Banned Books in American Public Schools

Book banning in American public schools involves removing books from libraries or reading lists due to concerns about content. This issue often pits First Amendment rights against community standards, with debates over themes like LGBTQ issues and race. States like Florida and Tennessee have seen significant challenges, with organizations like the ACLU advocating for free expression. Books like "Gender Queer" and "The Hate U Give" are examples of challenged books. The book reconsideration process aims to balance educational value with community values.

In recent years, the topic of banning books in public schools has become a heated debate in America. School districts nationwide, from New York to Tennessee to Texas, are grappling with decisions about what books should be on library shelves in public schools, especially high schools.

This issue touches on various aspects, including First Amendment rights, LGBTQ themes, and concerns about appropriate content for young people. This article discusses banned books in American public schools.

Banned Books in American Public Schools: A Brief Overview

The practice of book banning in public schools involves removing books from school libraries or reading lists. This often happens when school boards respond to concerns from community members or lawmakers. These people may find certain content in the book to be objectionable.

States like Florida, Missouri, and Tennessee have seen significant book challenges. Organizations like PEN America and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) are actively involved in advocacy. They advocate against such bans, citing concerns over free expression and the rights of students.

Students' First Amendment Rights and Banned Books

The First Amendment guarantees free speech, which extends to the rights of students in public schools. The Supreme Court acknowledged that students can access diverse viewpoints in school libraries. They did this in Board of Education v. Pico (1982). However, balancing these rights with concerns over age-appropriate content and community standards remains a challenge for school officials and school librarians.

Why Are Different Books Banned?

School books are often banned for various reasons. Some deal with sensitive themes like gender identity, depictions of people of color, or LGBTQ issues. These issues are seen in titles like Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe and All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson.

Others are challenged because they address topics like critical race theory, as in Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give. School districts face pressure to align library materials with community values and state laws. Other books may be categorized as graphic novels with explicit sexual content. These books might be banned from school libraries and school curricula altogether.

Banned Books List

Consider the following books banned during the last century. How many have you (or your children) read?

• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou
• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
• Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck
• Forever, by Judy Blume
• The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
• Goosebumps (Series), by R.L. Stine
• The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
• In the Night Kitchen, by Maurice Sendak
• The Stupids (Series), by Harry Allard
• Blubber, by Judy Blume
• The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison
• The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood
• The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton
• To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
• Deenie, by Judy Blume
• Flowers for Algernon, by Daniel Keyes
• Beloved, by Toni Morrison
• Harry Potter (Series), by J.K. Rowling
• Cujo, by Stephen King
• James and the Giant Peach, by Roald Dahl
• Ordinary People, by Judith Guest
• Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
• Sleeping Beauty Trilogy, by A.N. Roquelaure (Anne Rice)
• Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret, by Judy Blume
• Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
• Lord of the Flies, by William Golding
• Native Son, by Richard Wright
• The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline Cooney
• Carrie, by Stephen King
• The Dead Zone, by Stephen King
• The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain
• Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison
• Private Parts, by Howard Stern
• Where's Waldo? by Martin Hanford
• Summer of My German Soldier, by Bette Greene
• Tiger Eyes, by Judy Blume
• Christine, by Stephen King

Book Reconsideration Processes

When a book is challenged, a book reconsideration process is typically initiated. This involves a review by school librarians, school officials, and sometimes, a board of education. The process aims to ensure that decisions about library books are fair and consider the educational value of the materials. They also consider the age of minors accessing them and the community's viewpoints.

Getting Legal Help With Banned Books

Organizations like the ACLU and the Office for Intellectual Freedom offer resources and support for those facing book bans. They provide guidance on legal rights and assist in advocating for the inclusion of diverse books in school libraries. Students, parents, and school libraries can seek help when a book ban infringes on their First Amendment rights.

If you have concerns over book or book bans in your school district, contact an education law attorney today.