VSARN’S Ban Book Project
As a Black student in a predominantly white state, books have been my gateway to understanding my culture, identity, and history—offering escape and guidance when nothing else could. I didn’t always appreciate literature’s power, but that changed in seventh grade when I faced daily racism, hearing comments like, “Black people are the issue, not the police.” I withdrew from school and lost my love for learning until I was assigned The U Give. Reluctantly, I read it—and for the first time, I felt seen. Angie Thomas’s words affirmed that my race shouldn’t justify mistreatment. Inspired, I spoke out against faculty, demanding change. I still keep the book as a reminder of my journey and resilience.
My experience is just one of many shaped by the power of books. VSARN (Vermont Student Anti-Racism Network) uses literature to foster understanding and inclusivity, helping white individuals grasp the experiences of people of color. From The Youngest Marcher to A Kids Book About Racism, books allow diverse voices to be heard, uniting people across backgrounds.
Now, this right is under threat. Book bans jeopardize our education, enjoyment, and freedom to seek knowledge. But we refuse to be silenced. VSARN will continue sharing books against intimidation, ensuring every student feels valued—regardless of race, gender, sexuality, religion, or national origin. Join us in defending the right to read, to learn, and to be seen—because when we fight for stories, we fight for each other.
Banned Books In The United States
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Banned Books In The United States *
The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas
An impactful story about a teenage girl, Starr Carter, who must navigate between the different social codes of her poor Black neighborhood and her wealthy, mostly white private school. The challenges further persist when she witnesses her childhood best friend murdered at the hands of a police officer. Finding her voice in a time where pressure is put on her from various entities in her life becomes an obstacle. She ultimately has to decide whether to speak out and risk her safety or stay silent. This book is being banned across dominantly republican states allegedly because of “explicit sexual content.” This demonstrates a complete attack on freedom of speech and expression to discuss important social issues in literature like the continuous murders of black individuals, specifically black men, by police.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
This novel is set in a totalitarian state where women are oppressed, their rights to individual autonomy are stripped, and knowledge from education and books are revoked. Sound familiar? The Handmaid's Tale is at risk of being banned in many states due to the “controversial” themes it tackles like unregulated religious ideals, female oppression, sexual violence, and LGBTQ+ representation, which some groups unreasonably find disturbing or inappropriate.
Stamped by Jason Reynolds
Stamped: Racism, Anti-racism, and You, by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi, is a version of Kendi’s award-winning book, Stamped From the Beginning, re-written for young adult readers. The book focuses on the origin of the construct of race and racist ideas in America, and provides important insight on how they have been utilized to gain and keep power throughout history. It also provides both methods and hope for a more anti-racist future. Using a fast-paced, conversation-like style, Reynolds and Kendi manage to tell an important history through a book that is distinctly, as they describe it, “NOT a history book”. It is being banned across the country with criticisms for its “divisive” teaching of critical race theory, and for being “anti-American” and promoting “disrespect for the bible”. The banning of this book prevents a crucial and overdue conversation about the origins of the racism that we see in America today. Choosing to prevent this conversation prevents young students from learning important truths, not only ones about their own country, but ones that must be acknowledged to get to the root of racism in our nation and to fight for an anti-racist future. Banning this book signifies both a failure to acknowledge America’s racist history, and a blatant decision to prevent young people from needed conversations.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
To Kill a Mockingbird, an award-winning coming-of-age novel that has been translated into 40 languages and sold over 40 million copies, takes place in small-town Alabama during the Great Depression. The novel centers around a young child’s awakening to the realities of racism in the South. It tells this story through two main plots. The story follows Louise (“Scout”) and brother Jeremy (“Jem”) Finch as they watch their father defend Tom Robinison. Robinson, a black resident of the town, has been falsely accused of raping a white women named Mayella Ewell. As well as following the fear and controversy of the trial the novel also follows the children’s growing understanding of empathy and the harms of prejudice as they try to learn (and therefore spy on) their recluse neighbor Boo Radley. Many often argue for the book’s banning by claiming it teaches that all white people are racists, and therefore bad. Some disapprove of the level of racism, violence, and offensive-language used in the text. Banning this book prevents the teaching of the important and hard-to-swallow realities of racism in America, and blocks an important lesson on the harms of prejudice from reaching students.
