With Banned Book Week upon us and the current climate I am making a list of frequently challenged books. It may take me some time. Some of these have been challenged for years on many fronts, some are only challenged in smaller scales. This list will...
Sections
3
Children's Books
Adult Books
Teens or Young Adult Books
Children's Books
Harry Potter is always a favorite-skip the first chapter in book 1 the first time you read it.
Harry Potter : : Booksamillion.com
Classic, also available as a graphic novel
A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet Series #1) (Newbery Medal Winner)
This book will lead to wonderful deep discussions about scientific testing & society
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh (Newbery Medal Winner)
This series is funny and relatable. Mainly 5th grade and up for the whole series
This book is amazing, I recommend reading it yourself to determine if it is a good pick for your student. Might be a good read with your student.
Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks
All Alan Gratz books are amazing!
Refugee by Alan Gratz, Hardcover
One of my favorite books to do a project with. Have students make a suitcase to put only the few things that fit in, and that's it.
Bud, Not Buddy (Newbery Medal Winner)
Tons of sarcastic remarks. Great story with non-traditional family, Bruce is MOM--OMG ban it…..eye roll, it's the best.
Mother Bruce-Mother Bruce, Book 1 by Ryan T. Higgins
This book is beautiful. It's a wonderful story for people who don't fit into the normal opinion of size.
Big (Caldecott Medal Winner) by Vashti Harrison, Hardcover
This is a nonfiction book, it would be great to share with older children and look at each person maybe even as research.
We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball
These books are hilarious, gross humor to some but kids LOVE them!
Butt or Face? by Kari Lavelle, Hardcover
These are amazing, my students eat them up and I love any Shannon Hale book.
Princess in Black Series
Junie B Jones are classics. They are still loved by students and teachers.
Junie B. Jones Books
Very well done graphic novel adaptation of the autobiography. Not recommended for younger students without adult to discuss.
Anne Frank's Diary: The Graphic Adaptation|Hardcover
My students love this entire series. Very easy to connect with the characters.
Click (Click Series #1)|Paperback
Award winning book, the entire series is amazing. This book has been challenged or banned in some places. READ it.
New Kid (Newbery Medal Winner)|Paperback
This book is amazing, the children understand that love is all that's important.
And Tango Makes Three (School and Library Edition)
This book has been challenged mainly for being full of potty humor.
Captain Underpants Books Series
This one could be middle school or up, so I'm putting it in Children's, this book is challenged or banned mainly for making people think and challenge authority.
The Giver (Newbery Medal Winner) by Lois Lowry, Paperback
This comic book series is banned partially for it's name.
Bone Comic Book Series by Jeff Smith
This graphic novel is a coming of age story and discovering who you are.
Drama: A Graphic Novel - Raina Telgemeier
These books are funny, it's challenged because of the type of humor isn't everyone's cup of tea.
Bad Kitty Books
This book looks at the variety of families, which tells exactly why some people try to ban it.
Who's in My Family?: All About Our Families|Hardcover
Well this books has facts for people who want to use it to help educate thier children.
It's So Amazing!: Book about Birth & Families
This book is amazing, it's been challenged for so many reasons. Just read it.
Bridge to Terabithia (Newbery Medal Winner)
Shel Silverstein poems are funny and silly, all of his collections have been challenged. I love them and my kids do as well.
A Light in the Attic: Special Edition by Shel Silverstein, Hardcover
This classic series has been challenged for a variety of reasons over the years.
Chronicles of Narnia Book Series
This book has been banned due to rebellion again authority and of course using your imagination.
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake, Paperback
Talking animals let to most of the challenges on this book.
Charlotte's Web by E. B. White, Garth Williams, Paperback
This book and Tom Sawyer were banned for a variety of reasons including racial topics.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn ...
Take one guess on why this book was challenged.
Freckleface Strawberry|Hardcover - Julianne Moore
Adult Books
Wonderful fantasy series. Very hard to put down, great reads. The online community allows someone to connect with as you’re reading. I wouldn’t recommend getting in the online groups until you’ve read all of the books, but this is also a set that yo...
Wheel of Time Books - Series - Barnes & Noble
This series is one of my all time. Great set. There's another series after this one that is great as well.
Pawn of Prophecy (Book 1 of The Belgariad) by David Eddings | eBook
This series has amazing character development. It could fit in several genres: fantasy, adventure, romance, etc.
Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass Series #1) by Sarah J. Maas, Paperback
The main heroine is easy to connect with and understand. This world is one that makes you think of desolation and longing for hope.
Mistborn: The Final Empire (Mistborn Series #1) by Brandon Sanderson ...
One of my all -time favorites, every Sci-fi or fantasy lover needs to read these.
Dune Book Series
Classic science fiction series. This one has been read and reread so many times at my house. My paper copies are falling apart. The series each book focuses on a different aspect like death, fate, war, etc.
