was supposed to require discussion. What was the last book you read that didn’t make you ask questions? I bet it was a boring one. 

I’ll leave you now with my banned book choice of the year. This year I’m reading The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood. What are you reading for banned book week? Let us know in the comments below.

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