The whole book banning thing is a little weird in 2026, IMO. It's exciting to think about, we all liked Fahrenheit 451, but a book not being bought for elementary schools doesn't really make it "banned" IMO.
There are a lot of books which probably shouldn't be in schools. I don't think children should be given copies of Mein Kampf or Camp of Saints, nor the random dark fantasy novels which are so popular today.
It feels disingenuous to pretend that school-book-choice is anything comparable to government level "book banning" when literally any of the books written about in that article can be freely checked out from any public library in the country.
As a parent, I believe there is no book that should be banned from being used by a teacher for instruction. I have the responsibility of ensuring that the school my child attends employs teachers who I trust to make effective and age-appropriate curriculum decisions.
I feel like you're making a silly distinction. I mean, we ban cigarette use for minors because it's bad for them.. are you against that too? You're admitting that you think certain books are inappropriate for kids, but saying that we shouldn't do anything about preventing their use in schools.. why?
Not every kid goes to a school with wonderful teachers. I think banning books for use in schools is justifiable.
So you're saying if a teacher decides to use a book in class that's wholly inappropriate for the age group they're teaching we should ban the teacher, not the book?
I suppose that makes sense. But if the book in question is still available in the school library for any 7 year old to read or check out isn't that still a potential problem?
> I believe there is no book that should be banned from being used by a teacher for instruction
This is an insane opinion. In the same way, I care about what movies, music, YouTube videos my children consume because they all can have a massive impact on a child's development.
Disingenuous framing. Book bans remove books from school libraries. A book sitting on a shelf is not giving a book to someone.
> of Mein Kampf or Camp of Saints
Why not? Genuinely, why not? What will happen if children have access to words on a printed page? Most of them have access to a supercomputer in their pocket.
To make my stance clear in case it’s not: there is no such thing as “age appropriate literature.” A free society depends on intellectual freedom. Restricting school libraries from holding certain books is a tactic to raise children to be closed minded adults.
The banned books are things like "All Boys Aren't Blue", a book which describes incestuous child rape and provides step by step instructions for anal sex.
If you think that book belongs in public schools the FBI should have a look at your computer.
It describes incestuous child rape, because the author describes his experience of being raped.
Victims speaking about their abuse, now that is one step too far and needs to be censored.
The US list one (1) banned book in a earlier version (Operation Dark Heart) because of national security.
>The first, uncensored printing of 9,500 copies was purchased for $47,300 in early September and destroyed by the publisher at the request of the Pentagon
The whole book banning thing is a little weird in 2026, IMO. It's exciting to think about, we all liked Fahrenheit 451, but a book not being bought for elementary schools doesn't really make it "banned" IMO.
There are a lot of books which probably shouldn't be in schools. I don't think children should be given copies of Mein Kampf or Camp of Saints, nor the random dark fantasy novels which are so popular today.
It feels disingenuous to pretend that school-book-choice is anything comparable to government level "book banning" when literally any of the books written about in that article can be freely checked out from any public library in the country.
As a parent, I believe there is no book that should be banned from being used by a teacher for instruction. I have the responsibility of ensuring that the school my child attends employs teachers who I trust to make effective and age-appropriate curriculum decisions.
I feel like you're making a silly distinction. I mean, we ban cigarette use for minors because it's bad for them.. are you against that too? You're admitting that you think certain books are inappropriate for kids, but saying that we shouldn't do anything about preventing their use in schools.. why?
Not every kid goes to a school with wonderful teachers. I think banning books for use in schools is justifiable.
So you're saying if a teacher decides to use a book in class that's wholly inappropriate for the age group they're teaching we should ban the teacher, not the book?
I suppose that makes sense. But if the book in question is still available in the school library for any 7 year old to read or check out isn't that still a potential problem?
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> I believe there is no book that should be banned from being used by a teacher for instruction
This is an insane opinion. In the same way, I care about what movies, music, YouTube videos my children consume because they all can have a massive impact on a child's development.
4 replies →
How do we ensure schools employ only teachers we trust? Whats the criteria and initial/review process?
Also, teachers are human. They change views and opinions like the rest of us. What guarantees they don't break that trust?
1 reply →
> I don't think children should be given copies
Disingenuous framing. Book bans remove books from school libraries. A book sitting on a shelf is not giving a book to someone.
> of Mein Kampf or Camp of Saints
Why not? Genuinely, why not? What will happen if children have access to words on a printed page? Most of them have access to a supercomputer in their pocket.
To make my stance clear in case it’s not: there is no such thing as “age appropriate literature.” A free society depends on intellectual freedom. Restricting school libraries from holding certain books is a tactic to raise children to be closed minded adults.
> there is no such thing as “age appropriate literature.”
Would you be comfortable with a 5 year old reading "Morning Glory, Milking Farm"?
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How about letting the professional educators figure it out instead of emotionally-charged propaganda-fueled activists and their cynical politicians?
What's wrong with "dark fantasy novels"?
Context:
https://www.npr.org/2025/06/29/nx-s1-5428227/readers-flock-t...
https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/culture/a61623350/s...
https://www.statsignificant.com/p/how-romance-romantasy-and-...
E.g., not child appropriate.
Banned in public schools...
The banned books are things like "All Boys Aren't Blue", a book which describes incestuous child rape and provides step by step instructions for anal sex.
If you think that book belongs in public schools the FBI should have a look at your computer.
It describes incestuous child rape, because the author describes his experience of being raped. Victims speaking about their abuse, now that is one step too far and needs to be censored.
I knew there had to be a rational explanation as to why this book was chosen as a "bad book'.
What is wrong with teens learning about anal sex? It's not like not having the information is going to stop them from doing it, if that's your goal.
So not books banned from the general public? Got it!
If you compare that list of "really banned" books, it sounds like creating a European portal would be a net negative.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_books_banned_by_govern...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_books_banned_by_govern...
The US list one (1) banned book in a earlier version (Operation Dark Heart) because of national security.
>The first, uncensored printing of 9,500 copies was purchased for $47,300 in early September and destroyed by the publisher at the request of the Pentagon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Dark_Heart
Banned in the same way you don't show certificate 18 films to 6 year olds.