“My favorite banned book is ‘Of Mice and Men.’ It has been contested due to the racial slurs and profanity throughout the book. Acts of violence are also central to the plot. Even with these characteristics, the book should not be banned because it is depicting a realistic slice of daily life during the Great Depression. The language realistically depicts how the people spoke at that time. I like the book because in its 107 pages, John Steinbeck creates a strong picture of loyalty and friendship between two men. It is a story that shows that any person’s life can change drastically in a moment. It is a novel that leaves a lasting impact on all readers, making them wonder what they would do if faced with the circumstances of Lennie and George.” -English teacher Linda Hindman

“My favorite banned book is ‘1984’.
What I like about ‘1984’ is how it uses its characters and plot to get across a powerful message. ‘1984’ was contested for its political themes.
‘1984’ should not be banned due to its educational value in society. It’s books like ‘1984’ that spark meaningful conversations and teach us what to look out for in everyday life. When you take books like that away you take away lessons from people who may need it.” -junior Maddie Lowers

“I have so many favorites, but two that are very important to me are ‘Catcher in the Rye’ by JD Salinger and ‘1984’ by George Orwell.  I first read Catcher in an English class in junior high school and have re-read it many times. Was it advanced for junior high? Yes. Could I relate to some of the insecurities and struggles of a teenage character that helped me see truths? Absolutely. I’ll never forget Holden Caulfield. As for ‘1984’, I also read it in high school and then taught it later as a high school teacher. It’s one of the most important books of modern times and is a cautionary tale that citizens of a free society should read now more than ever. Catcher has been banned and challenged for decades because of language, adult themes, mention of suicide, drinking, smoking, etc. ‘1984’ has been banned and challenged for the sexual relationship, disturbing dystopian content, the belief that it depicted the Soviet Union, and for being anti-authoritarian. Neither of these books should be banned. For Catcher, kids need to see other kids like them struggling with mental health and bad decision making, struggling to make connections and feeling.” -English teacher Connie Colvin

“My favorite banned book is ‘The Color Purple’ by Alice Walker because of the way it was written. It’s written as a series of letters to both God and the protagonist’s sister, Nettie. It’s an interesting book to read and shows the bond that family can have. The book was contested because it talks about sexuality, racial oppression and drug abuse. I don’t think this book should be banned because it shows the growth of the main character, and how she realizes that she has a lot more power over her life than she thought, as well as what the community around her does to make a difference.” -senior Kara Pascerella 

“‘Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close’ by Jonathan Safran Foer. It is everything. Quite literally, it is everything. It is inventive, creative, unrelenting, hilarious, challenging. Everything. It doesn’t shy away from crude words or ideas. It embraces them. It should not only not be banned, it should be taught and embraced and read and internalized and shared. It can change the reader, but to do that, it must take the reader to new places. Don’t be afraid of new ideas.” -English teacher Andrew Moore

“My favorite banned book is ‘Fight Club’ by Chuck Palahniuk because it’s a rough, harsh critique of toxic masculinity and the world’s obsession with material possessions. It manages to be hilarious and intriguing while still being a meaningful satire. The book was contested because it covers heavy themes like violence, sexual content and other taboo themes. ‘Fight Club’ is an important look on how toxic masculinity can lead to disastrous consequences for everyone, including the perpetrator. Everyone should read it to see not only how gender roles can go too far, but also how to watch for warning signs of someone who doesn’t have your best interest in mind.”-senior Liliana Parsons

“My favorite banned book is ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee because it is told through a child’s perspective which adds an interesting flare to the book. It was contested because of the use of racial slurs. I believe it shouldn’t be banned because, during this time period, racial slurs were spoken frequently. We shouldn’t sugar coat history, we should learn from it. If the school system is frightened by the use of foul language, they are taking away education. The book should only be offered for older and more mature kids, but banning it takes away from the learning process and is not fair to them.”- junior Nikki Rather

“My favorite banned book is ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee. I love the character Atticus Finch. He is one of my favorite literary characters because he teaches his children about love, compassion for others, and not to be judgmental. He does this through his own actions. I believe it was contested because of the fact there was the crime of rape committed, as well as racial questions. It should not be banned because it shows how humans can be judgmental, discriminatory and cruel. We need to see characters like Atticus Finch and how he teaches his children to be better and do better.”-English teacher Sandy Butcher

“‘The Outsiders’ by S. E. Hinton is my favorite banned book because the characters are relatable and luckily it was written by a teenager for teenagers. The book’s depiction of growing up too fast (and) some mature themes definitely made it most relatable and what I believe is the main reason for it (to) be considered a coming-of-age novel. I think it was contested for its mature themes, like gang violence and alcohol use, which are things that happen in the real world, so I don’t think it should be banned.” -sophomore Gavin Simonton

“It is very difficult to choose just one book from the banned book list, so I chose one that is likely lesser known. ‘A Child Called “It”’ by Dave Pelzer is an unforgettable story about severe child abuse and neglect. I read this book in high school, and it has always stayed with me. It opened my eyes to the realities others may face in their daily lives, while also making me eternally grateful for the life I have been given. This book was contested due to violence and profanity. Banning a book because of these topics does not make the issue go away. Instead, it raises awareness and opens up dialogue surrounding sensitive topics. ‘A Child Called “It”’ by Dave Pelzer is an important story that deserves to be read and discussed. It ignites meaningful conversations just like all of the books on the banned book list. Banned Book Week is held from October 5-11, 2025, with the event called ‘Censorship is So 1984 – Read for Your Rights.’”-Librarian Sheena Dotson