Over 11,300 books have been challenged since Banned Books Week—a week in September started to celebrate the freedom to read—started in 1982. Books are most commonly banned for sexually explicit material, offensive language, unsuited for the age group, violence, or homosexuality. However, these materials are even more important to read because they voice ideas that are not just important. Ideas are powerful.
Books are a medium to convey these powerful ideas. And these powerful ideas should not be censored. These books challenge us to understand something different and to do better. And they're books you should put on your reading list—even if you aren't an avid reader—because they represent important ideas or cultural revolutions that you should be aware of.
1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
This book was published in 1964, and has been banned for rape, profanity, and racism.
2. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
The first installation in this series was published in 1997. It has been banned for witchcraft and violence.
3. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Published in 2003, it has been banned in other countries for profanity, violence, sexually explicit material, and religious beliefs.
4. Looking for Alaska by John Green
Green's book was published in 2005 and was banned for sexually explicit material, profanity, homosexuality, and religious beliefs.
5. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
This 1999 book was banned for sexually explicit material.
6. The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
After its publication in 2005, this memoir was banned for violence and profanity.
7. Beloved by Toni Morrison
This book was published in 1987 but still receives attention for being banned for violence and sexually explicit material.
8. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
This 2004 novel was banned for violence, sexually explicit material, and profanity.
9. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
This classic, published in 1982, was banned for sexually explicit material, race relations, and religious beliefs.
10. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
This 1969 autobiography was banned for childhood rape and race relations.
11. The Alice series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
This 25 Young Adult series was banned for sexually explicit content.
12. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleline L'Engle
This 1962 fantasy novel was banned for underlying religious beliefs.
13. The Giver by Lois Lowry
This 1993 dystopian classic was banned for euthanasia, sexuality, and suicide.
14. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
This 1977 child fantasy book was banned for profanity, fantasy world, and death.
15. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Many attempted to ban this book, leading to irony as books are illegal in Bradbury's novel. But it makes this list because it shows the importance of literature and reading. A quote from Bradbury to sum it all up: "a book is a loaded gun."
I hope you enjoy this list and embrace your freedom to read!
