According to PEN America, nearly 10,000 books have been banned in schools across the United States since the summer of 2021, many of which highlight the diverse experiences of women, people of color, members of the queer community, and other underrepresented voices—the kind of complex and beautiful stories we often bring to readers. Freedom to Read Day of Action offers members of the literary community an opportunity to rally together against banning, which “reached an all-time high in 2023 and continues to happen at an alarming rate.”
In honor of Freedom to Read Day of Action, five members of Lookout’s student staff selected books that guide and inspire them. As practicum member Kennedy Cole writes, “Some of us are afraid to be challenged. Some of us fear change; change is startling and uncomfortable. Some of us readily acknowledge our diversity, but stumble over the words equity and inclusion. Books are primary tools of education, used to teach our history and our lived lives, and to point to potential futures.”
Independent publishers illustrate and uplift the unique voices and diverse experiences of our country—stories more likely to be silenced. At Lookout, that means representing traditionally marginalized voices, and as Bigger Than Bravery editor, Valerie Boyd, always put it, “gate bashing” instead of gatekeeping. And every individual can counteract the effects of growing censorship by reading, and sharing, banned books.
In celebration of the Freedom to Read Day of Action, we selected five of our often-banned favorites:
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
My favorite banned book is The Handmaid’s Tale. I have always been inspired by Margaret Atwood’s style of writing, and I really admire the way she uses speculative fiction to critique real problems in our world. And, unfortunately, I think the specific issues she raises in The Handmaid’s Tale are of increasing relevance to us today. —Caroline Beuley
Order The Handmaid’s Tale here.
Like Water for Chocolate
by Laura Esquivel
Looking at a list of banned books, I was shocked to see Like Water for Chocolate. I actually read it for the first time last year in a speculative fiction workshop taught by Professor Sayantani Dasgupta and was enraptured. The material was challenged in certain high schools for including sexual content. I feel this does a disservice to high school students, who have doubtless heard of sex before and could do with an introduction to the magical realism genre, Latin American (specifically Mexican) literature, and feminist literature.
—Nicole Callahan
Order Like Water for Chocolate here.
Night by Elie Wisel
Elie Wiesel won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986, while I was a junior in high school, for his work as an “eyewitness” and “messenger,” providing the world a direct lens on the Holocaust from his experience as a survivor. To find his unforgettably tragic book, Night, on a banned book list nearly forty years later is heartbreaking. In the preface to the newest edition, we read “Those who kept silent yesterday will remain silent tomorrow.” The irony of this book being banned cannot be overstated when the book itself shows the horror of indifference. Ignoring tragedy perpetuates tragedy. —Natalie Coe
Order Night here.
Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
My favorite banned book is Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe. I love this book for its colorful and meaningful artwork, but mostly I appreciate that it helped me to understand gender differences for my loved one who is dealing with that. It makes me happy to know that they are not alone and that others can read this book to help understand their experience better. I hope this book brings kindness to the world. —Rhonda Waterhouse
Order Gender Queer here.
Hair Love
by Matthew A. Cherry
A banned book that surprised me is Hair Love, a heartwarming story written by Matthew A. Cherry that depicts a Black father helping his young daughter with her hairstyle. After reading that it was banned specifically due to “anti-white” propaganda, I knew that Hair Love would be the book I needed to mention. Not only is Cherry’s story important for people of color across the nation, but it highlights a strong relationship between a Black father and his child—a relationship that ought to be portrayed in all forms of media.
—Kennedy Cole
Order Hair Love here.
Thank you to Lookout staffer Kennedy Cole for her contributions to this roundup.