An online space for our community to extend our engagement w/ education and popculture
Sunday, August 17, 2025
November 20…Book Banning
Find something recent from the news about book banning/censorship. You can relate it to the New Kid situation or feel free to write about anything you want to think about/discuss related to the topic.
Within a PEN America article, author Lisa Tolin quoted "This list paints an alarming picture of what the United States government doesn't want American kids to access." I this this could not be closer to the truth. The United States has been banning books as early since the 17th century in order to responds to a person or persons had an objection to what the book was discussing or the under lying themes of the books. The government, as well as specific school districts go out of their way to limit what children have access to read if it doesn't align with what THEY want kids to know. Further down in the article Tolin writes "promoting "un-American" ideas, which it says includes diversity, equity, and inclusion, "gender ideology," and anything that would suggest "that America's founding documents are racist or sexist." Meanwhile having books about all of these subjects allows children to really learn about the world around them in a truthful manner.
Under the Trump administration, the government has made significant efforts to ban books and media from military schools under the Department of Defense. The American Civil Liberties Union took the administration to court and sued against these efforts that were made to remove terms like "gender ideology" and "DEI" from media that children have access to, which is a notable and clear abuse of power. Some of these books are "To Kill a Mockingbird", The Handmaid's Tale", and "The Nickel Boys", all books that challenge ideas like systemic oppression and totalitarian government control. I find this very ironic, because a lot of the books being banned are indirectly critical of things we have seen in the Trump administration in 2025. Overall, it is extremely crucial that these books be publicly accessed by children in the United States (e.g. not only unbanning them but instead accepting them in schools) as these issues need to be brought to light in the modern day.
I feel as if school book censorship is being pushed so heavily into effect due to the political idea of being “different” is now seen as bad. Anything that challenges a certain political groups idea who has power now is now shamed. Originality and critic is now shamed. - Jayla Alston
The recent news indicates that there's a very high rising of book bans that hasn't been seen before. They want kids in school to read what they feel appropriate, not influenced by "other factors." Most of these books are about diversity or race; like New Kid, books like it are banned cause of people's sensitivity on the subject. I feel like unbanning some of these unjustly banned books will allow kids to have a broader perspective and no bias. - Kayla Prince
(Sawyer) a quote from a recent PBS article states “ The Trump administration made it clear that it wanted to change the culture of the military. One effort targeted books on race, gender and sexuality in the libraries of schools on military bases attended by service members' children”. Ever since the global rise of widely accessible public education there have been authoritarian regimes that attempt to strengthen support by suppressing media that contradicts their agendas. The primary way that such regimes stay in power is through control of the military. To many rational thinkers, this would seem like an attempt to support a push for military backed authoritarian control by the Trump administration. The suppression of education itself is the suppression of democracy, book banning is inherently an extension of this principle.
The recent and sustained efforts toward book censorship and banning in the United States continue to be a significant concern, mirroring the controversy that surrounded Jerry Craft's graphic novel, New Kid. While New Kid faced challenges often erroneously linked to broader debates over Critical Race Theory, despite its focus on a middle schooler navigating social and racial identity, current trends indicate that these attempts at censorship are accelerating and becoming more organized. -Alyson
In 2025, book censorship in the United States is very common. There have never been this many books that have banned in schools across America and these banning are all unprecedented. PEN America defines a school book ban as any action taken against a book based on its content and how parents, the community, or the government feels about it which leads to a book being completely removed from libraries and anywhere students can have access to them. For the 2024-2025 school year, there have been three different types of books bans: books that have been completely prohibited, books that are pending investigation, and books that are banned by restriction. - Ireland
After reading a source I found by pen.org, my opinion is that they are trying to indoctrinate children and only teach them brainwashed information. The actual topics that are taught are aligned to the agenda of whoever makes the laws (in Texas, probably), and there is so much missing. With books, they can be informative and filled with history, but I think they ban books that allow students to critically think and have literature change their perception of life. Students already aren't reading a lot, so they are trying to ban them now.
