It’s Banned Books Week in the U.S. Banned Books Week is an annual event, typically held during the last week in September, that celebrates the freedom to read. It highlights attempts to censor books in libraries and schools.
The theme for 2021 is “Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us.” I still can’t believe that books continue to be banned and challenged. According to the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom, the top three reasons for challenging materials are the material was considered to be “sexually explicit”, the material contained “offensive language”, and the material was “unsuited to any age group”.
Here are some of my favorite most challenged books as compiled by the Office of Intellectual Freedom (note that I am only including books that I am familiar with so many books that are new/recent publications may not be on my list).
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
The ALA indicated that this book was banned, challenged, and restricted because it was thought to contain a political viewpoint and it was claimed to be biased against male students, and for the novel’s inclusion of rape and profanity.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The ALA indicated that this book was banned and challenged for racial slurs and their negative effect on students, featuring a “white savior” character, and its perception of the Black experience.
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
The ALA indicated that this book was banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and depicts child sexual abuse.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
The ALA indicated that this book was banned and challenged for profanity and for “vulgarity and sexual overtones”.
Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling
The ALA indicated that this book was banned and forbidden from discussion for referring to magic and witchcraft, for containing actual curses and spells, and for characters that use “nefarious means” to attain goals.
The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins
The ALA indicated that this book was challenged for religious viewpoint and was unsuited to age group.
My Sister’s Keeper, by Jodi Picoult
The ALA indicated that this book was challenged for homosexuality, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexism, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, and violence.
His Dark Materials trilogy, by Philip Pullman
The ALA indicated that this book was challenged for political viewpoint, religious viewpoint, and violence.
A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L’Engle
The ALA did not give a reason for why this book was challenged but included it in a list of 100 most frequently challenged books from 1990-1999.
Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret, by Judy Blume
The ALA did not give a reason for why this book was challenged but included it in a list of 100 most frequently challenged books from 1990-1999.
The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline Cooney
The ALA did not give a reason for why this book was challenged but included it in a list of 100 most frequently challenged books from 1990-1999.
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
The ALA did not give a reason for why this book was challenged but included it in a list of 100 most frequently challenged books from 2000-2009.
and my favorite book that has been challenged:
Where’s Waldo?, by Martin Hanford
The ALA did not give a reason for why this book was challenged by I did find this article by world.edu that states the reason Where’s Waldo was challenged is that the pictures in the book contain “inappropriate and seditious hidden imagery” including topless sunbathers, gay lovers, characters holding up the rocker hand sign (or, as they call it- the \”hail Satan\”), and a medley of other hysterical claims.
Did any of your favorite books make the challenged and banned list?
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