Mandie Caroll
Common Sense Media Editor, Books
We Support the Freedom to Read
During Banned Books Week, Common Sense stands for empowering kids to choose what to read.
Topics: Quality Media
Common Sense News
The battle over which books kids have access to in schools and public libraries across the United States is escalating at an alarming rate. According to the American Library Association (ALA), during the first eight months of 2023, 3,923 book titles were challenged. That's a 20% increase from the same reporting period in 2022—and last year was already up 32% from 2021.
Most of these books are written by authors or feature characters who are people of color or are part of LGBTQIA+ communities. Others are classics like The Great Gatsby and Moby Dick. Parents and advocacy groups have increasingly been challenging individual book titles for the last several years, and new state laws and regulations have mandated the removal of certain types of books from schools and libraries.
Some parents or educators feel that they need to protect children from behavior that they deem morally offensive, or language that they consider racially insensitive. Or they think a book's content is too violent or too sexual, or goes against their personal values. But we don't think adults making decisions for other people's children is the right way to address these concerns—and neither do most parents. According to EveryLibrary and Book Riot's recent survey of parents' opinions on book banning and their trust in public libraries: "A majority of respondents (67%) think that 'banning books is a waste of time,' and 74% agree or somewhat agree that book bans infringe on their right to make decisions for their children. The survey also found that 92% of all respondents feel their child/children are safe at the library, and 58% think librarians should be primarily responsible for what books are selected in the public library."
Banned and challenged books deal with subjects that are realistic, timely, and topical. Young people deserve to see their own experiences, identities, and communities reflected in the books they read. Life complexities shouldn't be kept from children and teens; books can be used as tools to help them talk with adults about their developing values and opinions. Book bans pose a threat to freedom of speech and choice—freedoms that are worth standing up for. That's why we oppose book bans.
Common Sense Media's book ratings and reviews are tools to help parents and educators make informed decisions about their media choices for kids and students. They should never be used to limit content in libraries or schools. We want to encourage parents to engage with and be aware of what their kids are interested in, to help guide and expose them to new and different media, and to be prepared to have conversations about the themes that arise. We use several factors to evaluate age appropriateness when considering content for kids, which is why our reviews include an age-rating category.
We know that some parents and caregivers could use our ratings to make decisions for their families that could shield or prohibit kids and teens from being exposed to certain types of content. But our hope is that, instead, families will use all types of media as teaching tools to start conversations and address big issues head-on.
At Common Sense Media, we think reading "banned" books offers kids and families the chance to celebrate reading and promote open access to ideas, both of which are keys to raising lifelong readers who approach the world with curiosity and empathy. Libraries, classrooms, and homes are places where students should be able to have healthy discussions about complex issues, including racism, sexism, homophobia, and many more. Books can—and should—spark these important conversations.
Visit our list of frequently challenged and banned books to find titles that will help your family celebrate the freedom to read. Reading a banned book can be a valuable learning experience for everyone.
Common Sense Media supports the organizations who are working every day against book bans, including Unite Against Book Bans, ALA, First Book, Diverse Books for All, PEN America, the Authors Guild, the National Coalition Against Censorship, and EveryLibrary. It's also worth noting that, in a recent show of support, more than 175 Hollywood artists signed a letter denouncing the banning of books in the United States.
Want to get involved yourself? Common Sense Media supports readers everywhere in standing together in the fight against book bans. Here are a few ways to defend kids' right to read:
- Sign ALA's Freedom to Read Statement (The Freedom to Read Statement | Advocacy, Legislation & Issues).
- Join Unite Against Book Bans.
- Teens anywhere in the United States can get an e-library card to access Brooklyn Library's Books Unbanned program or Seattle Public Library's Books Unbanned program.
- Get involved with Banned Books Week.
- Speak with your kids' teachers and school librarians. Are books being challenged? Ask what you can do to support access to books at your kids' school(s).
- Search for and follow book banning stories in your local news media. Go to local school board and library board meetings in person or virtually, and speak up if the subject of book bans comes up.
- If your budget allows, buy frequently banned books for the young people in your lives—or for teachers, schools, and nonprofits that serve kids in your community.
We know there are many demands on parents and caregivers in today's world. Common Sense Media is here to help them make informed media choices for their families and to empower them to protect their freedom of choice when it comes to the books their kids read.
The battle over which books kids have access to in schools and public libraries across the United States is escalating at an alarming rate. According to the American Library Association (ALA), during the first eight months of 2023, 3,923 book titles were challenged. That's a 20% increase from the same reporting period in 2022—and last year was already up 32% from 2021.
