Banned books seem to be everywhere. While some might claim that they are "protecting children" by challenging or banning books from schools, libraries, and other public places, what they are really doing is a form of censorship.
With thousands of books seemingly being challenged or banned every year, it makes sense that we would want to potentially discuss some required reading. After all, if you are going to ban a book, you should have to read it first. You should be able to fully explain what is wrong with a story before you can even attempt to challenge it.
Beyond the idea of people who are attempting to ban books from reading them, there are plenty of us who may not have read some of the books being challenged/banned. There are so many books on these lists that it is impossible to read them all. So if you are looking for some banned reading, we have you covered with some suggestions of our own.
And if you want an idea of what books have been challenged or banned consistently since 2010, check out the list from the ALA.
So what are some banned books that we highly recommend you read for yourself?
7 banned books we recommend that everyone should read
Sold by Patricia McCormick
This book was published in 2006 and it is a fictional story based on real things that have happened and continue to happen every day. Sold is about human trafficking. It is a brutal look at what real people face every single day. And while it might be "explicit" reading (which is one of the reasons for it being on a banned book list), it is necessary! People should understand the horrors of trafficking and what happens to these women and children.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
If you haven't read To Kill a Mockingbird, the real question is how is that possible? This was required reading in high school when I was in school. While this is told as a coming-of-age story with an emphasis on one's moral compass and having a crisis of conscience, it is truly a story about small-town prejudices and racism. This book was published in 1960, but it is still true to life today.
A Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
A Brave New World is a look at how technology can be harmful to society. And considering how many times we have seen issues with people relying on technology over human common sense, it makes sense that people might want to try to keep this type of story out of the hands of people who might agree that too much reliance on technology might not be good for our long term health.
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Any time you can read about a life post-slavery, I think it should be required reading. People need to understand not only the horror of slavery but also how hard life was in a post-slavery world. After all, just because something was abolished does not mean that things have gotten better immediately. Beloved is that type of story, but with the additional message of the importance of being your own hero and loving yourself when no one else does.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
This is a book that is controversial due to some of the darker themes in the story. And while I get it, tragedy is a part of life. This is not meant to be a story with a happy ending, because, for so many people living in poverty, there is no happy ending, but rather finding the happy moments in life. This is a story about how the American dream is not always achievable, while also centering on friendship, our obligations to the people we love, and even how hard it can be to find a place in the world, especially when you have a disability.
Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
How anyone could ban this book is beyond me. This is a story of how everyone should be allowed their freedom to live. And yet we all know how this story ended. It is a tragedy, but the lead-up to the tragedy is told in a way that showcases just how people were victimized by a group of people with hate in their hearts. You shouldn't be able to ban a book because it makes you uncomfortable and yet, here we are.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
I guess when you ban books, you want to ban a book about banning books. It makes sense (I guess). This is a story that reminds us that books and free speech are important. Living our best lives is about being able to freely express ourselves and we need to appreciate the lives we have and the world around us. It is also a reminder that books are powerful.
Banning books is not the way to "protect the children." Instead, we should be actively teaching people why these books are important and even pointing out when things are wrong. That's the point of education and free speech.
Have you read these banned books? Which banned books are on your must-read list?