When adults decide a book is “too much” for kids and pull it off the shelf, they may think they’re protecting young readers. But ask the kids themselves, and you’ll hear a very different story.

Every year, books are challenged and removed from schools and libraries across the United States. The titles most often targeted tell stories about race, gender, sexuality, and inequality—the very issues young people are grappling with as they come of age. When these stories are silenced, we lose opportunities to learn, connect, and grow.

Starting a Banned Books Club is a powerful way to bring students together, spark meaningful conversations, and take action against censorship. If you’ve ever wanted a space to read, discuss, and celebrate books that others have tried to silence, here’s a step-by-step guide to creating one at your school.

Every year, hundreds of books are challenged or removed from classrooms and libraries. But why? What makes a book so “controversial” that some people try to keep it off the shelves? The truth is, books are banned for many reasons—but they all come down to fear of ideas and voices that challenge the status quo. Here are the most common reasons books get banned in the U.S. today: