CBLDF 2015 Banned Books Week Handbook - Fight for the Freedom to read!

Aug 21, 2026

2015 Banned Books Week is framed around defending the freedom to read, with special focus on young adult titles frequently targeted for censorship. The handbook explains how book challenges lead to removal from circulation, why comics, graphic novels, and manga are especially vulnerable, and highlights common allegations such as adult content, language, and sex or nudity. It also outlines CBLDF support and practical ways communities can celebrate and respond to censorship emergencies.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

Director’s Note

Banned Books Week overview

Comics and Censorship

Are books really still banned in the United States?

Why are comics banned?

Which comics are banned?

NNAN Fight for the Freedom to read! |
DIRECTOR’S NOTE | | --- | | Happy Banned Books Week! Every year, communities come together in this national celebration of the freedom to read! This year, Banned Books Week spotlights young adult books, which is by far the category most commonly targeted for censorship. Stand up for the right to read for all readers by becoming a part of the Banned Books Week celebration that will take place September 27 through October 3, 2015!
Launched in 1982 to draw attention to the problem of book censorship in the United States, Banned Books Week is held during the last week of September. By being a part of it, you can make a difference in protecting the freedom to read!
In this handbook, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund provides you with all the tools you need to prepare your Banned Books Week celebration. We’ll talk about how books are banned, show you some specific cases in which comics were challenged, and provide you with hands on tips to celebrate Banned Books Week in your community.
It’s hard to believe that books are still banned in the United States, and yet each year hundreds of incidents are recorded. CBLDF springs to action in these cases, providing expert support for the librarians and individuals who fight back when calls to censorship arise. We also provide a broad range of preventative resources to help fight censorship, including the Banned Comics [section on](section on www.cbldf.org)[ ](section on www.cbldf.org)[www.cbldf.org](section on www.cbldf.org), which features case studies of dozens of graphic novel challenges; dossiers on teaching and defending controversial comics; and Using Graphic Novels in Education, our ongoing column about teaching comics. If you find yourself facing a censorship emergency, contact us right away by calling 1-800-99-CBLDFor emailing us at [info@cbldf.org](info@cbldf.org).
Join us this Banned Books Week by using this book as your starting point to speaking up about the freedom to read comics in your community!
—Charles Brownstein, Executive Director | CBLDF THANKS OUR GUARDIAN MEMBERS: James Wood Bailey, Grant Geissman, Philip Harvey, Joseph H. King, and Midwest Comic Book Association. CBLDF’s education program made possible with the generous support of the Gaiman Foundation and supporters like you! STAFF Charles Brownstein, Executive Director Alex Cox, Deputy Director Samantha Johns, Development Manager Kate Jones, Office Manager Betsy Gomez, Editorial Director Maren Williams, Contributing Editor Caitlin McCabe, Contributing Editor Robert Corn-Revere, Legal Counsel BOARD OF DIRECTORS Larry Marder, President Milton Griepp, Vice President Jeff Abraham, Treasurer Dale Cendali, Secretary Jennifer L. Holm Reginald Hudlin Katherine Keller Paul Levitz Christina Merkler Chris Powell Jeff Smith ADVISORY BOARD Neil Gaiman & Denis Kitchen, Co-Chairs Susan Alston Matt Groening Chip Kidd Jim Lee Frenchy Lunning Frank Miller Louise Nemschoff Mike Richardson William Schanes José Villarrubia Bob Wayne Peter Welch CREDITS Betsy Gomez, Designer and Editor Eva Volin, Contributor Maren Williams, Contributor Cover image: SCHOLASTIC ™ Scholastic Inc. Art ©2012 by Raina Telgemeier. “Banned Books Myths” reproduced by permission of the National Coalition Against Censorship / Kids Right To Read Project. [http://ncac.org/project/the-kids-right-to-read](http://ncac.org/project/the-kids-right-to-read)project/ • @KidsRight2Read “Fight for Your Right to Read” adapted from“Books Challenged and Banned, 2013-2014” by [Robert P. Doyle. www.ila.org/BannedBooks](Robert P. Doyle. www.ila.org/BannedBooks)[ ](Robert P. Doyle. www.ila.org/BannedBooks)[/ALA016 Short List L3c_low](/ALA016 Short List L3c_low) ([1](1))[.pdf](.pdf) CBLDF is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. Donations are taxdeductible to the fullest extent allowed by law in the year they are given. ©2015 Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

FAQs

What is Banned Books Week and when does it occur in 2015?

Banned Books Week is a national celebration of the freedom to read. In 2015 it takes place from September 27 through October 3, 2015.

Why are comics, graphic novels, and manga frequently challenged and banned?

They face challenges for similar reasons as other books (adult content, language, sex/nudity, and age appropriateness), but comics are uniquely vulnerable due to their visual nature and the stigma that comics are low-value speech.

How does CBLDF support people during censorship emergencies?

CBLDF provides expert support for librarians and individuals who fight back when calls to censorship arise, and offers preventative resources including case studies and teaching-related guidance. If facing an emergency, contact CBLDF right away.

Aug 21, 2026

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