Incarnations of Immortality 8-Book Series
This series features a caste system and people trying to break it. Society is only kind to the rich and powerful.
Red Rising (Red Rising Series #1) by Pierce Brown, Paperback
This series has everything; dragons, cussing, family dysfunction, all while dealing with medical conditions.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, Paperback
WWII
The Tattooist of Auschwitz: A Novel
Again, one of my all-time favorite books.
The Lord of the Rings Books, DVDs & More
This book fits in several categories. I’m going to put it in adventure. This book can be enjoyed at any age. Really I think it’s a great as a young adult but even younger preteens can enjoy this book.
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien, Paperback
This book will have all book lovers laughing. The audiobook for this is amazing.
Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books: A Novel
CLASSIC, everyone needs to read this multiple times!
1984: 75th Anniversary by George Orwell, Paperback
This book has led to the award-winning series. Another amazing book that everyone needs to read.
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, Paperback
TRIGGER warning: I'm putting this in adult, it depicts sexual assault and incest. amazing book, but it may be too much for some readers.
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, Paperback
Need we even discuss why this one is banned? It shows racism and injustice. Read it, at least twice.
To Kill a Mockingbird (Pulitzer Prize Winner) by Harper Lee, Paperback
Another classic, it depicts sexual assault and other injustices.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, Paperback
This book has racism, sexual assault, and sexually explicit scenes.
The Color Purple (Pulitzer Prize Winner) (National Book Award Winner)
This book is banned for being a realistic depiction of living in poverty.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, Paperback
I'm putting it in adult, is has sexual assault and is considered sexually explicit.
Sold by Patricia McCormick, Paperback
Well, let's challenge books that have real things that are happening in them to help keep people blind.
Stolen Children by Peg Kehret, Paperback
Book burning book is challenged or banned, seems legit….
Fahrenheit 451: A Novel by Ray Bradbury, Paperback
This is another classic, everyone needs to read it.
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, Paperback
Let's be honest, every Stephen King book has probably been challenged at some point. I put in adult, but many are teen/young adult books.
Carrie by Stephen King, Paperback
This classic has been banned or challenged every year since it was written.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Paperback
Teens or Young Adult Books
These books are wonderful. READ them in the published order, not the chronological order. If you read in chronological order, you get information that messes up the other books.
The Hunger Games Book Series
This fantasy series is full of surprises. There's a few flashbacks that tie the story together. If you love King Arthur type stories, give this one a chance.
Legendborn (B&N Exclusive Edition) by Tracy Deonn, Paperback
This book series pulls you in. I’ve recommended it to hundreds of people and this dystopian world pulls you in. The twists in each book are perfect. Read it in published order, not chronological.
Red Queen (Red Queen Series #1) by Victoria Aveyard, Paperback
These book look at hidden societies. Fairies, vampires, etc. Plus, the characters are easy to relate to.
Mortal Instruments Book Series
This book looks at 2 story lines, a mystery and realistic desperation. The 2 Storylines Take place in two different eras.
A Northern Light: A Printz Honor Winner by Jennifer Donnelly, Paperback
This book covers a lot of sensitive topics. There is attempted rape, violence, and other triggers, but it is well-written.
Easy by Tammara Webber, Paperback
Trigger warning, a compelling read, highly recommend.
Shout by Laurie Halse Anderson, Paperback
This book tackles tough subjects about girls coming of age, why is it an issue?
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret (Special Edition)
I bet I don't even have to tell you why this one has been challenged.
All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto by George M. Johnson, Paperback
Another great book, that is challenged because people are afraid of learning about other people.
Gender Queer: A Memoir Deluxe Edition by Maia Kobabe, Hardcover
OMG, I love this book, it is smaller, but it is full of great discussions. Another TRIGGER warning, there are lots of topics in here that maybe too much for some readers.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Paperback
This book is very sexually explicit, older teens please.
Tricks by Ellen Hopkins, Paperback
Several of John Green's books have challenges, mainly for being sexually explicit.
Looking for Alaska by John Green, Paperback
This is another one, that I'm like really?
The Kite Runner (Essential Edition)
This book is banned because it takes a deep look at suicide.
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, Paperback
This book takes on the horrible aftermath of a school shooting.
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult, Paperback
Amazing book, of course it's been challenged. It looks at racism.
The Hate U Give (Printz Honor Winner) by Angie Thomas, Paperback
This book has LGBTQIA+ content and some claim to be sexually explicit.
Flamer by Mike Curato, Paperback
This book is another classic.
The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton, Paperback
This book used to be required reading.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding, Paperback
This TRUE story is banned because it's true and that's a problem. SMH
The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That ...
These books depict real women and the injustice done to them by hiding their importance.
Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black ...
