We are continuing our recognition of Banned Book Week with lists of some of the most challenged books.
Over the years, books have been challenged for a wide variety of reasons. Some for referring to magic and witchcraft (The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, for example), or tackling difficult subjects like teen suicide (such as Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher). Still others were deemed questionable because of offensive language (Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey) or for promoting non-Christian religions (Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini). Many books have been denounced because of sexual content, violence and content deemed not age-appropriate.
The most commonly challenged books today deal with LGBTQ content. George by Alex Gino, which is about a transgender child, has been on the list every year since 2016. And there are so many others.
Here is a partial list of books that have been challenged or banned in our country. We encourage you to read them and enjoy!! The links below will take you to digital copies available from our online resourfes. Many of these titles are also available in print or audiobook format in our physical collection. Put one on hold today!
Top Ten Most Challenged Books for 2019
George by Alex Gino
Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin
A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Marlon Bundo and Jill Twiss
Sex is Funny Word: A Book about Bodies, Feelings, and YOU by Cory Silverberg
Prince & Knight by Daniel Haak (Print)
I am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings (Print)
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Drama by Raina Telegemeir
The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
Banned and Challenged Classics
Animal Farm by George Orwell
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (Print)
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Baldwin (Print)
The Lords of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
A Separate Peace by John Knowles
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
Frequently Banned and Challenged Young Adult Books
Speak
by Laurie Halse
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Paper Towns by John Green
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Frequently Challenged Children’s Books
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’ Engle
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (Print)
Dragonwings by Lawrence Yep (Print)
Where Did I Come From? by Peter Mayle
The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park
A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
Where’s Waldo by Martin Hanford
The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox
Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers
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