School Books That Can No Longer Be Taught
By Nick Hadji
7 months ago
1. Gender Queer: A Memoir
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Gender Queer is a book written by Maja Kobabe in 2022. It revolves around issues regarding gender, and sexuality and it focuses on her own struggles as a child and teen as a non-binary person and how growing up as non-binary in society affected her. It's an extremely topical book but the American Library Association deemed Gender Queer: A Memoir inappropriate for schools and it became the most challenged book of the year 2022. It was challenged on 151 different occasions and raised a huge amount of controversy.Original content sourced from Femanin.com2. To Kill A Mockingbird
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To Kill a Mockingbird is considered one of the literary classics and greats. It was written by Harper Lee and it is set in the 1980s. It was banned from schools in the USA, particularly in Tennessee, due to its use of racial slurs and talks of sexual abuse. These themes are included in the novel as it is set in the 80s and portrays topics that were happening at the time. But despite it being a reflection of attitudes and social issues at the time (such as racism and sexism), it was one of the books which made it into the top 10 most challenged books.3. Harry Potter
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It may sound shocking that even books such as Harry Potter were deemed inappropriate. In Tennessee, it was banned from many schools. One parent wrote in to board members to complain about Harry Potter being read out in class. He claimed that these were real-life curses which he didn't want to happen in real life when they were read aloud. It was also deemed anti-family and violent. And so Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone because of one of the most controversial and banned books in the USA.4. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
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The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a classic novel that had been taught in schools for many years, until recently when it was banned. It was deemed inappropriate to be taught in schools, mainly due to its representation of African Americans. Again, the book demonstrated views of the time which are deemed totally unacceptable now. But, the book has actually been banned ever since it was published for a variety of reasons. And so it has always remained controversial for different reasons over the years.5. The Diary of Anne Frank
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The Diary of Anne Frank is an amazing display of strength and historic importance, it is a diary written by Anne Frank who was a teenager hiding with her family in a secret annex during the holocaust. The diary has been banned in schools in the USA to some sections of the diary talking quite explicitly about Anne Frank's exploration of the female body as a teenage girl. Parents and board members deemed it not suitable to be taught in schools and so it was one of many books to make the banned list.6. Of Mice and Men
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Of Mice and Men is a novel written by John Steinbeck and it is set during The Great Depression in the USA. It is one of those books which has been taught in schools for a very long time. Yet, in many schools in the USA, it is banned from being taught. Some of the reasons were because it included 'profanity' and inappropriate themes. Alabama was amongst some of the states which were vehement about Of Mice and Men not being taught in schools and it was banned across all school literary specifications.7. Thirteen Reasons Why
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13 Reasons Why is a book written in modern times (by Jay Asher) about a schoolgirl who takes her own life and leaves tapes to different people. The tapes discuss how she felt and different emotions which may have contributed to her death. But many teachers and parents were concerned about 13 Reasons Why being taught in schools due to the extreme content of the book. In 2017 it was challenged and then banned in many USA schools as it was overruled that it was not suitable and it was thought that it could affect students negatively.8. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
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An even greater surprise may be that a dictionary has been banned by many schools in the state. In fact, it has been banned in a lot of state schools since 1982 for giving definitions of words that are deemed inappropriate. For example, words of a sexual nature, taboo words, or cuss words seemed unsuitable for young readers. Parents and teachers also didn't like the descriptions of these words. Yet, for the very purpose of a dictionary...it contains all words unless a new and censored version is created, by the very nature of a dictionary some words are going to be unpleasant to read!=9. The Hate U Give
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The Hate U Give is a modern novel written by Angie Thomas. It regards a very topical and important topic regarding police brutality against a black teenager. Amidst the crisis we have faced in recent times, the book was very relevant. But, that didn't mean that it was any less controversial amongst parents and school board members. In Texas, The Hate U Give has been banned from being taught in schools. And in other states, there is a constant battle between banning it and reinstating it due to the fact that it includes themes regarding violence, racism, and police brutality.10. The Catcher in the Rye
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The Catcher in the Rye was written by J.D. Salinger. Again, it is considered a novel of literary excellence and has made the list of classics that are read worldwide. Yet, it has been removed from the reading list in many schools because it contains 'obscenities and profanities'. The book has been appealed in many cases, but in many schools, the novel remains banned. There is contention between those who are passionate about the book being taught, and those who think it contains certain things that aren't appropriate for younger readers.11. The Color Purple
