While books bring us solace, the best pieces of literature not only comfort us, but also challenge us. Yet across the country, schools are removing classic literature for doing exactly what it is supposed to do: make us think. If we ban books that confront difficult truths, how do we expect students to navigate the world beyond the classroom?
Over the past four years, book banning has become a national phenomenon. According to Pen America, during the 2023-2024 school year, there was a near 200% surge in school book bans with 10,000 book bans affecting over 4,000 titles.
Both the political left and right are leading campaigns to pull books out of the curriculum which ensures that children will not be exposed to complex topics necessary for building critical thinking skills.
Many of these book banning campaigns have targeted classic books, claiming that they deal with topics that are not appropriate for schools, such as racism and sexually explicit content. These classic books have been literary staples in American curricula and are examples of strong literature.
“Their Eyes Were Watching God.” “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” These are not dangerous books. They are mirrors of social issues. Warnings. Invitations to think. Literary staples that were once used to build critical thinking are now being vilified for their candid portrayals of racism, mental health, abuse and inequality. These are the very themes that make the books worth reading.
According to the American Literary Association, 72% of pressure groups and government entities endorse book banning, which shows just how prevalent this issue is, especially on a national scale.
At CESJDS, books are not banned; rather, they are taught, analyzed and discussed to bring awareness to the topics that are covered. Our classrooms and Media Center remain places where students are able to engage with challenging literature and wrestle with difficult questions. We are fortunate to be a part of an institution that values open dialogue and intellectual freedom.
That is not something to take for granted — it is something to advocate for in other institutions.
When we read classic literature in school, we are not just learning how to analyze a plot or identify a theme. We are learning how to evaluate historical context, grapple with moral complexity and form our own opinions, which students at other schools do not get the chance to do. These are skills that shape thoughtful, informed citizens. If we avoid hard conversations in the classroom, we won’t know how to make the world a better place.
The impulse to protect children by removing difficult content may seem well-intended, but it does more harm than good. Society is far from perfect and students need to build resilience early and learn about difficult topics. Literature offers a safe place to explore uncomfortable truths and gain insight into human experience. Classic books are essential for education.
Instead of banning books, we should encourage students to read them and talk about them. Teach students why the topics in these books are complicated or uncomfortable, instead of ignoring them all together.
The solution to discomfort is not silence; it’s conversation. In a world where so many voices are silenced and dismissed, our commitment to literary freedom is more important than ever.
