Updated March 2026
Critics say banned books are dangerous. But research (and real-life experience) show that when kids read freely, they learn more than just vocabulary. They learn empathy, critical thinking, and how to find their place in the world.
Update: March 2026
This post was originally published in October 2025. Since then, the fight over what kids are allowed to read has escalated at the federal level.
On February 24, 2026, H.R. 7661 was introduced in Congress. The American Library Association has denounced the bill, calling it a broad attempt to give politicians authority over what stories are allowed on library shelves.
ALA President Sam Helmick put it plainly: "parents, not politicians, should guide their children's reading."
This isn't a hypothetical debate anymore. If you care about the freedom to read and the right of families to make these decisions for themselves now is the time to pay attention.
You can call your members of Congress at the Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121 and ask them to oppose H.R. 7661.
Everything below still holds. If anything, it matters more now than when I first wrote it.
Why Are Books Banned?
Book bans often stem from discomfort.
Parents, school boards, or community leaders object to language, sexual content, violence, or topics related to race, gender, or politics. The goal, they say, is to “protect” children. But protecting kids from complexity may be hurting them more than helping.
Let’s be honest: book bans aren’t about protecting children. They’re about controlling narratives.
Book bans often originate from fear. Fear of change, fear of difference, and fear of the unknown.
But books are where many kids find themselves for the first time. Telling them certain stories are not ok sends a dangerous message about whose lives are worthy of exploration.
Building Empathy, Critical Thinking, and Identity
Critics often claim that banned books are harmful for young readers.
Research shows the opposite.
Books that tackle complex topics like White Bird: A Wonder Story, Diary of Anne Frank, or All Boys Aren’t Blue help kids:
- Build empathy by experiencing lives different from their own
- Think critically about systems, power, and justice
- Navigate their own identities with honesty and self-acceptance
In trying to “protect” kids from hard topics, bans often rob them of exactly what they need to thrive in a diverse, complicated world.
What the Research Says
1. Reading Controversial Topics Promotes Empathy
According to a 2013 study published in Science, reading literary fiction (particularly stories that explore difficult or controversial issues) increases a reader’s capacity for empathy.
Characters in banned books often face moral dilemmas, oppression, or identity crises, helping kids better understand people who are different from them.
Examples:
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas opens discussions on race and police brutality.
- Melissa by Alex Gino helps young readers explore gender identity and acceptance.
Books are sometimes banned because they show the world as it is, but that’s exactly why we need them.
2. Complex Stories Build Critical Thinking
Banned books often present layered narratives with multiple perspectives. This challenges readers to question, analyze, and make their own decisions skills central to healthy development.
A study from the American Psychological Association found that exposure to complex literature supports analytical reasoning and helps young readers weigh multiple viewpoints, a necessary skill in our polarized world.
Discussion questions that emerge from banned books:
- Is the narrator trustworthy?
- Why did this character make that choice?
- What would I have done?
Emotional Growth and Identity
Books like Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson or Drama by Raina Telgemeier give voice to teen experiences like trauma, assault, or coming out. Topics many adults feel are “too mature.” But silence doesn’t make hard realities go away.
Reading Helps Kids Feel Less Alone
When kids see themselves (or someone like them) in a story, they realize they’re not weird or broken. That’s a powerful message for mental health.
When a kid reads a book and says, ‘I didn’t know it was okay to feel like that until I read this book.’ That’s everything.
The Myth of Protection
The idea of banning a book assumes that not reading it will “protect” a child. But in a digital age, kids are more likely to encounter sensitive topics outside the classroom in forums, TikToks, or DMs without guidance or context.
Banning a book sends the message that the topic itself is shameful or wrong. Discussing these books in school instead:
- Builds trust between adults and students
- Creates safe, structured spaces for hard conversations
- Gives kids the tools to navigate complexity, not hide from it.
When we ban books, we silence conversations. We’re not just removing content we’re removing the opportunity to think critically.
What Can Parents and Educators Do?
- Read the book yourself before forming an opinion.
- Talk to your kids about what they’re reading.
- Frame banned books as an invitation to deeper discussion.
- Advocate for access to diverse literature in school libraries.
If you're looking for a starting point, here's our list of 20 classics I want my kids to read this year several of which have appeared on banned book lists.
Takeaway
Letting kids read banned books doesn’t corrupt them it empowers them. These stories help young readers build empathy, question the world around them, and see themselves reflected on the page. Far from dangerous, these books can be the lifeline that helps a child feel seen, understood, and inspired.
In a time when books are being challenged and banned with alarming frequency, picking up a title that’s been deemed “inappropriate” or “dangerous” can feel like a rebellious act. And honestly? It is.
Reading banned books isn’t just about consuming stories that some want hidden. It’s about actively resisting censorship, defending intellectual freedom, and asserting that all voices deserve to be heard.
Whether you're a parent, educator, teen, or simply a curious reader cracking open a banned book is more than a pastime. It’s a powerful form of resistance.
For more on why the books we put in kids' hands matter, read our breakdown of the 2026 Newbery Medal winners and why these stories for young readers matter more than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are books banned?
Books are most often banned or challenged because of content related to race, gender identity, sexuality, language, or violence. The objections typically come from parents, school boards, or community groups who believe the material is inappropriate for young readers. In practice, bans tend to disproportionately target books by and about people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and marginalized communities.
Are banned books good for kids?
Research says yes. Studies show that reading complex, challenging literature builds empathy, strengthens critical thinking, and helps young people navigate their own identities. Removing these books doesn't protect kids — it removes the opportunity for guided conversations about difficult but real topics.
What do kids learn from banned books?
Kids who read challenged books develop stronger empathy by experiencing lives different from their own, sharpen their critical thinking by engaging with moral complexity, and often find representation that helps them feel less alone. These are skills that matter far beyond the classroom.
What is H.R. 7661?
H.R. 7661, introduced in Congress on February 24, 2026, would restrict federal education funding for schools that provide materials deemed "sexually oriented" to anyone under 18. The American Library Association has denounced the bill as a broad attempt to give politicians control over what stories appear on school library shelves.
How can I support the freedom to read?
Call your members of Congress at (202) 224-3121 and ask them to oppose H.R. 7661 and support the Right to Read Act. You can also advocate for diverse literature in your local school libraries, attend school board meetings, and support organizations like the American Library Association that fight book bans.
