Democracy and public education and has been for generations. However, certain books, particularly those exploring themes of racism, sexuality, violence, and morality, have stirred controversy and prompted censorship attempts. Banned books are becoming way too common.
Even in the 21st century, educators across the United States continue to grapple with challenges and outright bans on essential literature. Simply because some individuals, whether parents or community members, object to the content being taught.
To promote the significance of free access to literature, the American Library Association has established Banned Book Week, an annual event in September. In celebration of this event, we present a list of 25 banned or challenged books that should be on your reading list.
Picture books that are banned somewhere in the world
1. Where the Wild Things Are
Where the Wild Things Are is a beloved children’s classic and recipient of the prestigious Caldecott award. The story follows a young boy named Max, who sets sail to a distant land and assumes the role of king among the wild creatures. After causing chaos in his wolf suit, Max is sent to his room but returns to find a warm meal awaiting him.
Despite its popularity, the book has faced challenges and bans due to its inclusion of supernatural elements and unsettling imagery. As well as the suggestion that being sent to bed without supper can be psychologically harmful. Get your copy on Amazon
2. And Tango Makes Three
And Tango Makes Three is a touching children’s book. Authored by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, and featuring illustrations by Henry Cole. Inspired by a true story, the book recounts the lives of Roy and Silo, two male penguins who form a strong bond.
After being given a motherless egg by a zookeeper, the pair successfully hatch and raise a chick, named Tango. Despite its heartwarming message, the book has been subjected to bans due to its positive portrayal of a same-sex family. Get Your Copy On Amazon
3. Heather Has Two Mommies
Heather Has Two Mommies is a children’s book written by Leslea Newman and beautifully illustrated by Laura Cornell. The story follows Heather, who has two mothers, as she discovers that families can take many different forms. When Heather and her classmates draw pictures of their families, they all realize that no two families are alike. Despite its message of inclusivity and diversity, the book has faced bans and challenges due to its portrayal of same-sex parenting and homosexuality. Get Your Copy On Amazon
4. Where The Sidewalk Ends
Shel Silverstein’s unique blend of irreverent poetry and iconic illustrations has made his work a beloved modern classic. His humorous and accessible poems have long served as an introduction to poetry for elementary school students. And continue to be popular with high schoolers today. However, despite their widespread appeal, some of Silverstein’s works have faced challenges and bans due to the perception that they promote rebellion and undermine parental authority. Get Your Copy On Amazon
5. In The Night Kitchen
In Maurice Sendak’s beloved children’s book, “In the Night Kitchen”, a young boy named Mickey finds himself transported to a fantastical world filled with bakers tirelessly preparing the morning’s cake. Along the way, Mickey falls into the batter. Then loses his pajamas, and is depicted in the nude in a few illustrations. Ultimately, he escapes the kitchen on a bread plane and returns to his own bed. Despite its enduring popularity, the book has faced challenges and bans due to the portrayal of nudity in the illustrations. Get Your Copy On Amazon
6. Captain Underpants
The popular Captain Underpants series of graphic novels for children, authored by Dav Pilkey, follows the adventures of two young creators. Aptly named George and Harold, and their superhero alter ego, Captain Underpants. However, despite its widespread popularity, the series has faced challenges and bans. Mostly due to concerns about offensive language, partial nudity, and the perceived glorification of misbehavior by children.
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7. The Family Book
“The Family Book” by Todd Parr is a heartwarming celebration of the diverse and unique configurations that families can take. Including those with two parents, one parent, same-sex parents, grandparents, and even pets. Despite its positive message of acceptance and inclusivity, the book has faced challenges and bans due to its depiction of same-sex families. An all too common fate for books. Get Your Copy On Amazon
8. I Am Jazz
“I Am Jazz,” written by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, and illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas. It tells the story of Jazz Jennings. A transgender individual who knew from a young age that she had a “girl’s brain in a boy’s body.” Despite its positive message of inclusion and acceptance of transgender individuals, the book has faced bans and challenges due to its depictions of a transgender child. Get Your Copy On Amazon
Middle-Grade books facing the same banned fate
1. A Wrinkle In Time
” A Wrinkle in Time,” written by Madeleine L’Engle, is a Newbery award-winning book. It’s about Meg, her brother Charles Wallace, and her friend Calvin. They embark on a journey across the universe to find Meg’s missing father, an astrophysicist.
