Banned Books Week 2021

Last week was Banned Books Week! Banned Books Week is celebrated yearly in September or October by librarians, schools, and booksellers, and is a celebration of books and freedom of expression. 

Why are books banned?

There are probably hundreds of reasons why books are banned, but many common ones include

• Inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters
• Allusion to "witchcraft" or "the occult"
  
• Profanity
• Violence
• Religious views (especially when the book promotes views that are less popular)
• Sexual situations or dialogue
• Racial issues

Here is a short list of many banned and challenged picture and chapter books, most of which are quite famous (take that, people who banned them).

Banned and Challenged Picture Books

 

 

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

A sweet story about a family of penguins at the New York City zoo. Why is this one of the most commonly banned books in the U.S.? Well, apparently it was accused of "promoting the gay agenda" and being "anti-family" because the penguin parents are both male (Edmonton Public Library).

 

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig

This classic by William Steig, which is about a donkey child who turns into a rock by wishing on a magic pebble, was banned in multiple places because the police officers are depicted as pigs, and because the separation of Sylvester, the donkey, from his parents was too sad, even though they are *spoiler alert* brought back together in the end. 

 

My Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodavis

The challenging of this book, which is about a young boy who likes wearing dresses, was a classic tale of people who didn't think that a boy wearing dresses was healthy or normal. I wonder why there are, like, fifty picture books about this topic then?

 

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

This book was challenged over 30 years ago because it criticizes humans' destruction of the environment and "criminalized the logging industry" (Edmonton Public Library). How terrifying. Wouldn't want to admit climate change exists or anything. 

 

The Librarian of Basra by Jeanette Winter

A book about books! This true story about an Iraqi librarian's quest to protect her library was banned because it is too "violent" for children, and because it depicts a religion other than Christianity (Edmonton Public Library). Well okay, go ahead and ban 69.9% of the world then. 

In Our Mothers' House by Patricia Polacco

As you have seen the small-mindedness of the world in the banning of the other books on this list so far, it might not surprise you that an amazing book by a talented writer and illustrator about two moms raising a family of adopted minority children has been banned multiple times (especially in Texas). 

The Paper-Bag Princess

It's the classic story of the princess who doesn't want to sew, sit still, or get married. I mean, there have got to be hundreds of these books! And they're all amazing. This book was banned because of "violence" (I mean, there's a dragon) and being "anti-family," because the princess refuses the prince's hand at the end (Edmonton Public Library).

 

Strega Nona by Tomie DePaolo

The most iconic of picture book witch grandmas, Strega Nona was banned for promoting witchcraft. Honestly, I think it should be celebrated for promoting witchcraft (which, to be fair, it wasn't really doing.)

More Banned Picture Books

• Nasreen's Secret School by Jeanette Winter
• I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel
• Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christine Baldacchino
• Asha's Mums by Rosamund Elwin
• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
• Maxine's Tree by Diane Carmel Léger
  

Banned and Challenged Middle Grade Books

 

The Witches by Roald Dahl

The Witches is one of Roald Dahl's famous and deliciously funny books, and is about a boy and his grandmother who discover witches in their hotel who are plotting to turn all children into mice. Just take a look at the title to see why this book was banned. The witches are even depicted in a negative light in this book. Tsk, tsk, muggles these days...

 

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Again, witchcraft, magic, anti-Christianity, etc. Fortunately, they didn't have a chance to squash these books out! Once Harry Potter has entered the world, no silly ban is going to chase him out. 

 

Drama by Raina Telgemeier

This graphic novel by one of my favorite authors was banned because some of the musical-theater-loving protagonist's friends are gay.  (For a more extensive summary of Drama, check out my upcoming list of middle grade graphic novels!)

 

Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume

Many of Judy Blume's books are challenged because of their unabashed discussions of teen challenges and sexuality, and this is true of Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret as well. 

 

The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis

This Newbery-honor and Coretta Scott King Award winner was challenged for mild language and possibly violence. The violence depicted in the book is historical fact, however, as it's about the tragic terrorist bombing of the church in Birmingham, Alabama.  

 

Melissa by Alex Gino (previously titled George)

A top challenged book of 2020, Melissa is about a transgender fourth grade girl who is struggling to tell those around her about her identity. It was banned because, you guessed it, it has LGBTQ+ themes. 

 

Front Desk by Kelly Yang

A few families in New York recently objected to a read-aloud of Front Desk and, though the school eventually decided not to ban it entirely, eight families chose to "opt-out" of reading Front Desk. Probably because it's about immigrants, poverty, racism, and other very true and very important topics.

 

New Kid by Jerry Craft

Yes, the 2021 Newbery winner, and its sequel, Class Act, (which both deal with microaggression) were banned. According to the angry parents, it taught critical race theory. 

 

More Banned Middle Grade Books

• Dragonwings by Laurence Yep
• Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle
• Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
• The Giver by Lois Lowry
• Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
• Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George 

 

Thanks for reading! Be sure to check out a few of these great books. And for more information, visit https://bannedbooksweek.org/.

 Sources

• https://bannedbooksweek.org/about/
• https://epl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/69128707/70680896?page=3
• https://libguides.butler.edu/bannedbooks?p=217686
• https://www.weareteachers.com/banned-book-list/
• https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/slideshow/2351436/banned-books-to-read-with-kids/
• https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/?detailStory=new-kid-front-desk-challenged-alex-gino-talks-impact-of-book-banning
• https://www.ila.org/initiatives/banned-books-week/books-challenged-or-banned-in-2002-2003 
• https://www.amazon.com/