Middlesex folks urged to read a banned book

by Carrie Dos Santos – 

This past week was National Banned Book Week. During the week, libraries across the United States brought attention to books that have been banned or challenged in library or educational settings throughout the previous year. In 2019, a record 566 books were banned or challenged across the United States. The books and the reasons for the bans and challenges may be surprising to many.

Banned and challenged books typically touch on controversial topics that are in the news today. In 2019, a large number of banned or challenged books tackled religion, racism, and sexual orientation, but even the simple portrayal of children not following school rules are cited as reasons to remove a book from a school or public library. Most challenges come from concerned parents or patrons of a library.

As a whole, the library community recognizes and encourages parents and guardians to take an active interest in what their children are reading…