Before the onslaught of censorship throughout our country took root over the past several years, Banned Books Week felt like a celebration of something we had overcome. Librarians set up fun displays with books like George Orwell’s “1984” or Judy Blume’s “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” which had been banned or still were in rare cases. As we approach Banned Books Week in this and recent years, it is still timely and relevant. But what began as a sense of existential dread around book banning has transformed into a widespread call to action among many to fight back against censorship. Now is the time to keep up that fight.
In interview after interview that I do for The Reading Culture podcast, authors share with me about the books that changed them. For Elizabeth Acevedo, it was “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros. The book helped to shape Elizabeth’s outlook and voice and gave her some of the courage she needed to put her own work into the world. The thought that a gorgeous, lyrical, realistic book like her debut novel “The Poet X” would then be withheld from students anywhere for any reason is heartbreaking. Like A.S. King said in our conversation, “People are taking away books, which is akin to removing all the fire extinguishers before you blow the place up.”
Books are a salve. They are a reflection of so much—the world as it is and how our kids already are experiencing it- and the world as it could be. They aren’t only mirrors and windows for their readers, but books are also reflections of the authors creating them and a window into their minds. I am a proud board member of We Need Diverse Books, an organization combatting book bans and working to diversify the publishing industry. Thanks to the tireless work of WNDB and other leaders, the number of books written by diverse authors and about diverse kids has grown exponentially. We desperately need to make sure that these visions of the world are available to the next generation, too. Every story deserves a spot on our shelves, from realistic fiction to fantasy to romance. However, recent statistics show that a growing number of books are still being challenged or banned in schools and libraries nationwide. That doesn’t even account for the rampant soft censorship in places taking aim at our dear teachers and librarians.
At Beanstack, we believe every book has value and that reading should be celebrated, not restricted. In honor of Banned Books Week, some of my teammates have shared their personal stories about a book that mattered deeply to them and has also been banned. Join us as we champion the freedom to read and explore the powerful stories that have sparked important conversations in our team members' lives.
Team Recommendations for Banned Books Week
Our team at Beanstack consists of a diverse group of former educators, librarians, avid readers, and supporters. When I asked them to share a banned or challenged book that left a lasting impact, they enthusiastically provided a wealth of meaningful suggestions.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
“The Color Purple by Alice Walker was the second book I read cover to cover (the first was The Women of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor) that featured Black characters. And that wasn’t until college as the reading I was assigned during my high school years’ was highlighted by The Iliad, Shakespeare, Salinger, The Great Gatsby, and The Heart of Darkness. The only creative work I remember reading before college that was written by Black folks were poems from the Harlem Renaissance, including an important and interesting poem (The Incident by Countee Cullen) that used the N-word in a classroom where only three of us were Black. Not only was The Color Purple deeply compelling because it featured people who looked like me and had stories about people I “knew,” but it also showed me how an author could be creative with their point of view and inspired me to pursue a graduate degree in fiction writing.” - Felix
And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
“My daughter Maeve was OBSESSED with penguins when she was really little (and still loves them). We took her to the aquarium in Boston, and she refused to leave the penguins to see anything else. So, she loved this book, and I loved that it was a way to show her how families can look different than ours and that that’s a beautiful thing. It’s so important to us to raise a kid who respects everyone and celebrates differences, and this book was a lovely part of that work early on.” - Kelly H.
13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
“I’m forty-five years old and have always been an avid reader. When I was a teen, there were not a ton of stories for me beyond the trials and tribulations of the Sweet Valley High twins Jessica and Elizabeth and the sordid tales of V.C. Andrews. As I raise my own daughter, I’ve started diving into more middle-grade and young-adult titles. Recently I read 13 Reasons Why, a powerful and essential book that addresses difficult topics with both honesty and compassion. It’s the type of story I lacked as a teen, a relatable and authentic look at issues like mental health, bullying, and the profound impact our actions can have on others—something young people often don’t fully grasp. The story doesn’t preach or condescend; instead, it unfolds in a way that could happen in any school or town. And sadly, looking back, happened in my own. Access to books like this is vital. They can nurture empathy and understanding and spark important conversations. And if you (or someone you love) relate to the character Hannah, you’ll know you are not alone.” - Meghan
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. by Judy Blume
“I read Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, so many times in fifth and sixth grade! I can remember sitting with a group of friends in the library, all reading and talking about the book together. It opened up conversations about how we were changing and let us know it was all a normal part of growing up.” - Kelly W.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
My husband, son, and I read “The Hate U Give” as an informal family book club with our then middle-grade son. The main character, a high school student named Starr, is lovable and real; we could feel her struggle in the book’s movement through the different worlds in which Starr lives, including her Black neighborhood and her mostly White private school. As a Black man, my husband connected with the quiet complexities of the characters Maverick and Uncle Carlos. We especially appreciated how this fictional story gave us a vehicle for discussing heavy, real-world topics, such as police brutality and speaking out. Also, Starr’s personal journey to question and redefine complicated (and, in some cases, unhealthy) friendships led us to conversations about what healthy friendships should look like. And, as our son pointed out: “The book is still a page-turner.” The dialogue this book sparked at our home was critical for all of us as our son came of age and into his consciousness as a mixed and Black man in society. Now, we are rereading the book with our daughter and experiencing it in an entirely new way. I am so grateful that Angie Thomas wrote this book and would encourage schools and families to make it a staple on the reading list! - Jordan
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
“When I was in middle school, I hated reading. HATED. My grandmother, however, dragged me to the library and bookstores often during the summer, determined to make me a reader (a blessing I now wish I could enjoy with her just one more time). During one visit, there was this beautiful display of books. The cover immediately intrigued me with its vivid colors, textured cover, and the image of a boy flying on a broomstick. I had no idea what Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was about, but I loved the cover, and my grandmother gladly bought it for me. That book changed everything. Reading that book - that series - would ignite my passion for reading, leading me to my career as a school librarian. I've had the joy of working with thousands of students over the past 14 years, to book talk and share my story of how one book changed everything for me, to remind young people that if they don't like reading, it's because they haven't found the right book yet, and I'm here to help them do exactly that. In my last few years as a librarian, I sponsored the Harry Potter Book Club, which admittedly involved very little reading and really should have been called the Harry Potter Fan Club. We drank butterbeer, played quidditch on the school fields, made bookmarks, and had an epic Horcrux scavenger hunt throughout the school with teachers dressed as heads of houses and a few death eaters thrown in for fun. This magic, all made possible, through one book.” - Tammy
The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen
“Books are magical. Not only do they allow you to immerse yourself in worlds of fantasy, but in a lot of cases, they allow you to see life from someone else’s point of view. The art and storytelling in this book are visually breathtaking. Touching on the perspectives of life as refugees and navigating the world as part of the LGBTQ+ community. This book does a beautiful job of touching on tough topics, all while still giving you a feeling of tenderness and love. Banned books like these give something to all readers. For some, it will be the ability to see themselves in what they read. For others, it is a chance to see life from a perspective they may not be familiar with. Banned books encourage critical thinking, foster empathy, and provide opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations. So, even if it’s not The Magic Fish, make sure you grab a friend and read a banned book (though if it is The Magic Fish, you certainly won’t regret it!) - Camille
Stand Up for the Right to Read
In a time when stories are being silenced, it’s more important than ever to fight for the freedom to read. At Beanstack, we believe that every story holds the power to spark change, inspire empathy, and shape the future. Let’s continue to uplift diverse voices, protect access to literature, and stand together against censorship. For more information or to get involved, visit the American Library Association.