All American Boys by Jason Reynolds
This novel by Jason Reynolds and Brandon Kiely focuses on the experiences of two teenage boys, Rashad Butler and Quinn Collins, as they experience the aftermath of Rashad’s brutal assault by police officer Paul Galluzzo, after he falsely accused Rashad of shoplifting a bag of chips and then of arguing and resistance of arrest. Quinn, the sole witness beyond a video camera, struggles in realizing that Galluzo, who has taken care of him for most of his life, has committed this horrible act. As word spreads about the attack and tensions rise at school, both boys must come to terms with the effects of the day in ways that they never could have imagined. All American Boys has been banned under claims that it causes the “indoctrination” of children with distrust for the police and that it contains “divisive topics”. The banning of this book prevents young students from understanding the difficult realities of racism in policing in our nation. Banning the story prevents students from receiving this vital messaging in a relatable and nuanced story, and further silences the voices of Black Americans who must endure the effects of racist policing.
1984 by George Orwell
This novel explores a totalitarian society ruled by “Big Brother” where surveillance and control are heavily involved. The protagonist, Winston Smith struggles against the oppressive regime that manipulates truth and strives to enforce uniformity. This book is a classic book that powerfully critiques authoritarianism and the dangers of government overreach. This book is often banned as it explores political themes and portrays surveillance and censorship.
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings By Maya Angelou
This memoir explores the childhood of the author Maya Angelou, touching on themes such as racism. trauma, and identity while growing up in the segregated South. This book explores Angelou’s experiences as she grows up and begins her journey of self empowerment and resilience. This book is praised for its honest portrayal of racism and self identity. This book is banned for its discussions of sexual assault and it’s portrayal of racism and overall struggles within the African American community.
Fahrenheit 451 By Ray Bradbury
This book is set in the future where books are banned and “firemen” burn them. This novel follows Guy Montag, a fireman who begins to question his role in censorship and seeks knowledge in defiance of the oppressive government. This novel explores the loss of individuality in a conformist society. It is often banned due to its critiques of government control and themes of censorship, as they present challenging ideas about the value of books and free thought.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
This novel details the life of an enslaved Black woman, Celie, who endures relentless abuse and oppression in the early 20th century American South. Letters she writes to God allows her to slowly find her voice in a time where black individuals were constantly mistreated. Themes of racism and sexism are discussed in the story but also resilience and love. This book is being banned in many conservative states due to its alleged “explicit sexual content” and depictions of abuse. Instead of allowing the blossoming of conversations surrounding empowerment of black individuals, officials attempt to attack Americans first Amendment right, freedom of speech. Censoring The Color Purple threatens necessary conversations about historical injustices and the power of advocating for liberation which should NOT be a stance America takes.
Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned In School by Tiffany Jewell
Everything I Learned About Racism is an analysis on the ways racism is perpetuated through educational systems and society. While focusing on how race and racism are often misrepresented or overlooked within school, the author encourages the readers to look into how they are taught about race. This book covers crucial themes such as systemic racism, microaggressions, and the effect of white-domiated curriculums on students who are of color. Desp;it this book empowering the youth to question these harmful patterns, it receives pushback in some places due to its direct approach when discussing race and racism. Banning this book only denies students the opportunity to learn about ways they can contribute to foster a more inclusive and equitable society.
Black Birds in the Sky by Brandy Colbert
This novel discusses the events of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, where a Black community in Greenland, Oklahoma, was destroyed due to a violent white mob. Through this storytelling, the author delves into the lives of those who were affected by the massacre, the injustices they experienced, and its lasting effects. This book examines the themes of racial violence and systemic racism while emphasising the resilience of the Black community in the face of adversity. Despite this book's importance in understanding America’s History, it faces challenges due to those who find discussions of race and injustice difficult. Banning Black Birds in the Sky does nothing but silence the truth and do a disservice to the fight for justice and equality.
I Rise by Marie Arnold
I Rise by Marie Arnold follows Ayo, a girl growing up in Harlem, as she struggles to step out of her mother’s activist shadow and find her own voice. As the daughter of a well-known activist, Ayo feels the pressure of expectations while also facing the challenges of being a young Black girl in America. When a tragic situation occurs she is forced to confront activism, identity, and the power of using her voice. I Rise displays themes of racial injustice and the responsibility placed on young activists, making it an educational book for understanding the struggles of fighting for change. Like many books addressing racial inequality and activism, it faces the threat of censorship. Silencing this book means silencing the realities that many Black children face and denying them a story that reflects their struggles and achievements.