Along the way, they must battle against evil in a coming-of-age tale that explores themes of good versus evil. Despite its literary acclaim, the book has faced challenges and bans for being too religious. Then not religious enough, and its depictions of witchcraft and the supernatural. Get Your Copy On Amazon
2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Stephen Chobsky’s book, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” follows the story of Charlie, an introverted high school freshman who struggles with social anxiety, mental health, and navigating the complexities of adolescence. The book is known for its raw and authentic portrayal of teenage life. But it has faced challenges and bans. Mostly due to its use of explicit language, depictions of homosexuality, and sexually explicit scenes. AND references to drug and alcohol abuse. Get Your Copy On Amazon
3. The Hate U Give
By Angie Thomas. The Hate U Give – THUG for short – is a powerful and timely novel that tells the story of sixteen-year-old Starr Carter, who witnesses the police shooting of her friend Khalil. As Khalil’s story becomes national news, Starr must navigate the complicated aftermath and find her voice in a world where racial tensions are boiling.
The novel has received widespread critical acclaim and numerous literary awards. However, it has also faced controversy and has been banned in some places. This is due to its depictions of inappropriate language and sexual situations. Get Your Copy On Amazon
4. Looking for Alaska
“Looking for Alaska” is a novel by John Green, in which Miles Halter, a teenager who leaves for boarding school, meets Alaska Young. A girl who’s enigmatic and struggling with her inner demons. The story culminates in an event that leaves a lasting impact on Miles. Despite its critical acclaim, the book has been banned due to its explicit language and depictions of sexuality. Get Your Copy On Amazon
5. Speak
Laurie Halse Anderson’s novel follows the story of Melinda, a freshman in high school who is isolated from her peers after calling the cops on a party that spiraled out of control. Struggling with the trauma of a terrible incident that took place at the party, Melinda becomes mute and finds solace in her art class.
As the story unfolds, Melinda’s traumatic experience is revealed. And she gains the courage to speak out and reclaim her voice. However, the book has faced censorship due to its depictions of profanity, sexually explicit content, and references to underage drinking. Get Your Copy On Amazon
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6. The Outsiders
S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders is a timeless classic that tells the story of Ponyboy, his brothers Darry and Sodapop. And their life in a world where the social divide between the “Greasers” and the “Socs” is ever-present. The novel explores themes of loyalty, friendship, and growing up. It portrays the harsh realities of gang violence and its consequences. Despite its significance as a literary masterpiece, the book has been banned due to its use of offensive language, depictions of drug use, and portrayal of gang violence. Get Your Copy On Amazon
7. Forever – yet another banned book
Forever, a novel by Judy Blume, follows the story of Katherine and Michael, a committed high school couple who decide to have sex. The book delves into Katherine’s thoughts and emotions as she explores her sexuality and learns about the nature of love. However, their relationship begins to falter and Katherine is left to contemplate her feelings. The book has faced controversy and has frequently been banned. Widely due to its descriptions of sexual intercourse and discussions of birth control. Get Your Copy On Amazon
8. Cut – A Banned book undeserving of such a punishment
Patricia McCormick’s poignant and powerful novel follows the story of Callie, a teenage girl who self-harms and is sent to a treatment facility. While there, Callie struggles to participate in rehabilitation and becomes mute. The novel portrays Callie’s journey of self-discovery and healing. Despite its powerful message, the book has been banned due to its depiction of self-harm. Get Your Copy On Amazon
Contemporary Fiction Books which are banned
1. The Glass Castle
The memoir, The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, chronicles her childhood under the care of her brilliant but destructive father and a mother who shirked her responsibilities. The book remained on the bestseller list for seven years, a testament to its power. However, some have banned it due to depictions of sexual situations, abuse, and alcoholism. Get Your Copy On Amazon
