What is a banned book?

“Read the books they don’t want you to, that’s where the good stuff is.” - Levar Burton

I’ve recently learned that The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is on the banned book list. I felt some type of way, but wasn’t really sure why. All of my life, I’ve known about banned books but I didn’t actually know what that means. So I did a little research and wanted to share.

Who can ban a book?

A book can be banned from an institution once it has been challenged for various reasons. A title can be banned from a school district but be allowed in another, it all depends on the institution. It is difficult to get a book banned on a larger scale due to the first amendment,

What does challenging a book mean?

According to the First Amendment Museum, “Challenging” a book is the attempt to ban a book from a library, school district, institution, organization, government entity, retailer, or publisher based on its content. Challenges can either result in the book being banned or they can be overturned and the book remains in circulation at the organization.

What does banning a book mean?

If a book is banned from an institution (school, organization, etc.) It cannot be read there. If it is banned from a retailer, it cannot be sold there. However, the ban only applies to that specific place unless the local government has banned it. If the government bans a book it is removed from libraries, school reading lists, etc. 

Can a book be unbanned?

Yes, a challenge or ban can be overturned if the reason for banning is proven wrong. 

What happens if you don’t comply?

Although a banned book may be difficult to find, it is not illegal to read it. Surprisingly, there are some book stores that have “Banned Book” tables. Because a ban in one place does not always mean it’s banned in another, they are able to sell them in that particular store. It even garners the attention of those rebellious readers who want to read them just because they are considered banned. 

Check out Pop Sugar’s 2020 Banned Book List. What title surprised you the most?