Do you miss school book fairs? Well, we do! Join us on June 3rd for a Banned Book, Book Fair at Six Bridges Brewing! Peruse a selection of banned books while enjoying a locally brewed beer! It's going to be great fun, and we guarantee a great conversation.
The books we are bringing to this event have been banned, removed, or challenged in schools, and libraries from across the country.
What does it mean if a book is banned?
"A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others."
Source: https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/banned-books-qa
Why are books challenged?
Often challenges are motivated by a desire to protect children from “inappropriate” sexual content or “offensive” language. The following were the top three reasons cited for challenging materials as reported to the Office of Intellectual Freedom:
- the material was considered to be "sexually explicit"
- the material contained "offensive language"
- the materials was "unsuited to any age group"
Source: https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/banned-books-qa#:~:text=The%20following%20were%20the%20top,unsuited%20to%20any%20age%20group%22
CNN — "Books that tell the stories of Black and LGBTQ people or by authors in those communities were among the 10 most challenged titles in 2021, the American Library Association said."
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/04/us/american-library-association-most-challenged-books/index.html
Who is behind the recent book banning?
"As book bans in schools across the country escalate, a handful of right-wing activist organizations and Republican lawmakers are behind them, putting pressure on districts to ban books about and by LGBTQ people and people of color."
Source: https://www.edweek.org/leadership/whos-behind-the-escalating-push-to-ban-books-a-new-report-has-answers/2022/09
Why are banned books a problem?
"Students will not be able to understand different cultures, worldviews, religions, etc., if individuals keep banning books that have these elements. Banning books can stunt children's curiosity about the world and other people."
Oct 14, 2022
Source: https://www.maryvillepawprint.com/the-negative-effects-of-book-banning-in-the-classroom/#:~:text=Students%20will%20not%20be%20able,the%20world%20and%20other%20people.
"If this nation is to be wise as well as strong, if we are to achieve our destiny, then we need more new ideas for more wise men reading more good books in more public libraries. These libraries should be open to all—except the censor. We must know all the facts and hear all the alternatives and listen to all the criticisms. Let us welcome controversial books and controversial authors. For the Bill of Rights is the guardian of our security as well as our liberty."
[Response to a questionnaire in Saturday Review, October 29 1960]”
― John F. Kennedy
According to the American Library Association, a banned book is a book that has been removed from the shelf of a library or school.