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The Color Purple is another novel written in the 1980s that has found itself on the list of banned books from schools. Some parents complained that the book was X rated. The book explores themes of race, religion, and God as well as the history of Africa. It also explores topics around human sexuality. These themes raised controversy amongst teachers and parents and the majority deemed it a book that should no longer be taught in schools, despite it covering super important issues in society both then and now.12. Animal Farm
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Animal Farm is one of the best-known novels all around the world. It was written by George Orwell and published in 1945. It was written as a social commentary on the Russian Revolution and it was written in a metaphorical style with the animals and the farm representing different historical figures and events at the time. Animal Farm was banned in many schools in the USA, however, this ban was overturned in some states and it remains taught in some classrooms around the world still as an important historical commentary.13. The Great Gatsby
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The Great Gatsby is a novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald and set in the 1920s. In the plot of the novel, Jay Gatsby falls in love with Daisy Buchanan however it is much more complex than a love story of unrequited love. It comments on the struggles of the class system, as well as the American dream. The reason that it has been banned in many of the States schools is that it features huge parties filled with alcohol which was viewed as hedonistic. In fact, it was banned in some schools back in banned in 1987.14. Looking For Alaska
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Looking For Alaska is a novel written by John Green. It was published in 2005 and became challenged in 2015 and banned in some schools throughout the USA and the world for containing offensive language, as well as explicit sexual constant. The book has been praised for its excellence, yet parents and some school board members have found that it is too controversial for their liking. The characters navigate their personal lives and face tragedies as they struggle to find their place amongst the complex world.15. Maus
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Maus is a graphic novel that was written by Art Spiegelman. It was initially released in two parts, one in 1986 and the second part in 1991. It was a memoir about her father's life as a survivor of the Holocaust. But, in Tennessee, it was banned despite being a very important novel regarding historical events. It was deemed by some to have graphic content as well as being deemed inappropriate due to references to nudity. Despite schools banning the book, it was widely celebrated as a literary success and it won many awards.16. Charlotte's Web
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It's hard to believe that Charlotte's Web, a famous tale written for children could have been offensive to many. The story was written by E.B White and it became, and still is to this day, a hugely popular and loved children's story. But, it was banned in 2006 in a school in Kansas and currently remains on the 'banned list'. The reason was that people did not agree with talking animals and some parents deemed it 'unnatural'; and it was even called blasphemous by some for displaying unnatural behavior.17. Where the Wild Things Are
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Maurice Sendak wrote Where the Wild Things Are as a children's picture book. It was published in 1962 and quickly captivated the minds of children and parents. It sold 19 million copies which pays homage to the fact it was so widely loved and popular. But, in certain areas, parents were concerned that it was 'offensive' and it has been banned in some schools since the 1960s. One of the main reasons that were listed is because Max is sent to bed without supper, which parents found too upsetting for their children to read about.18. The Outsiders
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The Outsiders written by S.E Hinton is a novel aimed at young adults. It was published in 1967 and the story revolved around two gangs that are made up of groups of rivaling teenagers. The book raises issues about social classes and people who have been marginalized by society. But, the novel was banned in many schools due to the themes it raised, such as fighting and crime, which many parents raised as a concern as they did not want the novel influencing their children into joining gangs in the future.19. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
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This book, 'Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?' is one of the books on the list which should definitely not have been banned due to the reasons given, given that the reason was actually totally false. The book was written for children by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle. But the author Martin Jr. shares a name with a famous Marxist theorist called Bill Martin. Some people confused the two, and mistaking one for the other, the book was banned in 2010 do potential Marxist views - despite the fact that it was a different man entirely.20. Lolita
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Lolita is a novel written by Vladimir Nabokov about a a professor of middle-aged who falls in love with one of his students who is very young, just 12 years old. It's hugely controversial as it is meant to be, it was intended to spark debate and that is exactly what the author succeeded in doing. Yet, it also got banned from the school book list across the USA and many other countries due to the nature of the book. Because if the sensitive content it was considered potentially harmful for young readers to read the book.21. The Handmaid's Tale
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The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood (published in 1995) has become even more popular and talked about recently due to the screen adaptation. In the novel, the author has created a dystopian world called 'Gilead' which features themes of sexism, oppression, social control, and religion in what she views as a potential for the near future. Many parents in particular did not agree with the way the novel depicted religion and so the book was banned in schools, despite its very thought-provoking message and plot.22. 1984