Amiya- A Missouri court overturned a law that had banned hundreds of books from schools, including works by Toni Morrison and Margaret Atwood. Just like Jerry Craft’s New Kid, these bans silence important voices. Keeping these books available means students can read stories that build empathy, break down stereotypes, and protect the freedom to learn and express ideas.
An article by Axios Richmond details how schools misuse Virginia law from 2022 in order to justify the removal of books from the district library. In Virginia, book banning is completely in the hands of the school district and does not require any sort of approval from the state. A legislative audit found that a 2022 law requiring schools to notify parents of content with explicit material was used as justification for a large number of book bannings, despite the law specifically saying it should not be used for that purpose. I think that there should be more discretion surrounding book bannings in order to avoid an abuse of power from school districts.
I recently found an article about the ACLU suing the Department of Defense school system for banning books about race and gender, which reminded me quite a bit of the situation with *New Kid*. It's just so interesting how books dealing with identity or real-life social issues are always the ones being pushed out. It feels like these bans are less about protection for students and more about the limitation of perspectives that they're allowed to see. Finding that article just made it even clearer why having diverse books available in schools really matters. - Presley
Elena here: Book banning has definitely been a rising issue in the last decade. I looked at multiple articles and they all noted a rise in book banning the past few years. Personally I think it was ridiculous they banned "New Kid" in a Texas school district. The book was not inappropriate at all, it was fun and taught a lot of good lessons. Books should not be banned just because they teach something the government/someone doesn't like. It's censorship. Having diverse books with all different views and stories is important and breeds empathy and understanding. It seems like were moving into an era where more people are trying to silence these diverse voices.
Book bans raise the question about who gets to decide what can be taught or not. When books like New Kid are banned, it limits discussions about race and identity. It also instils that experiences are less valuable or "hostile". This is how education systems prioritize comfort and conformity. Restricting education fuels inequalities and fails to prepare students on how to integrate in diverse societies.
PEN America’s data confirms the states leading in bans are Florida, Texas, Missouri, Utah, and South Carolina. Many of their most aggressive bans target books with “sexual content,” which includes almost everything written by Sarah J. Maas whose fantasy romance novels dominate BookTok, where a lot of people devour these books. They’re viral, quote-heavy, fan-art-inspiring, annotated, and endlessly discussed online. So when a district bans them, I can’t help wondering: what conversation are adults trying to avoid if we know we are all reading it?! If high school students are reading Maas (and they will, with or without permission) I would much rather teachers use these texts than pretend they don’t exist. These novels open the door for conversations about consent, emotional literacy, healthy versus toxic masculinity, feminine power fantasies, the difference between fantasy-driven romance and real relationships, and why “possessive” in fiction should not translate to “possessive” in a partner. But when a school bans the book, it bans the discussion too, leaving readers/students to figure things out alone or through TikTok thirst traps. Age appropriateness does matter, though. I wouldn’t hand A Court of Thorns and Roses to a seventh grader, not to shame sexuality but because middle schoolers are in a different developmental stage. Their bodies are changing, but their cognitive and emotional frameworks are still forming. They’re concrete thinkers learning about identity, boundaries, friendships, and early romantic feelings. Middle school is the time for foundational conversations about bodies, consent, communication, and emotional regulation. High school students, however, have the cognitive capacity to analyze power dynamics, distinguish fantasy from reality, unpack gender roles, and critically evaluate relationships. Curating reading levels based on development is responsible; banning books outright is not. This distinction matters. Age appropriateness is about timing; not erasure. There’s a huge difference between placing certain titles in the high school section and removing them entirely because they make adults uncomfortable. If an 18-year-old can vote, work, enlist, marry, and parent but can’t check out a fantasy novel with consensual sex? That’s not protection; it’s infantilization. Boundaries should be developmental, not ideological.
