The Shakespeare Club recently heard a report by Mary Croxton on banned books.

The Shakespeare Club recently heard a report by Mary Croxton on banned books

Croxton noted that attempts to restrict what kids in school read are on the rise but book banning started with the Puritans. The first banned book in the colonies was thought to be Thomas Morton’s “New England Canaan” in 1637. The book was a severe and heretical critique of Puritan customs and power structure. The reason it was banned was because the Puritan government was a theocracy and would not tolerate opposing doctrinal views.

Morton was also critical of the treatment of indigenous people. The Puritan government of the New England town of Quincy, Massachusetts banned the book according to many historians. There are very few copies left. It is not known how the book was destroyed, but possibly the books were burned and many may have been just lost.

Croxton said the right to read is under attack more than it has been in decades. The climate right now for librarians is difficult nationwide. Librarians are facing continually increasing challenges to intellectual freedom and to their core values. The conversation around book bands has been simmering for years. Librarians have been very loud about the issue of challenges and book bans. Recently, the issue boiled over in several New York communities where book challenges made headlines and turned school board meetings into battlegrounds.

While book challenges and other forms of censorship started out in school libraries, these situations are increasingly occurring in public libraries as well.

Books that are challenged include: James and the Giant Peach, Strega Nona, The Adventures of Captain Underpants, Harry Potter, The Giving Tree Exodus (Old Testament), J. K. Rowling, Gary Paulsen, Shel Silversteen and Shakespeare.

Children benefit from reading diverse books. It expands their vocabulary. Different genres and authors use different language exposing children to a wider range of word and enriching their vocabulary.

Children will develop empathy by reading about characters with different backgrounds and experiences, children can learn to understand and relate to others who may be different from them. It helps children to develop critical thinking skills. They will be evaluating different perspectives and viewpoints presented in books. Being exposed to books from different cultures will help children gain a broader understanding of the world around them. They will build self-esteem by seeing characters who reflect their own identity. Offering a variety of books can spark interest and keep children engaged in reading for pleasure.