Banned Books Week is an annual campaign that brings attention to the number of banned or challenged books in schools and libraries. Typically held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week stresses the importance of freedom of speech and ideas through the books we read.
The Shield staff loves banned books as much as we love free speech. In honor of Banned Books Week, here are some of our favorite banned books.
Ian Young, Editor-in-Chief
My favorite banned book is “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee because it explores America’s race inequality issues in one of the most unique and heartbreaking ways, yet still has hope for the future. On top of this, Atticus Finch is one of the greatest characters in fiction, period. Overall, it is a masterpiece of American literature.
Aracely Chavez, News Editor
My favorite banned book is “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros. The novel is uniquely written with a universal message of finding one’s identity and belonging. Many relate to Esperanza’s experiences, and her story is the same feeling of knowing your stories matter too.
Will Kessinger, Sports Editor
My favorite banned book is “1984” by George Orwell. I love the lore and the allusions that it makes to today’s world.
Kai Harris, Visual Editor/Cartoonist
“1984” is my favorite banned book. I enjoy dystopian novels because they highlight how the modern world is far better than we believe it to be, however, their themes warn us of what could happen if we step out of line.
Katie Hurst, Staff Writer
My favorite is “Animal Farm.” I really like the message and the imagery in the book. It’s also funny because it was banned in the U.S. for communist messages but banned in the USSR for capitalistic messages.
Tegan Ruhl, Lifestyle Editor
One of my favorite books of all time is “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky. From the epistle style of the book to the vulnerability Charlie exhibits, I fell in love with Chbosky’s depiction of the difficulties of young adulthood through a coming-of-age story. I make an effort to read this book at least once a year.
Alex Mendoza, Assistant News Editor
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” shows you how to be yourself and enjoy your youth, while also bringing awareness to SA, drug use and various profanities. It shows how bad trauma can be and how it affects the well being of you and those around you. There is also a theme of loving yourself, especially if you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community or in some way disabled. I also just love the whole grunge, alternative angst interpretation in the book and movie, but the book has a great writing style so I’d choose the book over the movie any day. However, the movie was still peak coming-of-age cinema.
Cade Smithson, Staff Writer
“The Call of the Wild” has been my favorite book since I read it in third grade. To me, it’s a timeless classic of self-identity, survival and instinct.
Nico Armeanu, Arts Editor
“Persepolis” covers a very interesting and unstable time in Iranian history, a history that we don’t normally learn about in school. It’s funny, sad, and Satrapi’s personality really shines through. It is truly the perspective of a child experiencing war and revolution.
Izzy Hannon, Photo Editor
“The Handmaid’s Tale” highlights the importance of women’s rights, especially reproductive rights. With the upcoming election, understanding and being educated of the possible repercussions of taking away reproductive freedoms is more important than ever.
Chloe Barrett, Assistant Content Creator
My favorite is “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury because it talks about the future and how the government banned books because they hold knowledge for us to learn. Books were a way to express our freedom that way we would be controlled by TVs and screen time, and we were listening to the big man.