There has been a book banning in the US only allowing teachers to teach students information that Government feel like they should know. This isn't very practical because children deserve to know all history no matter the good, bad, or ugly. In Texas Good Kid was banned because it had realness to it pertaining to how many black and brown kids are treated when exposed to a majority white enviroment. I don't think the banning of the book was necessary. -Yasmin
Movies are rated for certain ages so I'm not completely against censoring books in elementary school settings, but I think banning books is kind of dramatic. I think banning books go against our first amendment. It prevents society to view different perspectives and if policy makers feel the need to ban a book, they should rethink how they govern instead. I'm not surprised that New Kid is banned in Texas, but I will never understand how radical people have to be against a graphic novel of all things to ban it. - Alpha
Recent reporting on book banning in U.S. schools shows a sharp increase in efforts to remove texts that address race, gender identity, and LGBTQ+ experiences, revealing a broader cultural push to limit whose stories are permitted in educational spaces. These bans not only restrict students’ access to diverse perspectives but also undermine core educational aims such as critical thinking, representation, and the ability to engage with complex social issues. This trend directly relates to discussions around *New Kid*, a text that explores racial identity, microaggressions, and the challenges faced by students of color in predominantly white institutions—precisely the kind of material that often becomes a target of censorship. The growing normalization of book bans raises pressing concerns about equity, inclusion, and the role of public education in fostering an informed and empathetic citizenry.
There’s reports on books that deal with race, sexuality, and other themes that are being labeled “controversial.” Books dealing with race, class, and marginalized experiences help students give perspective of their own lives and lives different from them, and if you take that away, it undermines the idea of education being a safe space for understanding, empathy, and opportunity.
My final project was about Wicked. I related one of the new songs from the new movie to some of the themes we learned in class. When researching more about wicked I found out that it is also a banned book. When discussing topics in class we had all come to the realization that sometimes when a "touchy" subject came up it was awkward to talk about but much needed to rightfully educated. Similarly, I think this is a big reason it was banned. In my project I stated "The book includes mature themes such as political corruption, social inequality, discrimination, and violence, all of which have led parents, school boards, and conservative groups to challenge its place in libraries or classrooms." The book wicked aligns up with a lot of the corrupt and uncomfortable things going on in our society and I genuinely think people aren't ready for that conversation yet.
A PEN America report that almost 7,000 books were removed in the US this past year, which shows how common censorship is becoming, books like New Kid and The Color Purple are the first two that comes to mind. When these stories are pulled from the shelves, students are limited on what they can see. Book bans aren't really about "protecting kids", they shape whose voices are heard and who's are a whisper and are slowly erased.
I think that under the Trump administration book banning has skyrocketed in the past few years and the content of those books isn't inappropriate in any way. Most of the books that were banned are about our history, POC and their experiences, racism, etc.. The censorship isn't about the subject matter being inappropriate or wrong, it's about not wanting to share peoples' differences and hiding the past wrongs of our country.
Lately, I keep seeing news about book bans popping up everywhere, and it honestly feels unreal that this is becoming normal again. This year alone, almost 7,000 books were removed from schools—mostly stories about race, identity, or LGBTQ+ characters. The first thing that came to my mind was New Kid, because it’s such a simple, real story about a kid trying to fit in while dealing with race in everyday life. It’s the kind of book that actually helps kids feel seen or helps others understand what someone else might be going through. So when schools choose to ban books like that, it doesn’t feel like “protection”—it feels like shutting down important conversations before they can even start. And honestly, it makes the world smaller for students. Books help you see yourself, learn empathy, and understand people who don’t live the same life as you. When those stories disappear, it sends this quiet but powerful message that certain experiences or identities aren’t welcome. Book banning doesn’t solve anything—it just silences voices that deserve to be heard.
Within a PEN America article, author Lisa Tolin quoted "This list paints an alarming picture of what the United States government doesn't want American kids to access." I this this could not be closer to the truth. The United States has been banning books as early since the 17th century in order to responds to a person or persons had an objection to what the book was discussing or the under lying themes of the books. The government, as well as specific school districts go out of their way to limit what children have access to read if it doesn't align with what THEY want kids to know. Further down in the article Tolin writes "promoting "un-American" ideas, which it says includes diversity, equity, and inclusion, "gender ideology," and anything that would suggest "that America's founding documents are racist or sexist." Meanwhile having books about all of these subjects allows children to really learn about the world around them in a truthful manner.
ReplyDeleteUnder the Trump administration, the government has made significant efforts to ban books and media from military schools under the Department of Defense. The American Civil Liberties Union took the administration to court and sued against these efforts that were made to remove terms like "gender ideology" and "DEI" from media that children have access to, which is a notable and clear abuse of power. Some of these books are "To Kill a Mockingbird", The Handmaid's Tale", and "The Nickel Boys", all books that challenge ideas like systemic oppression and totalitarian government control. I find this very ironic, because a lot of the books being banned are indirectly critical of things we have seen in the Trump administration in 2025. Overall, it is extremely crucial that these books be publicly accessed by children in the United States (e.g. not only unbanning them but instead accepting them in schools) as these issues need to be brought to light in the modern day.
ReplyDeleteI feel as if school book censorship is being pushed so heavily into effect due to the political idea of being “different” is now seen as bad. Anything that challenges a certain political groups idea who has power now is now shamed. Originality and critic is now shamed. - Jayla Alston
ReplyDeleteThe recent news indicates that there's a very high rising of book bans that hasn't been seen before. They want kids in school to read what they feel appropriate, not influenced by "other factors." Most of these books are about diversity or race; like New Kid, books like it are banned cause of people's sensitivity on the subject. I feel like unbanning some of these unjustly banned books will allow kids to have a broader perspective and no bias. - Kayla Prince
ReplyDelete(Sawyer) a quote from a recent PBS article states “ The Trump administration made it clear that it wanted to change the culture of the military. One effort targeted books on race, gender and sexuality in the libraries of schools on military bases attended by service members' children”. Ever since the global rise of widely accessible public education there have been authoritarian regimes that attempt to strengthen support by suppressing media that contradicts their agendas. The primary way that such regimes stay in power is through control of the military. To many rational thinkers, this would seem like an attempt to support a push for military backed authoritarian control by the Trump administration. The suppression of education itself is the suppression of democracy, book banning is inherently an extension of this principle.
ReplyDeleteThe recent and sustained efforts toward book censorship and banning in the United States continue to be a significant concern, mirroring the controversy that surrounded Jerry Craft's graphic novel, New Kid. While New Kid faced challenges often erroneously linked to broader debates over Critical Race Theory, despite its focus on a middle schooler navigating social and racial identity, current trends indicate that these attempts at censorship are accelerating and becoming more organized. -Alyson
ReplyDeleteIn 2025, book censorship in the United States is very common. There have never been this many books that have banned in schools across America and these banning are all unprecedented. PEN America defines a school book ban as any action taken against a book based on its content and how parents, the community, or the government feels about it which leads to a book being completely removed from libraries and anywhere students can have access to them. For the 2024-2025 school year, there have been three different types of books bans: books that have been completely prohibited, books that are pending investigation, and books that are banned by restriction. - Ireland
ReplyDeleteAfter reading a source I found by pen.org, my opinion is that they are trying to indoctrinate children and only teach them brainwashed information. The actual topics that are taught are aligned to the agenda of whoever makes the laws (in Texas, probably), and there is so much missing. With books, they can be informative and filled with history, but I think they ban books that allow students to critically think and have literature change their perception of life. Students already aren't reading a lot, so they are trying to ban them now.
