"If one kid gets to read the book and feel less alone or gain more compassion for others before it's pulled from the shelves, it’s worth it" – Jo Knowles, author of See You at Harry’s
The first book I read where a main character died was Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. It was the summer before 5th grade, and my family had just moved from a sizable city to a tiny town whose population ticked up to 94 once we moved in. I was lonely, missing my friends, and anxious about starting a new school where I did not know anyone.
Thankfully, there was a bookmobile stop in the church at the town’s single intersection, so I spent most of my lonely summer in the company of books. I read Bridge to Terabithia while sitting in the crook of an old oak tree behind our house. When I got to that part of the book, where the character I identified with the most died, I got out of the tree and into the house. Once in my room, I threw myself on the bed and sobbed out all the loss and fear and hurt I had been bottling up since we moved.
When Mom came home from work and found me, still sniffling, I told her about the book and how it made me feel, and I finally told her how I really felt about the move. I apologized for my feelings; as the oldest, I assumed it was my job to keep it together so my parents did not worry, and my little sister was not afraid. Mom comforted me, helped me process what I was feeling, and reassured me that being the oldest did not mean that I had to hide my feelings when things were hard. Looking back, I do not think I would have opened up to my mom without Bridge to Terabithia forcing me to acknowledge how bad I felt about the move.
I didn’t realize at the time how fortunate I was that Bridge to Terabithia was on the bookmobile for me to read. Later that year, parents in Lincoln, Nebraska (the city we moved from) challenged the title's place on the 6th grade reading list for Lincoln Public Schools*. They wanted it removed because of “offensive language, references to religion and atheism,” and claims that it “promotes the occult” because the two main characters fantasize about living in an imaginary kingdom. Parents also expressed concern about the death in the book, because it was “distressing, upsetting, and inappropriate for children.” It's true, that book distressed and upset me. It was also exactly what I needed at the time.
“By engaging with banned books, we broaden our understanding of the world and contribute to a more informed and engaged society.” - Janice R., Librarian at Aberdeen & Amanda Park Timberland Libraries.
In 2023, more books were challenged than at any time before in our country’s history. Most of the books challenged, especially those for younger audiences, dealt with racism or had BIPOC or LGBTQIA+ characters. For some kids, in reading those books they see themselves in the characters, who are dealing with the same kinds of challenges in the book that the kids are facing in the real world. Those kids gain confidence that challenges can be overcome, and they are comforted knowing they are not alone. For other kids, in reading these books they see lives that they themselves are not living but that they now understand are lives being lived - by their classmates, by their friends, by that stranger passing by. The feelings those kids experience while reading nourishes the empathy and compassion growing in their souls.
Celebrate Banned Books Week by reading one of the books for Kids and Teens from the lists below. See how it feels to learn about the lives of people different than you, and how it feels to see yourself reflected in the story. Just like Bridge to Terabithia was the book I needed when I was a kid, see if one of these books could be one that you need right now.
*Happily, when I called Lincoln Public Schools to ask what ended up happening with the challenge, their Director of Libraries reassured me that the challenge was denied and the book remained on the 6th grade reading list and in the school libraries. Nice job, LPS!
Washington Reads Freely
Celebrate the freedom to read by sharing your story of what reading freely means to you in this survey.
TRL Events Celebrating Banned Books Week
Pints & Prose Literary Society – Silent Read 9/18 This event is located OFFSITE at Steam Donkey Brewing 101 E Wishkah Street, Aberdeen, WA 98520 6:30 – 8 pm Suggested books are Main Books: To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee AND The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Side Quests: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, Banned Book Club by Hyun Sook Kim, and The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson. *Super Bonus Book: This Book is Banned by Raj Haldar
Book Babies, opens a new window: Celebrate Banned Books Week with The Family Book by Todd Parr 9/24 & 9/26 11:00 a.m. at the Lacey Timberland Library.
Timberland Regional Library supports everyone's right to read freely. Books provide windows into the lives of those who are different, and mirrors reflecting people just like we are. We gain comfort, increase empathy, and celebrate the diversity that makes us strong when we read these books. Learn more about fighting for the freedom to read by clicking the link at the bottom of this list.
Timberland Regional Library supports everyone's right to read freely. Books provide windows into the lives of those who are different, and mirrors reflecting people just like we are. We gain comfort, increase empathy, and celebrate the diversity that makes us strong when we read these books. Learn more about fighting for the freedom to read by clicking the link at the bottom of this list.
