To read, or not to read? To ban a book that holds a controversial topic from those who it might hurt, or to let others read what they want, when they want? A banned book is “one that has been removed from the shelves of a library, bookstore, or classroom because of its controversial content”. While society has taken less abrasive measures over challenging or banning books, in the past, and still practiced in certain districts today, controversial books were “burned and/or refused publication” (ThoughtCo).

Unlike many controversial topics, the arguers cannot be split into just pro-banned books and anti-banned books. There is a spectrum of arguments over banned books, with certain voice arguing over no banning, banning certain topics, or letting people pick and choose within family circles what should be read. Some of loudest voices in the argument are the American Library Association, concerned parents, and authors themselves. These three arguers represent main points of the spectrum of banned books.

There are many reasonings behind why someone, whether a parent, a school district, or even an entire county, would ban a book. These reasons can be organized into eight broad categories, as listed by Butler University: racial issues (Huckleberry Finn with the n-word), encouragement of damaging lifestyles (Light in the Attic with breaking household items), Blasphemous dialogue (Bridge to Terabithia with one of the main characters saying goddammit), sexual situations/dialogue (Looking for Alaska with sex scenes), violence/negativity (Hunger Games with said tournament), witchcraft (Harry Potter with the worldbuilding), political bias (Inherit the Wind with the Scopes v Monkey trial), or it is labeled for an age group that should not be reading about the heavy topics listed prior (The Giver with being in middle and elementary school libraries). (Butler University). While these books have been challenged and sometimes banned, there are organizations fights against banning books while teaching others the consequences of banning.

The American Library Association (ALA) is an organization that promotes libraries and library education. The ALA’s goal in the banning book discussion is “to provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all” and in the situation of banning books, for any reason, fights back against their mission statement. The ALA wants to educate the masses, mainly children and those who cannot access information easily, and if the home/school will not teach those who need education, libraries will fill in what is left out. While libraries hold a position of power within the city and government, many children still have to follow an even greater power: their parents.

While their position of power is smaller compared to ALA, parents all across the world voice their concerns over what their child should or should not read.  One parent, Jenni White, on an education board argues, “School officials didn’t have an interest in standing for children’s innocence. In fact, the only reason their children were able to choose other books from the reading list was their significant pushback against the administration. Although it’s unpleasant, unpopular, and decidedly ‘unfun’, parents must cautiously review all reading materials coming home from school and be prepared to fight for something better on their behalf if necessary” (Federalist).  While the parent’s viewpoint on the topic is not the absolute extreme of the banning books argument, she wants to make sure that his children are not exposed to sensitive information too early in their lives.

Another administrator, Mark Hemingway, describes his opinion on what banning books looks like: “Your local community has simply decided that finite public resources are not going to be spent disseminating them. Judgments are made all the time about what goes on shelves for both practical and moral reasons. This is not book banning” (Federalist). Mark Hemingway makes the connection that the school districts already pick and choose what books goes on their shelves, sometimes varying by library. Why is that not called book banning, yet when a parents speaks up over what books their child has to read in a school curriculum is deemed worse? While librarians and parents are typically the arguers that often shed their opinions on the topic, there have been instances when authors themselves   weigh in on banned books.

An opinion that typically is outspoken by other contenders is an author’s point of view on the subject matter. John Green, author of The Faults in Our Stars, states an opinion that is on the neutral side of the conversation. In his vlog video post not long after his first book Looking for Alaska was published, he informed his viewers “The high school administrators and english teachers got together and they wrote a letter, saying ‘we’re going to teach this book. . .if you’re okay with your kid being taught this book, please sign this permission slip, otherwise the kid will read another book.’ So parents who are cool with having their kid read Alaska will read Alaska, and parents who aren’t cool with it get to have their kid read some other book”. The tone he uses describes that he, as an author, is okay for teachers to warn parents of the potentially triggering book their children are about to read, and give them a fair chance and warning in case they think differently. He does not condone people who read only the passage in question and blindly try to ban the book from the school district.

In another video, posted in 2016, he reiterates his position as an author, “I don’t think it should be up to me whether Looking for Alaska, or actually any book is in a school or a library. Because I am not a teacher or a librarian” (John Green). Even though he is the author of the book, John Green realizes that his opinion no longer matters once the book enters a library. He should not have power over what kids read, only the kid and their school officials, not their parents.

While there are clear extremes on the topic if whether or not books should be banned, the entire argument spans over spectrum a opinions from librarians, parents, and authors, each ranging in between the two extremes. There are many reasons to either ban books, or keep them on the shelves. Each side of the spectrum has valid reasons as to why they believe they are right. If there was any chance to reach a compromise to the discussion, whether to ban books or not within the level of children and young adults, it should be up to the reader.

Works Cited

“About the American Library Association.” About ALA, ALA, 2019, http://www.ala.org/aboutala/.

Admin. “Top Ten Most Challenged Books Lists.” Advocacy, Legislation & Issues, ALA, 27 Dec. 2018, http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10#2017.

Admin. “Frequently Challenged Books.” Advocacy, Legislation & Issues, 9 July 2018, http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks.

“Banned Books Wanted Posters.” Alexandria Library Automation Software, 14 Sept. 2018, http://www.goalexandria.com/banned-books-wanted-posters/.

Culture. “In Defense of Book Banning.” The Federalist, FDRLST Media, 20 Mar. 2014, thefederalist.com/2014/03/11/in-defense-of-book-banning/.

“LibGuides: Banned Books: Reasons for Banning Books.” Reasons for Banning Books – Banned Books – LibGuides at Butler University, Butler University, 15 Sept. 2017, libguides.butler.edu/bannedbooks?p=217686.

vlogbrothers. YouTube, YouTube, 30 Jan. 2008, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHMPtYvZ8tM&t=5s.

White, Jenni. “Parents Shouldn’t Let Schools Force Kids To Read Smut.” The Federalist, FDRLST Media, 17 Mar. 2016, thefederalist.com/2016/03/15/parents-shouldnt-let-schools-force-kids-to-read-smut/.