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Banned Book Club

Banned Book Club Event

Banned Book Club

SLCE’s Banned Book Club offers an open, welcoming space for students to explore books that have been banned or challenged across the country. Each session features a different text and invites conversation about themes like identity, power, censorship, and social responsibility. Students are encouraged to share their perspectives, learn from one another, and connect these stories to real issues impacting our communities. All UIC students are welcome to join us. Campus organizations or departments interested in co-hosting or collaborating are invited to email SLCE to connect.

Any questions can be directed to Student Leadership and Civic Engagement at slce@uic.edu.

About Banned Book Club

  • Receiving Your Book

    Students must register for Banned Book Club through UIC Connection. Once registered, SLCE will reserve a copy of the book for you—first come, first served. You don’t need to read in advance; we read the book together during the session and discuss it as a group, so there’s no homework required. All you need to bring is yourself and your curiosity.

  • How Banned Book Club Works

    Banned Book Club meets at least once per semester for a relaxed, discussion-based session centered on a selected banned or challenged book. Students read the book together during the event and engage in conversation about themes like identity, censorship, power, and community. No prior preparation is needed—just show up ready to read, think, and share your thoughts.

  • Event Details

    Every Banned Book Club session is hosted by SLCE and facilitated by staff or student leaders.
    Dates, times, and locations vary each semester and will always be listed on UIC Connection and promoted through SLCE’s weekly newsletter and social media.

Past Banned Book Selections & Collaborations

Cover of Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi featuring a bright red background with a black decorative border and an illustration of a young girl in a black hijab inside a blue oval frame.

Persepolis — Marjane Satrapi

A graphic memoir following Marjane’s childhood during the Iranian Revolution and her coming-of-age across cultures.

Often challenged for its depictions of political conflict and government criticism.

Collaboration: Hosted solely by SLCE.

Cover of Pet by Akwaeke Emezi featuring a Black girl standing in front of a purple, maze-like cityscape with a gold feathered pattern spelling ‘PET’ above her. Three award medals are displayed on the right side of the cover.

PET — Akwaeke Emezi

A compelling Young Adult novel about truth-telling, community accountability, and naming harm, told through the eyes of Jam, a Black trans teen.

Frequently challenged for LGBTQ+ themes and confronting issues of abuse.

Collaborations:

  • Black Cultural Center
  • Women’s Leadership & Resource Center
  • Gender & Sexuality Center

These partnerships brought deeper perspectives on identity, safety, and community care.

Cover of Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel featuring a teal background with a yellow title and a black-and-white family photograph of Alison and her family framed in an ornate border.

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic — Alison Bechdel

A memoir in comics exploring sexuality, grief, family dynamics, and personal truth.

Commonly challenged for LGBTQ+ themes and illustrated adult content.

Collaboration:

  • UIC Daley Library
    This collaboration helped connect students to archival context, banned book trends, and library-led discussions on intellectual freedom.