I’m Booked: Banned Books
Written by Ally Abruscato and Ally Miller-Henson. Graphic by Ana Vergara Garcia.
Hello and welcome to the (drumroll please) 50th edition of I’m Booked! In honor of this special occasion, I’m Booked is having our first-ever collaboration with Photo Editor, Ally Miller-Henson. While I’ve gotten the incredible opportunity to talk about books for the past few years, it is important to remember that reading is a privilege that not everyone has. All around the United States, schools are banning books from their curriculum and libraries in an attempt to hide the stories of people of color, the LGBTQ+ community and the experiences of people under abusive governments. According to Pen America, there were over 10,000 instances of book banning in the 2023-2024 school year. Erasing and censoring stories and voices only excludes the diverse perspectives that make reading so important.
For this week’s “I’m Booked”, the District Allys (Abruscato and Miller-Henson) are bringing you some recommended banned books and resources.
Chances are, that book that shaped your childhood or teenage years might no longer be available at your local library. While we might have grumbled about reading these classics during our school years, works like “1984” and “Lord of the Flies” helped develop us into thoughtful, empathetic adults. Now, children are losing access to these books, along with second hand experiences they may not otherwise learn.
What’s behind these current threats?
When government officials, school boards or parents take issue with a book’s content, they can restrict its availability by removing it from circulation in schools and public libraries. The impact extends beyond direct bans—some libraries and schools preemptively remove books from their collections to avoid potential challenges, a practice known as a “soft ban.” Most books targeted by these soft or hard bans are challenged because of their inclusive content, particularly in connection with measures against the teaching of critical race theory.
What’s the problem?
While this may feel like a small threat, books are a significant source of critical thinking skills and empathy development. When immersed in a well-written book, the mental imagery stimulates the emotional regions of your brain that would be triggered in real situations. Experiencing the thoughts and emotions of characters within a book fosters empathy towards experiences other than our own. Restricting access to books in school libraries also limits intellectual freedom and promotes a single narrative chosen by the people in power. Libraries should remain spaces where we can explore diverse perspectives while acknowledging others’ right to different selections.
What can you do?
Now more than ever, it’s important that we consume media that opens our minds to experiences beyond our own and helps us recognize patterns of governmental control. Make banned books a priority on your TBR—they can reveal profound insights about yourself and your country.
In 50 editions of I’m Booked, we’ve covered numerous books that have been banned in the United States. Here are some recommendations on where to start:
“The Nickel Boys” by Colson Whitehead
My first book of this year, “The Nickel Boys” is a historical fiction story about an abusive juvenile reformatory school.
“The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood
Now a well-known television series as well, “The Handmaid’s Tale” depicts the dystopian lives of women whose jobs are to have babies on behalf of wealthy families.
Megan Rapinoe’s autobiography covers her life as an all-star soccer player and activist for equal pay and LGBTQ+ rights.
“The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros
This fictional story tells of a young girl, Esperanza Cordero, as she grows up as a Latina in Chicago.
“Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson
One of my favorite books of all time, “Just Mercy” depicts the cruelties of the injustice system that lawyer Bryan Stevenson encountered in real life.
From the author of “Song of Achilles” (another banned book), “Circe” is the story of a mythological Greek goddess. (P.S. This is Ally Miller-Henson’s favorite book of all time!)
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky
Number four on the American Library Association’s “Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2023,” this book is a coming-of-age story documenting a troubled teen.
Those are some of my favorite books that definitely deserve a read and no matter their reasons for being banned, everyone deserves the opportunity to enjoy them. Now, here are a few more to add to your to-read list (even if some states want to restrict your access). These were some of my personal favorites in high school, and ones that I could not imagine growing up without.
“Beloved” by Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison is a literary icon who wrote the books “Beloved” and “The Bluest Eye,” both of which are banned in some schools due to their depiction of violence and sex. These books tell African American stories that are often left out of the literary canon. “Beloved” follows a family of formerly enslaved people after the Civil War. Although I remember the book being complicated and somewhat hard to understand, when we decoded it in English class conversation, I was enthralled by the story.
“1984” by George Orwell
A dystopian novel about totalitarianism and censorship could not be more important today in 2025. Some claim “1984” as the most frequently banned book for its portrayal of communism and sex. It is a classic high school book that deserves to be read.
“The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas
Banned in some schools for being vulgar, “The Hate U Give” tells the story of a Black teen who witnesses a police shooting. The book gained popularity through the Black Lives Matter movement and highlights police brutality in a personal way that can be easily understood by growing teens.
“The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls
This memoir tells the true story of Jeanette Walls growing up in a dysfunctional family. Her story is a heartbreaking and poignant portrayal of addiction and family struggles. While some areas have banned “The Glass Castle” for its honest discussions about poverty, sexuality and alcoholism, it is a real story that deserves attention.
“In the Time of the Butterflies” by Julia Alvarez
“In the Time of the Butterflies” was my favorite book that I read in high school. It is a historical fiction story about a group of sisters during the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. It deeply saddens me that this book is restricted in some schools, as Julia Alvarez is one of my favorite authors.
We cannot erase stories simply because they discuss heavy topics: how are people, especially growing adults, supposed to learn how to deal with these topics otherwise? When marginalized groups are not included in curriculums, how are students in those groups supposed to connect with the books and have their stories heard? If you are able, please read these books so as to not let these stories be censored or forgotten. For more banned books to add to your to-read list, check out this list.
I’ll be back soon with another book review, but until then, I’m Booked.
As Editor-in-Chief, Ally Abruscato leads and supports a talented group of staff and contributors in pursuing their creative endeavors. At SCAD, Ally majors in Photography and minors in Advertising & Branding. She regularly offers pop culture insights through movie reviews, articles and her weekly column, “I’m Booked.” When she’s not writing or taking photos, Ally’s probably outside, reading or running.