If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin
If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin tells the powerful story of Tish and Fonny, a young Black couple in Harlem whose love is tested by the realities of racism and injustice. When Fonny is accused of a crime he did not commit, Tish fights tirelessly to clear his name while navigating the struggles of an unjust legal system that works against black men. Baldwin demonstrates themes of systemic oppression and love, while showing racial inequalities that continue to shape America. Although it portrays Black love and resistance, ultimately this book has faced censorship for its factual depictions of racial violence and injustice. Rather than engaging with the necessary conversations about the issues displayed, banning this book suppresses the painful truths of racial discrimination, a history that should not be erased.
When You Look Like Us by Pamela N. Harris
When You Look Like Us by Pamela N. Harris exposes the disturbing reality of how missing Black girls are often ignored by law enforcement and the media. The book follows Jay, a teenager searching for his missing sister Nicole, while fighting a world that refuses to see her as a victim. As Jay discovers truths about his community and the prejudiced way that dictates which lives are worthy of attention, the book sheds light on racial injustice and the neglect faced by black communities. This book is a necessary reminder of the biased criminal justice system and society’s disregard for Black lives, yet it faces bans for its portrayal of racial inequality and violence.
Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson
"Monday's Not Coming" by Tiffany D. Jackson is a young adult novel that follows Claudia, a thirteen-year-old girl from Washington, D.C., who returns from a summer away to find her best friend, Monday Charles, missing. As Claudia searches for answers, she confronts indifference from adults and uncovers unsettling truths, highlighting themes of friendship, systemic neglect, and the challenges faced by marginalized communities. The novel has faced bans and challenges in various middle and high schools due to its depiction of violence, abuse, and neglect. Some adults believe that young readers should be shielded from such “harsh realities”, leading to the book's removal from certain school libraries. For instance, it has been challenged in Virginia and Texas and removed from some school libraries in Utah. In actuality, it calls out the truth that comes with being a minority in the United States. In fact, black children make up a disproportionate number of missing cases but receive less media coverage and fewer law enforcement resources than white children. This lack of urgency, often called "missing white woman syndrome," results in slower investigations and lower recovery rates. Studies also show police are less likely to flag Black missing children as high-risk.This illustrates why literature that speaks to situations such as these are important for education and to ensure society is aware of these injustices.
An Emotion of Great Delight by Tahereh Mafi
An Emotion of Great Delight is a book published in 2021, which surrounds a Muslim family after the events of 9/11. The book focuses on the daughter (Shadi) in this family, and how the events of 9/11 has affected her life; and the social impacts it has on her. This book demonstrates examples of racism and hate Muslims experienced after 9/11, even years in the future. An Emotion of Great Delight highlights the struggles Muslim people experienced after 9/11, often with people grouping Muslims with hateful people. The book is unfortunately at high risk for being banned with its heavy themes, but this ban will further the erasure Muslims have experienced with hate from 9/11.
I’m Not Dying with You Tonight by Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal
I’m Not Dying With You Tonight is about two teen girls (Campbell and Lena). Both teen girls are two different races. The book focuses on the different aspects of racism in the girls' lives. When chaos erupts through the eyes of hate, the two girls have no choice but to rely on each other if they’re going to survive the events. Throughout the book we see the two girls' points of view, as the events of the hateful night play out in front of them. This book is an example of how quickly hate escalates, and highlights the racism Black Americans experience everywhere. I’m Not Dying With You Tonight is challenged for its heavy topics, especially teenagers' experiences, but while it’s a book, these events happen often and cannot be ignored.
The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a book focusing on a fifteen-year-old boy (Charlie), who has just entered highschool. Charlie is grief-stricken after two deaths happen in his life including one caused by suicide, and he struggles socially, being called a “Wallflower”, due to his constant observation. As the year progresses Charlie gains friends and is progressing socially and mentally, but the more things that happen socially, the more anxiety this produces for Charlie. Repressed trauma causes Charlie to attempt suicide, when his parents bring him to a mental hospital; and the book ends with Charlie saying he’s going to focus on his life, and stop writing letters to someone who doesn’t exist. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a book about mental health in teenagers, and just how severe mental illness can get unrecognized. Mental health in teenagers is often brushed off as “hormones” and “just a part of growing up”, but trauma, anxiety, and depression in teenagers is real, and by government erasure it will only go unseen.
