Banned Books Week

 September 23-29, 2018 is Banned Books Week, the annual recognition by librarians, teachers, publishers, readers and book lovers of all types, of the dangers of censorship. Books featured during this week have all faced removal or restriction from libraries and schools. Despite court decisions such as Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, 393 U.S. 503 (1969), Board of Education v. Pico, 457 U.S. 853 (1982), and more locally Minarcini v. Strongsville City School District, 541 F.2d 577 (6th Cir., 1976), books continue to be challenged and banned.  According to the American Library Association (ALA), “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.”

The ALA keeps track of the most frequently banned and challenged books, which ranges from children’s books such as Harry Potter, to books with more serious themes such as The Handmaid’s Tale. One of the most challenged books since its publication is Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, and it appears as #7 on the list of Top Ten Most Challenged Books for 2017. A copy of Lee’s famous novel is sent to each admitted C|M|Law student for its iconic portrayal of a lawyer fighting for truth. Other banned books featuring lawyers are John Grisham’s A Time to Kill, and Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood.