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READ THESE BANNED BOOKS!
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items In the United States, we are seeing a heartbreakingly rapid increase of books being either banned or challenged in schools and libraries. I encourage you to read at least some of these books because if they’re banned, that only means they’re saying s...
Sections
3
Banned Books
Resources
Other
Banned Books
These are some of the most frequently banned and challenged books, according to resources such as PEN America, Unite Against Book Bans, and the American Library Association
This personal favorite of mine has been banned or challenged because of “sex, violence, and profanity in the book”
A Lesson Before Dying
Banned and challenged for “LGBTQIA+ content and because it was claimed to be sexually explicit”
All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto
Banned and challenged because of “sexual content and promiscuity, anti-religious/atheistic beliefs, anti-family, drug use, profanity, and suicide”
Brave New World
Banned and challenged because of “sexual content, profanity, violence, alcohol/smoking/drug usage, blasphemy/religious viewpoints, suicide, and abortion”
Fahrenheit 451
Banned and challenged for “depiction of sexual abuse, LGBTQIA+ content, drug/alcohol/smoking use, profanity, and anti-family”
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Banned and challenged for “depiction of sexual abuse, EDI content, and because it was claimed to be sexually explicit”
The Bluest Eye
Banned and challenged because of "gambling, profanity, political viewpoints, and said to be “politically, racially, and socially offensive”, and other “graphic depictions”
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
Banned and challenged because of “sexual content, violence, drug usage, infanticide, suicide, and euthanasia”
The Giver
Banned and challenged because of “offensive language and claimed to be sexually explicit”
The Glass Castle: A Memoir
Banned and challenged for "profanity and for vulgarity and sexual overtones”
The Handmaid's Tale
Banned and challenged for “profanity, violence, and because it was thought to promote an anti-police message and indoctrination of a social agenda”
The Hate U Give
THIS IS MY FAVORITE BOOK!! It is banned and challenged because it includes “sexual violence” and was thought to “lead to terrorism” and “promote Islam.”
The Kite Runner
Claims that it “violates the freedom of religion”, because the teenage protagonist questions her Catholic faith. The book has also been challenged because it “deals with issues around race and sexuality.”
The Poet X
Another favorite of mine! Banned and challenged because of “sexual abuse, violence, and the objectification of women”
Their Eyes Were Watching God
KURT VONNEGUT IS MY FAVORITE AUTHOR! Banned and challenged due to concerns about its “vulgar language, violent imagery, and sexual content, as well as its anti-war themes and portrayal of war trauma.”
Slaughterhouse-Five
Banned and challenged due to
“concerns about its language.”
“concerns about its language.”
Catch-22
Banned and challenged due to it's “profanity, sexual content, and portrayal of mature themes like drinking and sex”
The Catcher in the Rye
This incredible book has been banned and challenged due to its “explicit sexual content”
Flowers For Algernon
Banned and challenged due to its “allegorical critique of communism and authoritarianism, particularly its depiction of talking pigs representing dictators." Ironic, isn't it?
Animal Farm
Every. Single. Person. Needs. To. Read. This. Book. Banned and challenged for its “political and social themes, sexual content, and perceived pro-communist views”
1984
Banned and challenged because it “may fuel dangerous Holocaust fallacies” ???
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Banned and challenged due to its “themes of racism and use of racial slurs, as well as concerns about its language and portrayal of certain characters”
To Kill a Mockingbird
Banned and challenged due to concerns about its “themes of rebellion, questioning authority, and dark humor”
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Toni Morrison's incredible work has been banned and challenged due to its “mature content, including graphic depictions of violence, sexual content, and the exploration of slavery's horrors”
Beloved
My favorite work of Angelou's, which has been banned and challenged due to for its “portrayal of sexual abuse, rape, and racism”
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
I'm not going to lie… I hated this book. BUT, I am 100% against it being banned. There is literally NO reason why it should be.
Lord of the Flies
One of the most important books out there, has been banned and challenged due to concerns about its content, including passages about Anne's development and sexuality, which some (ignorant) people perceive as “inappropriate” or that they claim “minim...
The Diary of a Young Girl: The Definitive Edition
I haven't personally read this book but am a fan of Steinbeck's East of Eden. This novel, however, has been banned and challenged due to its “use of profanity, racist language, and portrayal of women and the disabled, as well as its themes of violenc...
Of Mice and Men
Banned and challenged due to it's “portrayal of slavery”
12 Years a Slave
Banned and challenged due to it's “inappropriate language, nudity, violence, and suicide.”
Maus I: A Survivor's Tale - My Father Bleeds
Banned and challenged due to “concerns about its depiction of violence and potential for copycat crimes”
A Clockwork Orange
Banned and challenged due to it's “religious objections, homosexuality, violence, African history, and rape”
The Color Purple
Resources
Here are some great websites that provide information about book bans, including lists of banned/challenged books, book resumes, and ways to resist censorship in your community
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world.
PEN America
Most Banned Books of the 2023-2024 School Year
Banned Books List 2025
Urge congress to resist book censorship! Simply fill out some info and PEN will do the rest of the work for you
Tell Congress: Don't Censor America - PEN America
Data documenting attempts to censor books and materials in public, school, and academic libraries during 2024
Book Ban Data
Book Résumés help teachers, librarians, parents, and community members defend books from censorship. They detail each title’s significance and educational value and are easy to share with administrators, book review committees, elected officials, and...
Book Résumés
Unite Against Book Bans is a national initiative to empower readers everywhere to stand together in the fight against censorship.
Unite Against Book Bans
Other
Here are some book ban related things that I love! Resist censorship by raising awareness
I just bought this one! Support your public library!
What’s More Punk Than The Public Library Comfort Colors Shirt, Librarian Shirt, Read Banned Books, Support Librarian, Librarian Gift
I love this cute embroidered tank! It is the perfect summer top
Read Banned Books Embroidered Women’s micro-rib tank top
Lots of different colors available!
Let's Read Banned Books Shirt, Social Justice Anti Fascist Shirt, Book nerd Shirt, Books Lovers Shirt, Quote Design, Bookworm Shirt
I love this hat
Read Banned Books Embroidered Corduroy Hat | Free Speech Hat | Empowerment Statement Cap
A super cute cropped shirt
Read Banned Books Shirt, Banned Books Crop, Banned Books Comfort Colors Shirt, Boxy Crop Top, Comfort Colors Crop Top
MY FAVORITE!!!
Ban the Fascists Save the Books Subtle FDT Comfort Colors Shirt, Book Lover Anti Trump Tshirt, Save Our Libraries Banned Books, Defund DOGE
Simple yet super cute
Comfort Colors Read Banned Books Shirt, Banned Books T-shirt, Reading Shirt, Librarian Gift, Book Lover Tee, Bookworm Gift
Available in a variety of different colors!
Comfort Colors® I'm With The Banned Shirt, Banned Books T-Shirt, Librarian Shirt, Bookworm Shirt, Read Banned Books, Gift for Book Lover
A puzzle with some of the most banned/challenged books!
Re-marks Banned Books 1,000-Piece Puzzle
The perfect popsocket
Read Banned Books - Retro PopGrip (Forest Green)
This is also available in a super cute rainbow format!
(3 Pcs) Banned Books Vinyl Stickers Set