He has read several books that have been banned by school districts across the country, including “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas and “All American Boys” by Brendan Kiely and Jason Reynolds, both of which deal with police brutality.
“They were really eye-opening,” said Joslyn, an eighth-grader at Kutztown High School. “These are books that make you think.”
As attempts to ban the books increased both in Pennsylvania and in other school districts across the country, Joslyn felt she needed to do something. Like several other teens across the country, she started a banned book club, where members read books that have been banned in schools and then meet regularly to talk about them.
“These books are great works of literature, and I really didn’t understand why so many people wanted to ban them,” Joslyn said. “It’s important that people read these books because it helps them grow.”
For her, the turning point came in late October, when a Texas Republican lawmaker launched an investigation into the state’s school libraries and compiled a list of 850 titles, written primarily about race and sexuality, demanding that schools disclose whether they have the books. .
Local attempts to restrict books have also been on the rise in Pennsylvania. In January, the Kutztown School Board voted narrowly to keep Maia Kobabe’s “Gender Queer: A Memoir” in the high school library, despite protests from some parents and community members.
The growing efforts to challenge the books “forced me to start something where we could talk about forbidden things,” Joslyn said.
Her mother enthusiastically encouraged Joslyn to form her own “Teen Banned Book Club,” which is what they decided to call the group.
“Reading a book about racism doesn’t make you racist and reading a book about gender identity won’t make you transgender,” said Lisa Diffenbaugh. “Reading a book only benefits you.”
With the support of her family, Joslyn approached Firefly Bookstore, a local store, and asked if they would be willing to help facilitate a banned book club for teens.
Instead of starting a book club at school, “we wanted it to be open to kids from other districts, and we wanted the freedom where everyone could express their opinions without anyone saying those opinions are wrong,” Joslyn said.
Members of the bookstore staff were on board immediately.
“All of us here at Firefly Bookstore agree that the book ban is wrong,” said Jordan Busits, a sales associate who offered to help run Joslyn’s book club. “The books are meant to say something about the author himself, who they are or what his world views are, and by banning those books we’re essentially banning his voices.”
Two recent reports highlight the growing movement to ban books in school districts across the country.
Last month, PEN America, a nonprofit organization focused on free speech, released a report that found there have been 1,586 bans on books, many with racial and LGBTQ themes, in US schools. .during the previous nine months.
In the same week, the American Library Association released its annual report on book censorship, which found there were 1,597 book challenges or removals in 2021, marking the highest number in the association’s 20-year history. Most of the titles were written by LGBTQ or black authors.
There’s even a baby book, “Babies Everywhere,” that was placed on a list of books earmarked for retirement in Walton County, Florida.
Book bans have been driven primarily by parents, politicians, and pundits. At the district level, many of the book bans are being done by school administrators in secret, as a way to avoid controversy.
Young people who want the freedom to read a wide variety of subjects have gone their own way, not only starting book clubs, but also filing lawsuits.
“It’s very encouraging to see them come together so they can get the books they deserve,” said Nicole Cardoza, founder of the Banned Books Book Club, a monthly virtual book club, online library and fund to support endangered books. “They deserve to see stories that represent their own lived experiences.”
In addition to hosting monthly book clubs, “we’re also buying books to send to schools and libraries across the United States,” Cardoza said, adding that her organization offers “resources and training” on how to start a book club, so that students like Joslyn have the tools they need.
The Teen Banned Book Club had its first meeting at the Firefly Bookstore in January, and the group of 12 teens has been meeting every other week ever since. The youngest member of the club is in the seventh grade and the oldest is in the tenth grade.
So far, they have read six novels, including “Animal Farm” and “1984” by George Orwell, as well as “Melissa” by Alex Gino and “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You” by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi.
“We made a list of historically banned and recently banned books,” said Joslyn, who consults with Busits and book club members to select titles.
“In the beginning, one of my biggest fears was that no one would come forward, but it’s great to see that people are willing to talk about these tough topics,” Joslyn said, explaining that she was also surprised by the media attention to her initiative. . she has received. “I never thought so many people would be interested in this little book club in this small town.”
When 13-year-old Bridget Johnson found out what the teens were up to, she was eager to join.
“I love the book club,” he said. “It connects through reading and learning, and it’s a really special experience.”
Since participating in the club, Johnson said it doesn’t make sense to her why so many of the books are blacklisted.
“Most of the time, after reading the book, I think, ‘Why was this banned?’ She said.
Jillian Rager, 14, another member of the Teen Banned Book Club, said restricting the material makes it more desirable to young people.
“If you’re going to ban a book, it’s just going to make kids want to read it more,” she said, adding that talking about books with her peers has helped her think more critically about them.
Joslyn said she has also learned a lot and found a diverse group of new friends who share her love of literature.
“There are other book nerds who are really interested in these banned books,” he said. “It gives me hope for the future.”