Brave New World, Animal Farm, Beloved, and Catcher in the Rye are all famous books known for being banned by states, schools or parents for the messages they convey. 

Currently some states, including Florida, Texas and Utah, have laws that ban or restrict access to textbooks and library books, especially books that contain information about sexual orientation, gender, race and other controversial topics. 

California is going in the opposite direction. 

Gov. Gavin Newsome last year signed into law AB 1078, which  prohibits school boards from banning instructional materials or library books on the basis that they cover topics related to inclusivity and diversity,

“With this new law, we’re cementing California’s role as the true freedom state: a place where families — not political fanatics — have the freedom to decide what’s right for them,” Newsom said. 

However, even with the new bill, some parents still are attempting to ban books they don’t like. According to a Sept. 20, 2023 ABC News report, parents from the Elk Grove Unified School District lobbied the Board of Education to reject books that they claimed are “explicit.” But some students opposed them at the meeting, saying the parents’ effort was based more on fear than legitimate concerns.

What kinds of books are being attacked? 

According to Pen.org, of 874 titles targeted by bans around the country in the fall semester of the 2022-2023 school year:

• 44% include themes or instances of violence and physical abuse,

• 38% cover topics on health and well being for students, 30% are books that include instances or themes of grief and death, 30% include characters of color or discuss race and racism,

• 26% present LGBTQ+ characters or themes,

• 24% detail sexual experiences between characters, and

• 17% of books mention teen pregnancy, abortion, or sexual assault.

Thinking back in my elementary and middle school years, the only “controversial” theme I encountered was grief. When I did learn about other controversial topics, I stumbled upon those books or they were given to me by my mom or a friend. 

But in high school, we were assigned to read books because they were banned. In freshman year, we read books like Brave New World, which was about a fictional, future totalitarian government under which people are separated by an artificial caste system.

I believe now it’s especially important for students to read “controversial” books because the world is constantly changing and becoming more accepting of different cultures, lifestyles and ideas. 

Parents who are scared and trying to shield their children from books they don’t like, are raising kids who will be late to understanding the changing world around them. 

These parents actually should read controversial books with their children. They would benefit their kids, and themselves.