Some Thoughts on Banned Book Week

“A book, too, can be a star, explosive material, capable of stirring up fresh life endlessly, a living fire to lighten the darkness, leading out into the expanding universe.”

– Madeleine L’Engle

When I was in 6th grade, I read A Wrinkle in Time for the first time and loved it. Like many readers of that age, there was so much about the main character, Meg, that captured me - she was a dear, kindred spirit. I was too young to understand the underlying themes, but for me, they were not necessary to read the story and be inspired to be unique, daring, and curious.

A while later, I overheard a well-meaning lady in my conservative Baptist church say how children should not read the book because it communicates non-Christian themes. I don’t remember the specifics but it was probably something like - new age philosophy? magic? eastern mysticism? I was baffled, but what I do remember clearly is that this was my first negative experience with someone wanting to ban a book.

I remember thinking - “Maybe she is missing the point of the book.” Later in life as I read more by the author, Madeline L’Engle, and read A Wrinkle in Time several more times - that middle school thought that there was a disconnect was very accurate.

I am saddened that this lady may have lived her life so fearful of differing views that she never experienced the beauty and insight I have gained from L’Engle’s writings. This childhood experience has obviously resonated with me and is also one of the primary reasons why I react so very strongly against banning any type of books, which I believe is censorship.

Censorship is the restriction of ideas and the closing off of dialog. As a society we must be cautious when we feel this impulse, and instead approach one another with an open mind. It is true that there are many books with a provocative or seemingly problematic theme, particularly for those of us who were raised conservatively. And not all books are appropriate for readers of all ages. But works of art can often raise important or uncomfortable questions and we are better for confronting them. I think that is one of the best things about literature - it feeds a curious mind, builds bonds between people with different experiences, and provides potential resolutions for complicated problems or difficult ideas.

So before jumping to conclusions and wanting to forbid access to a book - let’s find a friend to chat about it and hopefully learn more about the creativity this beautiful world has to offer. On a lighter note, I thought to commemorate #BannedBooksWeek on this blog I should do something somewhat “fun.” So below are a few of my school pictures from the 90’s, along with a few of my favorite books that were often challenged in schools, libraries, and other places during the 90’s.

If you would like to learn more about banned books - please click here for some helpful resources.

“That was only a prelude, Where they burn books, in the end they will burn people.”

~Heinrich Heine (German 19th Century Poet)