Most of these books are written by authors or feature characters who are people of color or are part of LGBTQIA+ communities. Others are classics like The Great Gatsby and Moby Dick. Parents and advocacy groups have increasingly been challenging individual book titles for the last several years, and new state laws and regulations have mandated the removal of certain types of books from schools and libraries.
Some parents or educators feel that they need to protect children from behavior that they deem morally offensive, or language that they consider racially insensitive. Or they think a book's content is too violent or too sexual, or goes against their personal values. But we don't think adults making decisions for other people's children is the right way to address these concerns—and neither do most parents. According to EveryLibrary and Book Riot's recent survey of parents' opinions on book banning and their trust in public libraries: "A majority of respondents (67%) think that 'banning books is a waste of time,' and 74% agree or somewhat agree that book bans infringe on their right to make decisions for their children. The survey also found that 92% of all respondents feel their child/children are safe at the library, and 58% think librarians should be primarily responsible for what books are selected in the public library."
Banned and challenged books deal with subjects that are realistic, timely, and topical. Young people deserve to see their own experiences, identities, and communities reflected in the books they read. Life complexities shouldn't be kept from children and teens; books can be used as tools to help them talk with adults about their developing values and opinions. Book bans pose a threat to freedom of speech and choice—freedoms that are worth standing up for. That's why we oppose book bans.
Common Sense Media's book ratings and reviews are tools to help parents and educators make informed decisions about their media choices for kids and students. They should never be used to limit content in libraries or schools. We want to encourage parents to engage with and be aware of what their kids are interested in, to help guide and expose them to new and different media, and to be prepared to have conversations about the themes that arise. We use several factors to evaluate age appropriateness when considering content for kids, which is why our reviews include an age-rating category.
We know that some parents and caregivers could use our ratings to make decisions for their families that could shield or prohibit kids and teens from being exposed to certain types of content. But our hope is that, instead, families will use all types of media as teaching tools to start conversations and address big issues head-on.
At Common Sense Media, we think reading "banned" books offers kids and families the chance to celebrate reading and promote open access to ideas, both of which are keys to raising lifelong readers who approach the world with curiosity and empathy. Libraries, classrooms, and homes are places where students should be able to have healthy discussions about complex issues, including racism, sexism, homophobia, and many more. Books can—and should—spark these important conversations.
Visit our list of frequently challenged and banned books to find titles that will help your family celebrate the freedom to read. Reading a banned book can be a valuable learning experience for everyone.
Common Sense Media supports the organizations who are working every day against book bans, including Unite Against Book Bans, ALA, First Book, Diverse Books for All, PEN America, the Authors Guild, the National Coalition Against Censorship, and EveryLibrary. It's also worth noting that, in a recent show of support, more than 175 Hollywood artists signed a letter denouncing the banning of books in the United States.
Want to get involved yourself? Common Sense Media supports readers everywhere in standing together in the fight against book bans. Here are a few ways to defend kids' right to read:
- Sign ALA's Freedom to Read Statement (The Freedom to Read Statement | Advocacy, Legislation & Issues).
- Join Unite Against Book Bans.
- Teens anywhere in the United States can get an e-library card to access Brooklyn Library's Books Unbanned program or Seattle Public Library's Books Unbanned program.
- Get involved with Banned Books Week.
- Speak with your kids' teachers and school librarians. Are books being challenged? Ask what you can do to support access to books at your kids' school(s).
- Search for and follow book banning stories in your local news media. Go to local school board and library board meetings in person or virtually, and speak up if the subject of book bans comes up.
- If your budget allows, buy frequently banned books for the young people in your lives—or for teachers, schools, and nonprofits that serve kids in your community.
We know there are many demands on parents and caregivers in today's world. Common Sense Media is here to help them make informed media choices for their families and to empower them to protect their freedom of choice when it comes to the books their kids read.
Mandie Caroll edits book reviews, curates book lists, and geeks out on all things kids' lit as the Editor, Books. Her passion for kids' books was sparked as a teacher, where she witnessed books inspire wonder, provide comfort, and empower her students. After working as a higher education administrator, Mandie earned her MFA in Creative Writing, during which she served as an editorial intern at Common Sense and then became a book and TV reviewer. Before joining the editorial team full time, Mandie wrote and edited app and website content as a content designer/UX Writer. When not at work, Mandie reads YA fantasy, writes (personal essays, memoir, and lengthy but impassioned social media posts), watches the Madalorian or Avatar: The Last Airbender with their preteen, manages wrestling matches at the dog park between her 14lb chihuahua mix and dogs 3-6 times his size, knits stuff, rambles around nature in the East Bay, or bakes passionfruit butter mochi.