ReplyDeleteAmiya- A Missouri court overturned a law that had banned hundreds of books from schools, including works by Toni Morrison and Margaret Atwood. Just like Jerry Craft’s New Kid, these bans silence important voices. Keeping these books available means students can read stories that build empathy, break down stereotypes, and protect the freedom to learn and express ideas.
ReplyDeleteAn article by Axios Richmond details how schools misuse Virginia law from 2022 in order to justify the removal of books from the district library. In Virginia, book banning is completely in the hands of the school district and does not require any sort of approval from the state. A legislative audit found that a 2022 law requiring schools to notify parents of content with explicit material was used as justification for a large number of book bannings, despite the law specifically saying it should not be used for that purpose. I think that there should be more discretion surrounding book bannings in order to avoid an abuse of power from school districts.
ReplyDeleteAutumn :)
DeleteI recently found an article about the ACLU suing the Department of Defense school system for banning books about race and gender, which reminded me quite a bit of the situation with *New Kid*. It's just so interesting how books dealing with identity or real-life social issues are always the ones being pushed out. It feels like these bans are less about protection for students and more about the limitation of perspectives that they're allowed to see. Finding that article just made it even clearer why having diverse books available in schools really matters.
ReplyDelete- Presley
Elena here: Book banning has definitely been a rising issue in the last decade. I looked at multiple articles and they all noted a rise in book banning the past few years. Personally I think it was ridiculous they banned "New Kid" in a Texas school district. The book was not inappropriate at all, it was fun and taught a lot of good lessons. Books should not be banned just because they teach something the government/someone doesn't like. It's censorship. Having diverse books with all different views and stories is important and breeds empathy and understanding. It seems like were moving into an era where more people are trying to silence these diverse voices.
ReplyDeleteBook bans raise the question about who gets to decide what can be taught or not. When books like New Kid are banned, it limits discussions about race and identity. It also instils that experiences are less valuable or "hostile". This is how education systems prioritize comfort and conformity. Restricting education fuels inequalities and fails to prepare students on how to integrate in diverse societies.
ReplyDeletePEN America’s data confirms the states leading in bans are Florida, Texas, Missouri, Utah, and South Carolina. Many of their most aggressive bans target books with “sexual content,” which includes almost everything written by Sarah J. Maas whose fantasy romance novels dominate BookTok, where a lot of people devour these books. They’re viral, quote-heavy, fan-art-inspiring, annotated, and endlessly discussed online. So when a district bans them, I can’t help wondering: what conversation are adults trying to avoid if we know we are all reading it?!
ReplyDeleteIf high school students are reading Maas (and they will, with or without permission) I would much rather teachers use these texts than pretend they don’t exist. These novels open the door for conversations about consent, emotional literacy, healthy versus toxic masculinity, feminine power fantasies, the difference between fantasy-driven romance and real relationships, and why “possessive” in fiction should not translate to “possessive” in a partner. But when a school bans the book, it bans the discussion too, leaving readers/students to figure things out alone or through TikTok thirst traps.
Age appropriateness does matter, though. I wouldn’t hand A Court of Thorns and Roses to a seventh grader, not to shame sexuality but because middle schoolers are in a different developmental stage. Their bodies are changing, but their cognitive and emotional frameworks are still forming. They’re concrete thinkers learning about identity, boundaries, friendships, and early romantic feelings. Middle school is the time for foundational conversations about bodies, consent, communication, and emotional regulation. High school students, however, have the cognitive capacity to analyze power dynamics, distinguish fantasy from reality, unpack gender roles, and critically evaluate relationships. Curating reading levels based on development is responsible; banning books outright is not. This distinction matters. Age appropriateness is about timing; not erasure. There’s a huge difference between placing certain titles in the high school section and removing them entirely because they make adults uncomfortable. If an 18-year-old can vote, work, enlist, marry, and parent but can’t check out a fantasy novel with consensual sex? That’s not protection; it’s infantilization. Boundaries should be developmental, not ideological.
