Banned Books Highlight
"Ignoring isn’t the same as ignorance, you have to work at it." --Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale
Every year, there is a new round to the fight for the freedom of the written word in our schools and libraries. The American Library Association and its Office of Intellectual Freedom have continued record the fight against the challenges and bans that occur year after year. This is a list we at Kramers want to highlight, but please check out the ALA for their archive of banned books, as well as ways to support this on-going fight.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas: One of the most challenged in 2021 for profanity, violence, and the supposed anti-police “messages.”
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson: This book takes the trifecta of banned, challenged, and restricted for its topic of rape.
On the Origin of Species (Revised) by Charles Darwin: Called “the most influential banned book,” it was banned in 1895 for disputing Christian beliefs.
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak: Banned in 1963 because of supernatural themes, and Max being sent to bed without dinner.
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood: This book has insulted Christianity, which is why North Carolina tried banning it in 2012.
Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegelman: In the past two years, this book—this series—has been one of the most talked about banned books as it depicts a personal telling of events during the Holocaust, and in doing so, became a huge target in 2022 for challenges and bans.
The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changes Their Lives by Dashka Slater: It was challenged in Missouri in 2020 by parents for the appropriateness of the material.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky: With a mix of LGBTQ+ content and sexually explicit depictions, it ranks the fifth most challenged book in 2022 with 55 challenges—tied with Looking for Alaska by John Green.
All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson: The second most challenged book in 2022 coming in with 86 challenges, mostly for the LGBTQ+ content.
Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe: It was the number one most challenged book in 2022—with a total of 151--for its LGBTQ+ content.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: Challenged for the first time in 1977 (MN), it was banned for bad words, which was a common argument for other challenges, as well as the racism.
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut: Not only was it challenged in 1973 by numerous communities, but it was also burned in Drake, ND. The latest challenge lands in 2007 (MI) argues not appropriate for minors.
1984 by George Orwell: “Pro-communist" in 1981 (FL) and explicitness were the reasons behind the challenge—but honestly, did they even read the book?
The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger: In 2001 (SC), it was called a “filthy, filthy book.” A teacher was fired in 1960 (OK) for having it on a reading list, while the latest challenge was in 2009 (MT).
The Bluest Eye by Adam: It has had a total of 73 challenges and was labeled the third most challenged book in 2022.
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Presents: A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Chronicle Books, Marlon Bundo, et al.: One of the top most challenged books in 2019 for the LGBTQ+ theme.
The Adventures of Captain Underpants series by Day Pilkey: This series caught waves of challenges during 2012-2013, but it was also in the top lists of 2002, 2004, and 2005.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie: With claims of sexually explicit material, I really wonder if any of the 52 challenges in 2022 read this wonderful book.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker: Challenged in 1984 (CA) for sexual explicitness, and numerous time through the years all the way to 2008 (NC) for homosexuality and rape themes.
Beloved by Toni Morrison: Listed in the top ten banned in 2006 for sexual explicitness and bad language.