Eye-Catching Banned Books Week Display Ideas for Libraries and Classrooms

Each year, libraries, schools, and literary organizations across the country come together to celebrate the freedom to read during Banned Books Week. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of intellectual freedom—and a chance to spotlight the books that have been challenged, banned, or censored throughout history.

For librarians, educators, and book lovers, it’s also the perfect opportunity to create engaging, visually striking displays that get people talking. Whether you’re in an elementary classroom, a public library, or a high school media center, a compelling Banned Books Week display can educate, inspire, and provoke meaningful conversations about censorship and the right to read.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to craft a memorable display—from why it matters to creative themes, DIY ideas, and tips for student engagement. Whether you’re working with a cart, a bulletin board, or a whole room, this guide is packed with inspiration to help you make Banned Books Week an unforgettable part of your literacy calendar.

Why Banned Books Week Displays Matter

Before diving into design ideas, it’s worth asking: why make a display for Banned Books Week at all?

The truth is, displays make people look. They bring books to life and bring attention to ideas in a visual way that a reading list never could. Banned Books Week isn’t just about listing titles—it’s about shining a light on why books get challenged, and what that says about freedom, diversity, and education.

Here are some key reasons why displays are powerful tools during this week:

• They spark curiosity: People naturally want to know why a book was banned.

• They raise awareness: Many readers don’t realize censorship still happens today.

• They encourage discussion: Displays can lead to powerful conversations about inclusion, rights, and history.

• They promote reading: Highlighting banned books often encourages people to pick them up for the first time.

So how do you make your display impossible to ignore? Let’s dive in.

Planning Your Display: Goals, Space, and Audience

Before picking your colors or cutting out letters, take a moment to define:

Your Goals

• Do you want to educate younger students about censorship gently?

• Do you want to provoke deep conversations among teens or adults?

• Are you hoping to increase circulation of banned books?

Your Space

• Are you working with a full wall, a table, a library cart, or a single bulletin board?

• Is this display going in a classroom, a hallway, a school library, or a public branch?

Your Audience

• Elementary students? Keep it visual and age-appropriate.

• Middle or high school? Dig into the controversy and context.

• Adults? Highlight recent bans, local challenges, and political angles.

Once you know your purpose, it’s time to pick a theme.

Creative Themes for Banned Books Week Displays

Here are some of the most popular (and easy-to-customize) Banned Books Week display themes:

1. “Books Worth Fighting For”

• Decorate your space with flames, chains, or barbed wire visuals.

• Display books behind “jail bars” or fake police tape with “CENSORED” labels.

• Include signs like: “This Book Was Banned—Can You Guess Why?”

2. “Don’t Judge a Book by Its Ban”

• Show covers face-forward, with mysterious labels hiding the title.

• Flip the label to reveal what book it is and why it was banned.

• Great way to explore bias and assumptions in a visually playful way.

3. “Caution: Banned Ideas Inside”

• Use yellow caution tape and bold warning signs.

• Make your shelf look like a restricted area with signs saying: “Enter at your own intellectual risk!”

4. “Banned but Not Forgotten”

• Showcase classics and contemporary books that have survived censorship attempts.

• Use a “graveyard” of banned books with tombstones and resurrection signs like: “They Tried to Silence This Story—But It Lives On.”

5. “Read These Before They’re Gone”

• Create a “check-out soon” vibe with a vintage or dystopian twist.

• Use disappearing ink graphics or book silhouettes fading into the background.

Interactive Display Ideas

Want students or visitors to do more than just look? Make your display interactive.

1. Guess the Reason

• Cover books in brown paper and write the reason they were banned: “Profanity,” “LGBTQ+ themes,” “Witchcraft,” etc.

• Let students lift the flap or open the paper to reveal the title.

• Add a question like: “Do you think this is a good reason to ban a book?”

2. Sticky Note Reactions

• Leave sticky notes or index cards next to each book for students to write their reactions:

  • “Have you read this book?”

  • “Why do you think someone wanted to ban it?”

  • “Do you agree or disagree with the ban?”

3. Banned Book Bingo

• Create a bingo sheet with banned titles.

• As students read books from the list, they can fill in squares.

• Offer small rewards for finishing rows or completing the whole card.

4. “Take a Stand” Station

• Create a board that says “Should this book be banned?”

• Invite students to post their opinions on sticky notes in “Yes,” “No,” or “I’m Not Sure” columns.

5. QR Code Extras

• Link QR codes to interviews with authors of banned books.

• Include short videos, infographics, or articles explaining the ban.

• Place codes near book covers or display posters.

DIY Display Decoration Ideas (Budget-Friendly & Impactful)

You don’t need a giant budget to create a powerful display. Here are low-cost materials that make a big visual impact:

• Caution Tape – Cheap and eye-catching.

• Black Construction Paper or Red Tape – To create censorship-style redactions.

• Chains and Locks (Plastic or Paper) – Symbolize books being locked away.

• Flames (Paper or Felt) – Represent books being metaphorically “burned.”

• Mini Tombstones – For books that were “buried” by censorship.

• “Wanted” Posters – For controversial titles.

• Silhouettes of Readers – With speech bubbles like: “I read banned books!”

Don’t forget to use bold, readable lettering and large book covers (printed or real). If you can, elevate your display to eye level and keep it updated throughout the week.

Book Suggestions for Your Display

Here are some classic and contemporary books often challenged or banned—perfect for a wide range of age groups:

Elementary & Middle Grade

• And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell

• Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White (yes, it was once banned!)

• Drama by Raina Telgemeier

• Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

• The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis

Young Adult

• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

• Looking for Alaska by John Green

• Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

• Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

• This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson

Adult Titles

• The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

• 1984 by George Orwell

• Beloved by Toni Morrison

• Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

• Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

Tip: Make sure to include why each book was challenged and what themes it explores—this adds depth and sparks conversation.

Classroom Ideas Beyond the Display

If you’re a teacher, Banned Books Week is also a great time to engage students with deeper literacy activities.

1. Classroom Debates

• Pose a question like: “Should books with offensive language be removed from school libraries?”

• Have students research both sides and hold respectful debates.

2. Book Reviews with a Twist

• Ask students to write book reviews that include their thoughts on the challenge or ban.

3. Author Study

• Focus on an author whose books were banned. What themes do they write about? Why are they controversial?

4. Creative Writing

• Prompt: “Write a story about a world where books are illegal. What do you do about it?”

Tips for Making Your Display Inclusive and Safe

Banned Books Week can bring up sensitive topics, especially for young readers. Here’s how to handle it with care:

• Create space for questions. Let students ask why books were challenged.

• Be inclusive. Avoid centering only one kind of story or voice.

• Respect family values. If needed, allow students to opt out of reading certain titles.

• Frame it around freedom. Focus not just on the controversy but on the value of choice, access, and diverse voices.

Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Display

A great Banned Books Week display does more than showcase books—it showcases values. It shows that your library or classroom is a space where ideas matter, where students are encouraged to think, and where the right to read is treated with respect and passion.

So go bold. Go creative. Go informative. Whether it’s a tiny corner or a full hallway mural, your display could be the spark that helps a student discover a banned book—and fall in love with it.