There has been a book banning in the US only allowing teachers to teach students information that Government feel like they should know. This isn't very practical because children deserve to know all history no matter the good, bad, or ugly. In Texas Good Kid was banned because it had realness to it pertaining to how many black and brown kids are treated when exposed to a majority white enviroment. I don't think the banning of the book was necessary. -Yasmin
ReplyDeleteMovies are rated for certain ages so I'm not completely against censoring books in elementary school settings, but I think banning books is kind of dramatic. I think banning books go against our first amendment. It prevents society to view different perspectives and if policy makers feel the need to ban a book, they should rethink how they govern instead. I'm not surprised that New Kid is banned in Texas, but I will never understand how radical people have to be against a graphic novel of all things to ban it. - Alpha
ReplyDeleteRecent reporting on book banning in U.S. schools shows a sharp increase in efforts to remove texts that address race, gender identity, and LGBTQ+ experiences, revealing a broader cultural push to limit whose stories are permitted in educational spaces. These bans not only restrict students’ access to diverse perspectives but also undermine core educational aims such as critical thinking, representation, and the ability to engage with complex social issues. This trend directly relates to discussions around *New Kid*, a text that explores racial identity, microaggressions, and the challenges faced by students of color in predominantly white institutions—precisely the kind of material that often becomes a target of censorship. The growing normalization of book bans raises pressing concerns about equity, inclusion, and the role of public education in fostering an informed and empathetic citizenry.
ReplyDeleteThere’s reports on books that deal with race, sexuality, and other themes that are being labeled “controversial.” Books dealing with race, class, and marginalized experiences help students give perspective of their own lives and lives different from them, and if you take that away, it undermines the idea of education being a safe space for understanding, empathy, and opportunity.
ReplyDeleteMy final project was about Wicked. I related one of the new songs from the new movie to some of the themes we learned in class. When researching more about wicked I found out that it is also a banned book. When discussing topics in class we had all come to the realization that sometimes when a "touchy" subject came up it was awkward to talk about but much needed to rightfully educated. Similarly, I think this is a big reason it was banned. In my project I stated "The book includes mature themes such as political corruption, social inequality, discrimination, and violence, all of which have led parents, school boards, and conservative groups to challenge its place in libraries or classrooms." The book wicked aligns up with a lot of the corrupt and uncomfortable things going on in our society and I genuinely think people aren't ready for that conversation yet.
ReplyDeleteA PEN America report that almost 7,000 books were removed in the US this past year, which shows how common censorship is becoming, books like New Kid and The Color Purple are the first two that comes to mind. When these stories are pulled from the shelves, students are limited on what they can see. Book bans aren't really about "protecting kids", they shape whose voices are heard and who's are a whisper and are slowly erased.
ReplyDelete- Alana "Ana
DeleteI think that under the Trump administration book banning has skyrocketed in the past few years and the content of those books isn't inappropriate in any way. Most of the books that were banned are about our history, POC and their experiences, racism, etc.. The censorship isn't about the subject matter being inappropriate or wrong, it's about not wanting to share peoples' differences and hiding the past wrongs of our country.
ReplyDelete- Taylor
Lately, I keep seeing news about book bans popping up everywhere, and it honestly feels unreal that this is becoming normal again. This year alone, almost 7,000 books were removed from schools—mostly stories about race, identity, or LGBTQ+ characters. The first thing that came to my mind was New Kid, because it’s such a simple, real story about a kid trying to fit in while dealing with race in everyday life. It’s the kind of book that actually helps kids feel seen or helps others understand what someone else might be going through. So when schools choose to ban books like that, it doesn’t feel like “protection”—it feels like shutting down important conversations before they can even start. And honestly, it makes the world smaller for students. Books help you see yourself, learn empathy, and understand people who don’t live the same life as you. When those stories disappear, it sends this quiet but powerful message that certain experiences or identities aren’t welcome. Book banning doesn’t solve anything—it just silences voices that deserve to be heard.
ReplyDelete