Banned Books Week Vocabulary Language Arts

access Noun The right to make use of or take advantage of something. Example: Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information.

ban Verb To forbid the public distribution of something. Example: Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment.

censorship Noun The act of deleting parts of publications or theatrical performances. Banned Books Week draws attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bans of books across the United States.

challenge Noun An objection or question about something’s validity. Example: Individuals challenge books they object to by questioning their right to be on library shelves.

restrict Verb To limit access to something. Example: Fortunately, while some books were banned or restricted, in a majority of cases the books were not banned.