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Must Read Banned Books!
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items Stop and ask yourself … “why are these books banned?". The truth is the shouldn't be. Diversify your bookshelf and check out these must read banned books 📚📖
Sections
3
Adult
YA
Children Books
Adult
One of my favorite writers! This book is banned in schools and libraries because of “its depiction of sexuality, profanity, violence, and religious critique”.
Go Tell It on the Mountain by THEE James Baldwin
Toni Morrison is such a prolific writer. As cited by PBS, The Bluest Eye is challenged “because it contains graphic depictions of incest, child sexual abuse, and rape, alongside mature and disturbing language”.
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
A must read! This book was targeted and banned because it was “accused of potentially causing students psychological distress regarding race or sex”.
This Is Your Time by Civil Rights Icon Ruby Bridges
While being completely nonfiction, Caste was banned in Texas in 2022, causing an uproar among citizens who felt that city officials had censorship in violation of the First Amendment. The book was banned in tandem with a larger group, citing graphic ...
Caste book by Isabel Wilkerson
Dr. Maya Angelou is the most banned author in the U.S and despite this her work remains one of the most celebrated. Her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, has been frequently challenged and banned “for vulgarity and sexually explicit mat...
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Dr. Maya Angelou
This book changed my life and got me back into reading. There were so many stories that I resonated with in this one. Unfortunately, it was recently banned due to “discussions of transgender people and diversity, equity, and inclusion”
Well-Read Black Girl: An Anthology
YA
Such a heartfelt and raw read. The #1 most banned book of 2024 in the United States, according to the American Library Association. Banned due to LGBTQ+ content and considered sexually explicit
All Boys Aren't Blue by George M Johnson
Told in a series of vignettes stunning for their eloquence, The House on Mango Street is Sandra Cisnero's greatly admired novel of a young girl growing up in the Latino section of Chicago. This book was famously banned in Tucson, Arizona, public scho...
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Children Books
A sweet story of two male penguins at the Central Park Zoo who adopt a baby penguin. I'm sure you can imagine why this book was challenged.
And Tango Makes Three (School and Library Edition)
This book highlights Pride with facts about LGBTQ+ history and culture.
This Day in June by Gayle Pitman
Picked up this book at my local library for my niece. Beautiful imagery and it introduces young readers to Black history, culture, and prominent figures.
Black Is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy