How
to use this guide...
is Banned Books Week?
What
The purpose of this guide is to
help teens understand what Banned Books Week is, why it exists, and how they can celebrate their freedom to read. Scroll through, or use the menu at the top to find out more using resources both inside and outside of our library. Discover ways to stand up against censorship, and
HAVE A VOICE AT YOUR LIBRARY!
Banned Books Week usually occurs during the last week of September. It is held to bring attention to current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. Overall, it is a celebration of our freedom to read while reminding us of the dangers of censorship. Books have always and will continue to be challenged and banned, and Banned Books Week will continue to bring awareness and remind us of the importance of reading banned books! This year's Banned Books Week takes place on September 18-24 Find out more about Banned Books Week 2022 through the "Books Unite Us" graphic below.
October
1-7, 2023
“Banning books is just another form of bullying. It's all about fear and an assumption of power.”
James Howe
“Censorship is the child of fear and the father of ignorance.”
Laurie Halse Anderson
“There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them.”
Joseph Brodsky
“When truth is replaced by silence, the silence is a lie.”
Yevgeny Yevtushenko
on the shelves can I find resources on censorship?
Where
The Duncan Public Library uses the Dewey Decimal System
(click here for a quick guide on the Dewey Decimal System)
​
Since Banned Books Week brings attention to the banning of books, a form of censorship, those who wish to explore the shelves can look in the 363.31s for books on this topic. The 809s concerns the history and criticism of literature and may also have information on banned and challenged titles. Click the book with the call numbers to search the library's catalog.
Resources
References
Each reference item has a book cover that serves as a link to DPL's catalog or virtual library listing, a spine label example with the call number of the book, and the shelf location and search terms are listed beneath. An annotated bibliography is also provided.
YA 363.31 CEN
SHELF LOCATION:
2nd Floor YA Non-Fiction SEARCH TERMS:
Censorship
Burns, K. (Ed.). (2014). Censorship. Sagebrush.
Part of the Contemporary Issues
companion series, this book details the history of censorship using scholarly articles and primary documents.
YA 363.31
LAI
eBOOK:
Downloadable through Hoopla
SEARCH TERMS:
Banned Books, Censorship
Laine, C. (2017). Book banning and other forms
of censorship. Abdo Publishing.​
Explores the attempts of government and other groups to censor literature and other print. Written for juveniles and includes a glossary and index.
YA 363.31
BAN
eBOOK:
Downloadable through Hoopla
SEARCH TERMS:
Banned Books, Censorship
Lusted, M. A. (Ed.). (2017). Banned books.
Greenhaven.​
Compilation of writings detailing the issue of banning and attempting to ban books from various perspectives. Self-censorship by librarians, library filters and the effects of technology on the efficacy of ban attempts are also discussed.
809
NAF
SHELF LOCATION:
1st Floor; New Non-Fiction SEARCH TERMS:
Literature, Censorship
Nafisi, A. (2022). Read dangerously: The
subversive power of literature in troubled times. Dey Street Books.
This book details the importance of literature in fostering the ability to think for oneself. This is more a guide to books that encourage a resistance to the powers who wish to censor, which are some of the same books that are being banned.
Journals
The following are Journals that exist specifically for the purpose of spreading awareness and taking a stand against censorship and book banning.
This is the new, official journal for the Office of Intellectual Freedom (OIF) which is an office of the American Library Association (ALA) specific to handling the challenges of books and in defense of libraries.​
Previous OIF publication. This is a link to the archive that provides full PDFs dating back to May of 2002.
Databases
These are databases that you have access to using your Duncan Public Library card number and 4-digit PIN. After logging into your account on our website, you can find these under Databases then Educational Databases. You can also click on the graphics below.
