Guess what all of these books have in common? They're all banned.
Banned books are books or printed writing that has been removed from libraries, schools, bookstores, etc. due to controversial content. A book can be challenged by a parent whose child is attending a school and has a book on their curriculum/in their library. While these books do become banned, there's a large population of people who disagree.
Let's talk about some books you probably didn't know are banned (and you'll definitely upset at the reasons why).
- Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
If you've read Perks of Being a Wallflower, you can probably guess the reasons why it's banned. There's sexual explicit content constantly throughout the book but it still remains an important read. This book was banned for several different reasons but the main ones being:
- homosexuality
- date rape
- glorification and use of drugs and alcohol
- sexual content (masturbation)
Yes, books are being banned for homosexual content in 2017 and 2018. Unfortunately.
- Looking for Alaska by John Green
John Green will forever fight against the book being banned. This book being banned is quite shocking because I've read it and couldn't exactly come up with a reason on why it was taken out of schools and challenged over and over again. It's banned for reasons like:
- inappropriate language (cursing)
- use of drugs + alcohol
- pornography
- Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
I literally had no clue that this book was challenged and considered a banned book. I've read this book twice and I genuinely love it. But, it's considered a banned book. Here are the reasons:
- profanity
- pornography
If I remember clearly, Eleanor and Park is far away from smut. But, it was pulled from schools for it's "vile" and "nasty" language and it's "trash" content. (You've got to be kidding me, right?)
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
I've read Sherman Alexie's work in school before and never had a problem with it. I've also owned this book for years and had no idea it was banned. It remains on several lists of banned books and has been challenged multiple times. But, why?
- excerpts on masturbation
- vulgarity
- racism
- anti-Christian content
- encouraging pornography
Yes, you heard that right. It was banned and a reason stated that it was due to it's anti-Christian content.
Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone by J.K. Rowling
Now, I knew this book was banned for ridiculous reasons. But, there's still some people out there who have no idea. If you've read Harry Potter and didn't know it was banned, I'm assuming you'd be clueless as to why it's a banned and challenged book. Well, it's for things like:
- inappropriate language
- glorifying magic and the occult
- violence
- religious reasons
Basically, I grew up hearing that Harry Potter is a banned book due to it's glorification of witch craft. Again, yes, you heard that right. *sigh*
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
The Hate U Give was published in 2017 and remained on the New York Times young adult best-sellers list for weeks on end. It's won the National Book Award for young people's literature and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award in fiction. It was one of the most talked about books of last year and to this date. It's clearly inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and covers the very important current topic of police brutality. It's even currently being turned into a film. But, it's been recently banned.
- foul language
- "normalized sexual activity"
- use of drugs
Despite the banning, the book still remains in some schools and is taught to be a very important book. The author herself even spoke out about the banning on Twitter but remains inspired to write.
As you can see, books that are banned are usually significant in their times. They discuss topics that we should be exposed to and understand. It's unfortunate that these books are banned and considered wrong to parents and others, but people still have access to them. If you look at your own bookshelves, I'm sure you'll find several if not many books that are already banned or being challenged. Can you guess why?
If you guys know any books that you think I'd be shocked to hear they're banned, let me know!
I've listed some sources I've used below but feel free to correct me if I misspoke on anything!
Sources:
- http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/banned-absolutely-true-diary-part-time-indian/
- https://www.oif.ala.org/oif/?p=11958
- http://www.bannedlibrary.com/podcast/2017/7/2/banned-100-looking-for-alaska-part-1
- https://www.oif.ala.org/oif/?p=10636
- https://www.bookweb.org/news/perks-being-wallflower-banned-after-parent-complains
- http://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbooks/books/perks.asp
- http://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbooks/books/eleanorandpark.asp
- https://www.oif.ala.org/oif/?p=9248
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