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Children's Literature

Find information about the CSULB University Library's Children's Collection as well as information about children's literature in general.

Banned and Challenged Books

"A book worth banning is a book worth reading"

Everyday books are still being challenged and removed from shelves, libraries, classrooms and reading lists across the USA. Challenged and removed books mean that somewhere a child can no longer access that book.  Challenged books nearly always include content about marginalized groups. Removal of these books remove a child's sense of inclusion and belonging.

This is a direct attack on our intellectual freedoms, First Amendment Rights, and having a democratic society. 

Why Book Banning is Harmful

Book Banning Is Censorship

The most obvious reason why book banning is bad is that it is a form of censorship, the suppression of ideas or information. The First Amendment protects citizens against censorship by the government.

Book Banning Threatens Democracy

Democracy requires educated members of society who can think for themselves to elect leaders who reflect their vaules. Limiting the information available, especially only allowing any specific ideology goes against the very principles the U.S. was founded upon, . Throughout history, censorship has always been one of the first steps to rising authoritarian and tyrannist regimes, where one group or set of ideas is used to oppress all others.

Book Banning Stagnates Society

In an age where much of our infomation comes to us through "bubbles" that confirm any biases we might have, books can help expose us to ideas we might not otherwise come across in our personal feeds or biased news sources. LImiting ourselves to one view willl harm us in an ever-changing global society.

Book Banning Further Isolates Marginalized Populations

The U.S. is a country where people of diverse beliefs and backgrounds have come together yet the stories presented by books and movies are often way less diverse than the populations we see around us. As a result, people with different lived experiences can feel outcast and alone. A lack of diverse people, places, and experiences harms those who are missing from the narrative as well as those who aren't exposed to other stories.  Representation matters!  

Research has shown that teens exposed to sex education have lower instances of teen pregnancy.  Queer teens are less likely to attempt suicide if they are exposed to LGBTQ+ representation in books and media.  Hate crimes against racial and religious groups are lower when people have greater exposure to positive messages about other cultures. Inclusive curricula leads to better academic performance and better health and wellbeing for students of many backgrounds,

Organizations fighting book challenges

Current state of the USA (Learn more about Banned Books):

Ways to fight back

Facing Challenges (how can we respond?):

Banned Books in the CSULB Library

See all of the books listed on ALA's top 100 lists currently available in the CSULB Library:

Talking to Kids about Banned Books

graph showing exponential increase in the number of titles challenged 2000-2023

Top 10 Most Challenged Books 2023

Top (13) Most Challenged Books 2022

ALA Censorship Infographic 2022

infographic showing who initiates challenges, where do challenges take place, books and beyond and censorship on the rise

Banned and Challenged Picture Books

And Tango Makes Three

Where the Wild Things Are

Crown: An Ode to a Fresh Cut

Trombone Shorty

The Lorax

Strega Nona

This Day in June

We Are All Born Free

Banned and Challenged Children's Fiction

Bridge to Terabithia

The Fighting Ground

The Devil's Storybook

The Indian in the Cupboard

The House on Mango Street

The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby (Series)

A Wrinkle in Time

Then Again, Maybe I Won't

Banned and Challenged Children's Nonfiction

cover art

Gender Queer: a Memoir

Most challenged book 2021

Asking about Sex and Growing Up

It's So Amazing!

100 Questions and Answers about AIDS

How Babies Are Made

The Upstairs Room