With Ebsco, you are able to search through various databases to find articles and published materials regarding Banned Books and Censorship. SEARCH TIPS: Select the databases relevant to your search. Suggested ones for this topic would be Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts, and Book Collection Nonfiction for Elementary, High School, and Middle School SEARCH TERMS: "Banned Books" "Censorship" AND "Literature"
Gale Virtual Reference is a database of Ebooks you can access for free. While there aren't many books available, Gale databases has a Topic Finder feature that can help you find exactly what you are wanting to look for within the broader topic of "Banned Books." Books are separated into chapters that are listed as articles, making narrow topics easier to find. SEARCH TIPS AND TERMS: "Banned Books" Use the Topic Finder after you search to see other closely related or connected concepts
Book List
The following titles are the top ten most challenged or banned titles of 2022. Reasons given for the challenges to these titles have been provided, but all labels are subjective. Books that provide honest depictions of the lives of people can be hard to read, but should not be dismissed.
Gender Queer
REASONS FOR CHALLENGES
-
LGBTQIA+ Content
-
Sexually Explicit Claims
eBook
by Kobabe, Maia
All Boys Aren't Blue
REASONS FOR CHALLENGES
-
LGBTQIA+ Content
-
Sexually Explicit Claims
YA 306.7 JOH
by Johnson, George M.
The Bluest Eye
REASONS FOR CHALLENGES
-
Child Sexual Abuse
-
Sexually Explicit Claims
-
EDI Content
FIC MOR
by Morrison, Toni
Flamer
REASONS FOR CHALLENGES
-
LGBTQIA+ Content
-
Sexually Explicit
YA GRAPHIC NOVEL CUR
by Curato, Mike
Looking For Alaska
REASONS FOR CHALLENGES
-
LGBTQIA+ Content
-
Sexually Explicit
YA FIC GRE
by Green, John
Lawn Boy
REASONS FOR CHALLENGES
-
LGBTQIA+ Content
-
Sexually Explicit
YA FIC EVI
by Evison, Jonathan
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
REASONS FOR CHALLENGES
-
LGBTQIA+ Content
-
Sexually Explicit
-
Sexual Abuse, Drugs, & Profanity
YA FIC GRE
by Chbosky, Stephen
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
by Alexi, Sherman
YA FIC ALE
REASONS FOR CHALLENGES
-
Profane & Sexual Terms
-
Derogatory Terms
Out of Darkness
REASONS FOR CHALLENGES​
-
Sexually Explicit
YA FIC PER
by Perez, Ashley Hope
Beyond Magenta
by Sudan Kuklin
eBook
REASONS FOR CHALLENGES
-
LGBTQIA+ Content
-
Sexual Education
This Book is Gay
by Dawson, Juno
eBook
REASONS FOR CHALLENGES
-
LGBTQIA+ Content
-
Sexual Education
Online
There are a lot of resources online that not only explain the need for Banned Books Week, but also help to take a stand against Censorship. Listen to the authors speak, track the challenges being made, and learn about ways to use your voice to speak out against censorship!
Maintained by the ALA and OIF, this is the official page for Banned Books Week. Here you will learn about the theme for the year, access the featured guests and be updated about all the events taking place on that week.
ALA's page devoted to library advocacy has a page specific to the problem of censorship and book banning. This website is where the top ten challenged, banned, and relocated books of the year are listed. Read the blog. Report the censorship.
The National Coalition Against Censorship consists of 50 nonprofit organizations dedicated to opposing censorship. It supports students, teachers, librarians, authors, and artists
For resources specific to youth, go to the "WHAT WE DO" heading, and click on "YOUTH FREE EXPRESSION PROGRAM"
How to start your own Banned Book Club!
Step-by-step guide for creating a teen book club devoted to banned books from our friends at Book Riot.
For teens 13-21, get a Brooklyn Public Library card free in order to access books that may have been removed from your library or made inaccessible to you!
Comic Books Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the world of comics and graphic novels from the attack of censorship
The latest articles concerning Book Banning will appear in the feed below. This is automated and may include articles behind paywalls.
RSS Feed
Other Resources
These are downloadable PDFs of the Kid's Right to Read Action Kit that the NCAC provides on its website and the Celebrate Banned Books Week Handbook. The tool kit is for use by all in an educational setting (students, parents, and teachers) to fight back against censorship in their schools.