Protecting pages: The culture war on literature and fighting for literary freedom

Recently, high school student Annabelle Jenkins made headlines when she handed her superintendent a copy of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” a book he had banned just months earlier, during her graduation ceremony.

According to the New York Post, Jenkins wanted to bring attention to the ban as she was upset that “the teacher who contested the book in the first place never read it.”

Banned books are a current national hot topic. According to the American Library Association in 2023, “The number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92%.”

Shockingly, the New York Times found that the number reported by the ALA does not account for all books that have been banned as many banned books “go unreported.”

The New York Times attributes this increase in banned books to a culture war between conservative groups, like Moms for Liberty and Utach Parents United, and free speech advocacy groups. 

Librarians are seeing “more complaints that demand the removal of multiple titles, sometimes dozens or even hundreds of books.”

According to ALA, each attempt to ban a book represents a direct attack on every person’s constitutionally protected right to freely choose what books to read and what ideas to explore. In addition to protecting freedom of speech, books should be protected for another important reason: they provide a way for young people to process difficult experiences and emotions.  

A Topic of Concern 

According to the L.A. Times, many of the 2023 banned books addressed sexual, race or gender identity concerning topics. The Times also found that banned book authors were LGBTQ+, disproportionally female, and people of color.

According to the ALA, titles representing the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals made up 47% of those targeted in censorship attempts.

Pen America, an acronym for Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists, Novelists, works to protect free expression by “recognizing the power of the word to transform the world.” Pen America believes that book bans limit children from learning other topics and it controls their education.

According to Eastern Connecticut State University, “ literature can be a powerful tool for supporting children’s social and emotional development.” Also, according to Psychology Today, books increase empathy. Those who ban books often cite obscenity as the reason. However, John Green, the author of the banned book “Looking for Alaska”, disagrees with the rise in book bans and thinks they restrict young readers from gaining intellectual knowledge. He thinks the book is not the problem: the worldview is the problem.

My Own Banned Book

Recently, I experienced a book ban first-hand. I was reading John Green’s novel “Looking for Alaska,” which had been donated to my school’s library. This book explores themes of uncertainty, grief, unconditional love, and understanding.

It emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and empathy during difficult times — important life skills that are rarely taught explicitly in school. My school librarian was horrified that I had this “banned book.” She asked if I had read the entire story. I felt the need to lie and say I had not despite having finished the book. She looked relieved, but I was upset. 

The story follows an outcast senior, Miles, who attends the Culver Creek boarding school in Birmingham, Alabama. Miles develops a habit of breaking rules when hanging out with his three friends: Chip, Takumi, and Alaska. The group plans a massive prank on the Weekday Warriors, a clique of snobby kids with rich parents. The day after the prank is executed, Alaska shares her most tragic childhood memory while playing a game called Best Day/Worst Day.

She recounts how her mother collapsed and died when she was very young, and how she blames herself for not calling 911. Every year on the anniversary of her mother’s death, Alaska lays flowers on her grave. This story helps Miles understand why Alaska is often moody. The book explores Simon Bolivar’s question, “How will we ever get out of this labyrinth of suffering?” The answer the book offers is forgiveness. 

“Looking for Alaska” showcases true friendship, demonstrating how vulnerability strengthens trust and connection. It also explores themes of existentialism, death, loss, and depression — ideas that young readers might not encounter elsewhere. These deep and abstract topics help readers relate, connect, and develop their own ideas. However, “Looking for Alaska” is the third most banned in the U.S. This book, which works to guide students through difficult conversations, is often missing from many local libraries, including my own.

Fighting book bans

The ALA offers the following ways for students to fight back against book bans:

1. Attend a Banned Books Week Program at a library, school, or bookstore. Students can add their program to this ALA events list.
2. Use the hashtag #bannedbooksweek to spread awareness about banned books.
3. Check out a banned book using this ALA List. I recommend “Looking for Alaska.”
4. Join the Freedom to Read Foundation.

While the list of banned books continues to increase in 2024, the lessons contained in these books are important. Like Annabelle Jenkins, students should use the platforms available to them to fight to keep our freedom of expression.