Book banning has a long history in the United States, with works like Uncle Tom’s Cabin being banned as early as the 1850s for its messages regarding abolitionism6. This trend has continued over the years, with an exponential increase since 2020. According to the free speech advocacy group, PEN America, book bans roughly tripled in the 2023-2024 school year10. Pennsylvania is one of several states in the United States with a high number of book bans, with many titles banned or under review for potential removal as the list grows each year. Many of these books are written by authors from historically underrepresented groups and address important topics such as race and identity4. While the specific books banned vary by school district, restricting access to stories from diverse communities can unintentionally limit opportunities for readers to connect with different perspectives7.
Below are examples of books that have been banned or challenged in Pennsylvania, along with a brief description of each3.
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison: This novel follows Pecola, a young Black girl growing up in the 1940s, as she navigates racism and societal beauty standards tied to race8.
All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto by George M. Johnson: A collection of personal essays in which Johnson shares his experiences growing up as a queer Black man1.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie: This critically acclaimed novel tells the story of a young Native American boy navigating life on a reservation while attending a predominantly white high school. It is one of the most frequently challenged books under review for potential banning in the U.S.2
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas: Published in 2017, this novel explores the life of Starr Carter, a 16-year-old Black girl balancing her identity between the neighborhood where she lives and the prep school she attends. The book delves into issues of systemic racism and activism9.
Books like these foster understanding, empathy, and connection by amplifying diverse voices and experiences. Despite their value, critics often argue that explicit language, sexual content, or political themes necessitate restricting access to these titles. However, these sentiments overshadow these books’ greater purpose, which is providing readers with insight into different lived experiences and amplifying voices from marginalized communities. Furthermore, banning books may significantly hinder students’ ability to develop critical thinking skills, ultimately impacting their academic performance. One study found that 72 percent of educators indicated that banning books decreased their students’ engagement in reading5. This decline in engagement will not only limit students' exposure to diverse perspectives but also reduce their ability to analyze and question complex ideas–skills essential for academic and personal growth.
Although cities like Philadelphia have faced fewer challenges than other areas in Pennsylvania regarding book bans, it remains important to celebrate and protect the freedom to read. Staying informed and connected through literature ensures that all stories, especially those from marginalized groups, continue to be shared and valued.
Author: Ritika Chamlagai
Medical Student, PCOM
References:
Banned Books: Author George M. Johnson on the need to tell all people's stories (October 2022) NPR. Available at: https://www.npr.org/2022/10/25/1130433140/banned-books-all-boys-arent-blue-george-johnson-lgbtq-ya
Banned Book Review: ‘The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian’ (September 2015) The Horizon. Available at: https://westwoodhorizon.com/2015/09/banned-book-review-the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian/
Blog: Let freedom read: It’s banned Books week! Free Library of Philadelphia. Available at: https://libwww.freelibrary.org/blog/post/5173
Challenging Book Bans: What You Can Do (August, 2023) Education law center. Available at: https://www.elc-pa.org/fighting-book-bans/
Educator Insights On The Conversation Around Banned Books (2023) First Book Research and Insight. Available at: https://firstbook.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023-Banned-Books-Survey-Results.pdf?utm_source=firstbook&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=bannedbooksstudy
History and Present of Banning Books in America (September, 2016) Lit Hub. Available at: https://lithub.com/the-history-and-present-of-banning-books-in-america/
How to observe banned Books Week in Philadelphia (no date) City Cast Philly. Available at: https://philly.citycast.fm/philly-life-hacks/banned-books-week-2023-philadelphia
The Bluest Eye (November 2024) Britanicca. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Bluest-Eye
The Hate U Give. Angie Thomas, Available at: https://angiethomas.com/the-hate-u-give/
US public schools banned over 10K books during 2023-2024 academic year, report say (September, 2024) USA Today. Available at: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/09/24/book-censorship-2024-preliminary-reports/75355464007/
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