Banned Books Week
Banned Books Week, from the American Library Association (ALA) is September 18-24th this year. Their website has lots of ideas, resources, and more information. We worked with a wonderful librarian in the past who always recognized Banned Books Week with students and we learned a lot from her. While the ALA has been recognizing Banned Books Week for 40 years, this year librarians are facing unique challenges and a record number of book bans (or attempts). These book bans and attempts to control or limit curricula are affecting teachers as well on many levels. Here are some ideas for how to recognize and introduce this week to your students.
*Important reminder: Always support librarians! They are amazing humans who do everything under the sun for our communities. We always knew this, but it was reinforced yet again during the early days of the pandemic when libraries provided meals, technology, and resources for students, vaccine clinics, COVID tests, resources and support for people experiencing homelessness, access to books, computers, and information for all, and so much more. So many of us trace a love of reading aloud or books or learning to libraries and librarians. They are also incredible researchers and know (or can find out) about ANYTHING. School librarians do so much for kids and teachers and can be incredible allies and sources of support for us. Banned Books Week is a great opportunity to collaborate with your school or local librarian!
I would start by asking students what they know about banning books and what banning books means. ALA provides these webinars, but a simple definition might be all you need to make sure everyone is on the same page (ha). I explain banning books as removing books or not allowing people to read or access certain books because of their ideas or content. You can add that book banning is a type of censorship as well, depending on your students’ ages and what you want to introduce.
Historical book bans are also a great entry point, but of course so much depends on the grade level you teach. With elementary school students who developmentally are not ready to differentiate between ten years ago and one hundred years ago (both were a long time ago/potentially before they were born!), I usually find it best to either stick to the present or use a few international historical examples (this timeline is very helpful) for upper elementary.
You can also ask students why they think someone might ban a book. They will have lots of ideas! Next, have students analyze who or what ideas are represented in and who is writing and illustrating frequently challenged children’s books. Looking at representation (either through characters, ideas, author or illustrator) might lead students to notice certain trends and wonder why so many books by or about LGBTQIA+ people and/or people of color were targeted. This is an activity students of any age can do - younger students could look at picture book covers and share what they notice.
Newsela also has articles about book banning, but some are only available if you have a school subscription. I also enjoyed the book Ban This Book a lot and really recommend it for middle grade readers.
The ALA provides many other ideas about how to get involved and share how you’re celebrating. However you celebrate, happy reading and remember to appreciate a librarian next (every) week!