Image the librarians Peggy Karaffa and Caroline Sipio in the MDA Library. Photo Credit: Christina Ozhogan ‘28
Throughout the 2024-2025 school year, 6,870 total books were banned from public schools across the United States, according to PEN America, a nonprofit organization advocating for free expression and literature. Many were removed due to themes or topics involving racial injustice, gender identity, or sexual orientation, which some school districts believe to be uncomfortable or inappropriate for educational settings. However, students who belong to marginalized groups often see less representation because of these book bans, as powerful stories from minorities are silenced. As an independent school, George School is not required to comply with other book bans and instead chooses to embrace banned books, showcasing diverse and impactful stories in its library and classrooms.
PEN America’s definition of a school book ban is, “any action taken against a book based on its content and as a result of parent or community challenges, administrative decisions, or in response to direct or threatened action by governmental officials, that leads to a book being either completely removed from availability to students, or where access to a book is restricted or diminished.” A majority of banned books are removed because they feature topics like homosexuality, racism, mental health, and more, which some people believe are completely inappropriate for classrooms. President Donald Trump has mirrored these beliefs, specifically through issuing multiple executive orders in 2025 that banned around 600 books from American schools. As stated by the White House, the purpose of these bans was to end “radical indoctrination” in US public schools, specifically referring to DEI programs and transgender representation.
Although parents and government officials understandably feel the need to protect children and regulate educational materials, George School advocates for the value of studying and recognizing real-world issues in the classroom, even if they include heavy or sensitive themes. Courtney Bejgrowicz, a George School English teacher, demonstrates this by saying, “Let’s have access for everyone to read about issues that are human and real … let’s read some things that are a little edgy.”
Another core issue is that these removals lead to underrepresentation, where students become unable to see themselves and their identities in the books they read. As Rachel Williams, director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at George School, describes, “when stories are hidden, or seen as unacceptable, my fear is that it’s potentially harmful to someone who needs that story.” PBS has featured numerous stories that show how students, specifically those who are part of marginalized communities, find comfort in books that represent their groups. Therefore, attempts to stop promoting diversity in school libraries often leave already underrepresented students feeling increasingly isolated from their peers. Courtney remarked that, “Not having access to, say, a gay couple in a novel, or a Jewish character, not having access to a character who says they’re an atheist; if you can’t see those stories, it’s almost like you’re banning humanity.” As she suggested, the human race is filled with a multitude of different values and identities, and each deserves representation. Choosing to ban or silence specific groups of people is unfair to them, creating isolation and division.
Image depicting the MDA Library featuring information on banned books. Photo Credit: Christina Ozhogan ‘28
So, what is George School doing to prevent these potential harms from book bans and make students feel more included and represented? Not only does GS refrain from adopting district book removals as an independent school, but it actively goes further by choosing to embrace banned books. Peggy Karaffa, one of George School’s librarians, explains the library’s steadfast commitment: “Here at George School, we don’t ban books.” Instead, the GS library uses several elements, including a display of banned books in the MDA Library and the celebration of Banned Book Week, to illustrate its devotion to freedom within reading.
Banned Books Week, a nationally recognized event also celebrated at GS, typically in September or October, is a common time for students and librarians to share stories and information about banned books. Caroline Sipio, another GS librarian, described how the library was “looking for a way to expand on the energy of Banned Books Week,” which led them to the implementation of the Banned Books Display in the MDA library. The section features dozens of banned and challenged titles that are rotated between the display and the rest of the library throughout the year, free for students to read. “We have [the banned books display] front and center, as a way to communicate that in this library, you’re free to read whatever you want to,” Caroline expressed.
Images depicting the Banned Books Display in the MDA Library. Photo Credits: Christina Ozhogan ‘28
Additionally, the MDA library hosts the Banned Books Open Mic, which is relatively new but has been enthusiastically received by both students and faculty at George School. The event allows community members to step up and share with others an excerpt from a banned or challenged book that they find important. Peggy conveyed, “I think that the students really do appreciate being able to share something that is so meaningful to them.”
Images depicting Students Participating in the 2025 Banned Book Open Mic. Photo Credits: Christina Ozhogan ‘28
Engaging with banned books is not confined merely to the library or Banned Books Week. Rather, banned books are deeply integrated into the curricula of various English classes, further developing the school’s philosophy that reading censored or challenged literature is deeply essential. Courtney explained, “My participation is always about discussing the idea of banned books in the classroom, like reading The Catcher in the Rye, which has been banned in so many places.” Exploring banned books is an everyday, yearlong mission at GS, in and out of the classroom. Even with the banned book awareness in schools like GS, thousands of books continue to be removed and challenged from schools and libraries across the country. Students are losing access to vital, diverse stories due to parental and political actions. George School students are fortunate to have the support of librarians, English teachers, and the school-wide community to preserve the freedom to read. However, we must acknowledge the rising wave of book bans on a national level. No matter the family, school, or district one is from, representation is essential, and every person deserves to have their voice heard in the literature they read.