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George Orwell's 1984 is one of THE most world-renowned novels ever. Orwell created a story that became known for its depiction of the future of American politics. The novel highlights the dangers of totalitarianism and being watched and controlled continuously which Orwell is warning us is the potential in the future of the modern world. The novel was first banned by Kansas and then many other states also did the same. But, the novel is super effective in raising concerns about control and power and false agendas.23. Dr Seuss
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Dr. Seuss has had MANY novels banned. One of the reasons for banning The Lorax in particular was cited as portraying what was deemed as racist imagery. For example, there were images of an Asian person holding chopsticks. And, in the book, the character is speaking for the trees which some board members and parents claimed it was portraying the forestry industry in a negative light which could be detrimental if they allowed children to read it. There were endless reasons given by parents which is why many novels became banned.24. Al Capone Does My Shirts
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Al Capone Does My Shirts is a novel written by Gennifer Choldenko in 2006. It was immediately nominated for awards for being a success and a powerful story. The plot was set in the 1930s and it is about a boy named Moose who lives on Alcatraz island with his little sister named Natalie and the two of them live with Al Capone. The novel was banned in many states, and it was first banned in New York. One of the reasons that was given was because it was stereotyping, as well as glorifying Al Capone and his behavior.25. Dead Poets Society
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The novel, Dead Poets Society was written by N.H. Kleinbaum and it was so popular with readers and sold so many copies that it was adapted into a movie too. In the book the poet named John Keaton took his students on a trip and tried to encourage them to take part of the poet group - Dead Poets Society. But, a pastor who comes from Illinois deemed the book to contain sexual content and he even used the term 'disturbing' to describe the book. And so, it was put straight on the banned list for many schools.26. In Cold Blood
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In Cold Blood is a novel written by Truman Capote in 1966. It is a true crime novel and the storyline revolves around a murder mystery plot where they try to work out who murdered the Clutter family, and it was based on real evidence from the case. He worked on this particular novel with Harper Lee (author of the fellow banned book To Kill A Mockingbird). In Cold Blood was banned in schools in Savannah for containing themes of a sexual nature as well as violence which was thought to be potentially psychologically harmful to children.27. Death and the Maiden
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Ariel Dorfman wrote Death and the Maiden which is actually a play, published as a book. It follows the lives of three main characters who have each faced their own form of tragedy or dramatic life. The book Death and the Maiden is an intense storyline as it regards important themes of justice and betrayal as well as suffering, and it won awards for its literary excellence. But, New Jersey High School put the book on the banned list in 2016 and it has not managed to be removed from that list as of yet.28. Rabbit, Run
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Rabbit, Run was written by John Updike and published in the 1960s. The novel's story surrounded a character Harry Armstrong also nicknamed 'Rabbit' is a 26-year-old and there were many more books published around the life of this same character. Harry Armstrong is a man who is struggling with his life in an unhappy marriage and his job and the novel raises concerns about the American Dream and post-war America. There are explicit scenes of a sexual nature which is the reason it became banned from many school book lists in the states.29. Cat's Cradle
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Kurt Vonnegut wrote Cat's Cradle which is set in the 1960s. It is a sci-fi novel with satirical tones. But, it was banned in many states due to it critiquing themes of religion, science, and also politics which some people voted was blasphemous and could potentially corrupt the minds of young people, despite just being intended as a kind of social commentary by the author who raises various social issues in a satirical way. The novel talks about an atomic bomb that can potentially destroy all life, it is done so in a satirical way but it revolved around important issues.30. Brave New World
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Brave New World is a novel by Aldous Huxley about a dystopian society. The plot raised issues about a world in which everything was controlled and there were no freedoms, not even the freedom to display emotion. Consumerism and immediate gratification were the ways in which social order was maintained. In Delaware High School the novel was banned due to explicit content, racism, as well as featuring parties fuelled with illegal substances. The novel was a commentary on a world solely focused on enjoyment and hedonism31. And Tango Makes Three
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Looking at this adorable cover for this children's book, you might think why on earth a book about penguins caring for a penguin baby would be banned. This book was actually inspired by a real life event of two male penguins who became close at the Central Park Zoo in New York City and bonded. The pair of male penguins in this story bonded and were looking after a rock as though it was their baby egg. After seeing this, zookeepers then gave them a real egg to look after and raise, with Tango the chick being born. People thought the book was inappropriate because of its "homosexual overtones".32. Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, And You
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This book by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds was a children's book written and published to explore the issue of racism. It was then controversial simply because it was a book that spoke of racism that was deemed inappropriate for children in school's to read, despite the fact it's an important topic. The book was even used and seen being held by Senator Ted Cruz when he attended a hearing of Supreme Court Justice Kentanji Brown Jackson to discuss what she thought about critical race theory. The book has been banned five times.33. The Infinite Moment of Us
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