Book Banning in 21st-Century America

Book Banning in 21st-Century American Libraries argues that understanding contemporary reading practices, especially interpretive strategies, is vital to understanding why people attempt to censor books in schools and public libraries. The book presents a model of how the practice of reading is understood by challengers, including a literal "common sense" orientation to text and an "undisciplined imagination" that allows readers to maintain distance between the events in a text and their own responses.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 186 pages
Publication date: 23 April 2022
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

In the United States, challenges to books, also known as book banning, occur with a certain frequency. Book Banning in 21st-Century American Libraries, based on thirteen contemporary book challenge cases in schools and public libraries across the country, emphasizes the importance of understanding modern reading practices, particularly interpretive strategies, in comprehending the motivations behind book censorship in educational and public institutions.

Previous research on censorship has primarily focused on legal frameworks, historical case studies, and bibliographies of targeted texts, often examining how censorship occurs. Conversely, the current project delves into the underlying reasons behind censorship and posits that many censorship behaviors, such as book challenges, are intricately linked to how one interprets the practice of reading and its impact on character development and behavior. It explores reading as a social practice that has evolved over time, encompassing diverse physical modalities and interpretive strategies.

To understand the motivations behind book challenges, the book presents a model that outlines how challengers perceive the practice of reading. It examines the concept of "what it means" to read a text and emphasizes the construction of "appropriate" reading materials. The book draws from three primary sources of data. The first consists of documents, including requests for reconsideration and letters, obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests to governing bodies, collected during challenge cases. Recordings of book challenge public hearings constitute the second source of data. Finally, the third source of data is interviews with challengers, librarians, and other stakeholders involved in book challenges.

Through these diverse sources, the book provides a comprehensive analysis of book challenges in 21st-century American libraries. It sheds light on the complex dynamics that shape these challenges, including the perspectives of challengers, librarians, and community members. It also offers insights into the broader cultural and societal implications of book censorship, highlighting the importance of preserving intellectual freedom and promoting open dialogue in the face of challenges to literature.

Weight: 281g
Dimension: 219 x 154 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538171127