A banned book is one that has been removed from the shelves of a library, bookstore, or classroom because of its debatable content. In some instances banned books have been burned or denied publication. Possession of banned books has at times been regarded as an act of betrayal or sacrilege, which was carrying a punishment of acts of retribution such as prison time, torture and even death.

A book may be challenged or banned on political, religious, sexual, or social grounds. We take the acts of banning or challenging a book as a grave matter, because these are forms of censorship. It is our freedom to read.

Of course, just because a book has been banned or challenged in some parts of the United States doesn't mean it has happened where you live. You may be one of the lucky few who have never witnessed banning. That's why it's so important for us to know that censorship does exist and it denies the right of every American who are not allowed accesses to any information they pick.