The act of banning books has been around for centuries and has been a big issue throughout time. The first book ban that took place in the United States was New English Canaan by Thomas Mortonn in 1637 in Massachusetts.

Books can be banned for a number of reasons. In Pennsylvania alone there are more than 450 books banned from schools and public libraries. Just during the 2021-2022 school year more than 1,600 books have been banned across the U.S. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is one of the most challenged books of 2021 and 2022.

Recently, in states such as Florida, a newfound interest in book banning has once again emerged.. The more literature evolves around cultural and social issues, the more people are feeling the need to ban books that they don’t deem appropriate for students in schools and libraries across the country.

” I think being upfront about the material in the library is the key factor to creating less stigma. The world is uncomfortable. There are so many things in it that will cause discomfort or disgust to talk about but the fact of the matter is, if a student is old enough to ask about it, then they are old enough to be informed on it,” Senior Madison Ruddek expressed.

Ms. Black, an English teacher here at IHS, spoke on the topic stating, ”I think that it [book banning] could negatively  affect a lot of students because teachers teach things that we enjoy and students tend to enjoy as well, and those materials often teach life lessons. Sometimes those life lessons are hard and as a result, so is the material.” 

Another student Abbie Huey, a senior, shared her thoughts as well. “It is important we preserve our history and learn about the past instead of erasing it from our culture. Our history is what creates us and we have to learn from our mistakes to prevent them from happening again.”