2. The Catcher in the Rye
J.D. Salinger’s iconic novel follows the story of sixteen-year-old Holden Caulfield, who is disillusioned with society, adults, and the world around him. Through his exploration of New York City and its characters, he grapples with the loss of innocence that comes with growing up. However, the book has faced controversy for its use of profanity and depictions of sexual situations. Get Your Copy On Amazon
3. The Kite Runner
Khaled Hosseini’s powerful novel, The Kite Runner, follows the story of Amir, a man who was born in Afghanistan and later became a successful writer in the United States. When his childhood friend is killed by the Taliban, Amir is compelled to return to his homeland and confront the memories that have haunted him for years. The book has faced controversy for its depiction of sexual violence, religious perspective, and use of offensive language. Get Your Copy On Amazon
4. Beloved – a banned book important to us all
Toni Morrison’s Beloved is a profound and necessary examination of the horrors of slavery, as seen through the eyes of Sethe, a former slave who is now free but haunted by the memories of the atrocities she has endured.
The book is unflinching in its portrayal of the brutality of slavery and its lingering effects on those who survived it. It is a powerful and important read that shines a light on a dark chapter in American history. However, it has been banned in some places due to its depictions of racial and sexual violence, infanticide, and language. Get Your Copy On Amazon
5. To Kill a Mockingbird
To Kill A Mockingbird, a classic novel that is widely taught in schools, is a story of coming-of-age that unfolds in the deep South amidst a vicious trial. The trial involves a false accusation of rape by a white woman against a black man. Despite its significant literary value and importance in promoting racial justice, the book has been banned in certain places due to its use of profanity, racial slurs, and discussion of rape. Get Your Copy On Amazon
6. Slaughterhouse Five
In Kurt Vonnegut’s novel, Slaughterhouse-Five, Billy Pilgrim is a prisoner of war during World War II who becomes “unstuck” in time and experiences moments from his life in a nonlinear manner. As the story progresses, Vonnegut delves into the horror and senselessness of war, exploring themes of trauma, death, and the human condition. Despite its critical acclaim, the book has been banned for its depictions of sexual content, use of profanity, and being deemed immoral and anti-Christian. Get Your Copy On Amazon
7. Of Mice and Men
“Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck follows the story of two traveling companions, George and Lennie, as they search for work and strive to achieve their version of the American Dream during the Great Depression in California.
However, their journey is met with challenges and obstacles that test their friendship and hopes for the future. The novel addresses themes of loneliness, friendship, and the harsh realities of life during this era. It has been banned due to its use of profanity, racial slurs, depictions of violence, and its dark and depressing themes. Get Your Copy On Amazon
8. The Handmaid’s Tale
Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel portrays a future society where women are oppressed and forced to bear children in a totalitarian regime. The story follows Offred, a handmaid who navigates a world where reproductive rights are stripped away and women are reduced to their biological function. Why it was banned: It was deemed sexually explicit and inappropriate for certain audiences. Get Your Copy On Amazon
9. And finally, Animal Farm
George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a powerful allegory that warns about the dangers of totalitarianism. The story revolves around a group of farm animals who rebel against their human owner, hoping to create a society of equals.
However, their attempt to establish a utopia quickly descends into a brutal dictatorship, as the pigs who take charge become corrupt and oppressive. Animal Farm serves as a poignant commentary on the dangers of power and the ways in which revolutions can go awry. It has been banned for its potential to incite political unrest. Get Your Copy On Amazon
Sources
- Amazon
- “30 Banned Books You Should Totally Read.” Bored Teachers. Author Amy. February 9, 2023.
- “Banned & Challenged Classics.” Banned & Challenged Books.