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison is a novel taking place in the 1940s about a young black girl's experience with racism and the societal pressure to conform to white beauty standards. This leads her to profound self-hatred and a sense of being unworthy. The novel critiques how societal beauty standards, particularly those prioritizing whiteness, can be deeply damaging and dehumanizing, especially to minoritized communities. This novel should remain available because it offers a critical exploration of race and societal beauty standards that is essential for understanding American history. This exploration of racial self-hatred and the impact of systemic racism is an important conversation that many young readers need to engage with. Banning the book would prevent readers from confronting the realities of racism, and limits opportunities for students to confront these uncomfortable yet necessary truths. And in doing so, it silences a crucial narrative about the Black experience.
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Animal Farm by George Orwell is a political allegory that critiques the dangers of totalitarianism and the corruption of power. The story takes place on a farm where the animals, led by the pigs, overthrow their human owner, Mr. Jones, with the hope of creating a society where all animals are treated equally. They establish the "Seven Commandments" to guide their new society, with the central motto being "All animals are equal." However, as time passes, the pigs begin to take on more power, gradually manipulating the other animals to serve their own interests. They alter the commandments to justify their growing privileges, and over time, the pigs become indistinguishable from the humans they initially rebelled against. Orwell’s novel powerfully demonstrates how political ideals can be corrupted by those in power, showing how the pursuit of equality can be subverted into a cycle of exploitation. Animal Farm should not be banned because it offers valuable lessons on the dangers of political corruption and the abuse of power. Banning it would deprive readers of an important opportunity to engage with themes that remain relevant today, teaching them about history, inequality, and the consequences of unchecked authority.
Brave New World By Aldous Huxley
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is a novel set in a futuristic society where technology and state control dictate every aspect of life. In this world, people are genetically engineered and artificially conditioned to fit into predetermined social roles, ensuring stability and happiness through consumerism and mindless pleasure. The novel follows Bernard Marx, an outsider who feels alienated by the society’s superficiality, and John, a "savage" raised outside the controlled society, who is brought into the World State. As Bernard and John question the values of this society, they grapple with the loss of individuality and freedom in exchange for stability and comfort. The novel explores themes of control, conformity, and the conflict between individuality and societal pressure. Through this, Huxley critiques the dangers of a world where technology and consumerism strip away the essence of human experience. In a world increasingly shaped by technology, Brave New World prompts essential discussions about the balance between progress and personal freedom. Banning the book would suppress these critical conversations and prevent readers from considering the ethical implications of modern society. Instead of censorship, the novel should be embraced as an important tool for encouraging awareness about the potential risks of a future dominated by technological and societal control.
The Giver by Lois Lowry
The Giver by Lois Lowry, displays a dystopian world where individuality, emotions, and memories have been erased to create a “perfect” society. A little boy Jonas is chosen to be the Receiver of Memory. He begins to uncover the disturbing truth behind his community’s enforced sameness. As he learns about pain, love, and free will, he is faced with the choice to accept the bland existence assigned to him or fight for true humanity. This book challenges readers to question authority and explore themes of freedom and suppression; it has consistently been challenged and banned for its discussions of death, control, and the darker parts of human nature. Rather than nurturing young minds, removing The Giver from schools only prevents important discussions on freedom and the importance of questioning oppressive systems
Slaughterhouse Five By Kurt Vonnegut
Slaughterhouse-Five tells a story of Billy Pilgrim, a man who becomes unstuck in time when he sees and experiences the horrors of World War II, specifically the bombing of Dresden. This novel by Kurt Vonnegut has a history of being challenged and banned in many educational settings across the US due to its portrayal of violence, death, suffering, and anti-war stance. Many critics have argued that the explicit language, anti-religious themes, and depiction of human suffering make it unsuitable for a learning environment. The censorship of this novel limits conversation on the impact of violence and the need for empathy in a world still struggling with the consequences of war.