What are 3 books that have been banned? A Look at Censorship and Book Banning in Schools

The act of banning books is nearly as old as the written word itself. From ancient texts deemed heretical to modern young adult novels accused of promoting witchcraft, human societies have long engaged in censorship of ideas, opinions and stories they consider dangerous, offensive or inappropriate. While banning books may seem antiquated, it persists today, especially in school and library settings meant to serve children and teenagers.

Why Are Books Banned?

Books most commonly face censorship challenges and bans due to objections over their content and messaging. Reasons cited by would-be censors include:

• Profanity, vulgarity or sexual explicitness
• Depictions of violence, substance use or suicide
• Criticism of religion, politics or society
• Challenging of traditional values or morality
• Racism, sexism and other derogatory portrayals
• Occult themes, witchcraft and supernatural elements
• Sexual orientation and gender identity themes

While a few bans have stemmed from concerns over age-appropriateness, most instead aim to suppress ideas and prevent access to literature deemed subversive, heretical or immoral by its critics.

A History of Banned Books

Book banning has a long history, with everything from the Bible to Shakespeare facing censorship over the centuries. Some famous banned books include:

• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain: Banned for racism, coarse language and other content deemed inappropriate for children. Frequently challenged in the U.S. since its 1884 publication.

• The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger: Banned for vulgar language, sexual themes and Holden Caulfield‘s rebellious nature. One of the most banned U.S. books.

• Ulysses by James Joyce: Banned for obscenity in the U.S. and U.K. until the 1930s due to its sexual content and coarse language.

• The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck: Banned and burned in many places in the U.S. for offensive language and socialist themes.

• Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov: Banned in France, England, Argentina and New Zealand for dealing with pedophilia, a taboo subject.

• Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut: Banned by many U.S. schools and libraries for profanity, graphic sex and violence.

• Beloved by Toni Morrison: Banned for violence, racism and sexism. Frequently appears on challenged book lists.

• The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison: Banned and restricted for incest, rape and pedophilia.

• The Color Purple by Alice Walker: Banned and restricted for its explicit content concerning rape, incest, sexism and lesbian relationships.

• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: Banned and challenged for racism despite its anti-racist message.

Why Do Schools and Libraries Ban Books?

In the U.S., most book bans have occurred in school or library settings. Reasons include:

• Protecting children from upsetting, complex or inappropriate content

• Shielding students from ideas or language administrators deem harmful

• Placating offended parents and community members

• Enforcing broader social or religious taboos

• Averting controversy or backlash

Critics argue bans limit exposure to diverse ideas and important social commentary found in many banned books. They claim censorship does more harm than good by priming intolerance versus critical thinking.

Those who support book bans counter that schools and libraries should cater to local standards and parent preferences when deciding on materials for minors.

Who Initiates Bans?

• Parents: Many bans stem from parental complaints over content, language, themes etc.

• Teachers: Educators sometimes resist teaching controversial texts or seek approval from administrators.

• School boards: These elected or appointed bodies set policies limiting or prohibiting access to certain books.

• Librarians: May restrict or resist acquisition of controversial works due to budget constraints, limited shelf space or fear of backlash.

• Administrators: Principals and superintendents have substantial power over curriculum and library contents.

• Political/religious groups: Well-organized lobbies often pressure schools and libraries to restrict literature conflicting with their agendas.

• Students: Generally oppose bans, but formal challenges are rare.

Notable Banned Children‘s Books

Children‘s literature frequently faces censorship challenges:

• Charlotte‘s Web by E.B. White: Banned for talking animals seen as akin to witchcraft and opposition to meat eating.

• A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein: Banned for poems about suicide, cannibalism and profanity.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr: Banned due to author mistaken for a different Bill Martin with Marxist philosophies.

• James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl: Banned for magical elements, profanity and frightening content.

• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein: Banned and challenged for gender stereotypes, anthropomorphic trees and the boy‘s selfishness.

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss: Criticized for Sam-I-Am‘s persistent pestering of the unnamed character to eat the green eggs and ham.

• Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling: Banned and restricted for witchcraft and magic. Tops recent ban lists.

• Captain Underpants novels by Dav Pilkey: Criticized for toilet humor, disobedience, violence and defiant attitudes toward authority.

• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie: Banned for racism, sexuality and profanity.

Banning Diverse Children‘s Books

As diversity in children‘s publishing grows, books starring non-white, LGBTQ+ and disabled characters increasingly land on banned book lists. Critics argue these bans harm marginalized youth who rarely see themselves reflected in literature.

Banned Young Adult Literature

As gatekeepers, schools often censor literature aimed at teenagers:

• The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins: Banned, restricted or challenged for glorified violence and unsuited themes.

• The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky: Banned and challenged for drug use, homosexuality, abortion and offensive language.

• Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher: Criticized for suicide themes.

• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie: Criticized for controversial issues like racism, poverty, sexuality and profanity.

• Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson: Banned and challenged for covering rape. Critics say it‘s sexually explicit, though supporters disagree.

• Looking for Alaska by John Green: Banned in some schools for sexual content and profanity.

• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas: Challenged and banned despite its anti-racism message, including a 2018 ban in a Texas school district.

Classics Like Catcher in the Rye Still Facing Censorship

Though published decades ago, modern attempts to ban classic novels like The Catcher in the Rye persist because of continued objections over profanity, sexuality, substance use and other content:

• Holden Caulfield‘s cynical, defiant attitude offends some critics who argue he‘s a poor role model.

• References to smoking, drinking and sex were shocking when published in 1951. While less provocative now, some argue the book normalizes vice and bad behavior in teens.

• Frequent use of curse words throughout the novel draws consistent complaints. Opponents of Catcher bans argue this language authentically portrays frustrated, rebellious teens.

• Holden‘s admission to hiring a prostitute is still controversial. Supporters argue this encounters sheds light on his painful loneliness versus glorifying sex work.

Why Banning The Catcher in the Rye is Problematic

• Hinders meaningful dialogue about mental health, trauma, alienation and adolescence.

• Robs students of cultural touchstone most regard as safe, respected classic.

• Impedes access to well-regarded work of literature.

• Violates principles of intellectual freedom and First Amendment.

• Underestimates teenage readers‘ ability to analyze nuanced, complex literature.

• Disregards modern context and evolution in what‘s considered offensive, especially language.

The Complex History of Banning Little House on the Prairie Books

Though beloved classics, some of Laura Ingalls Wilder‘s Little House books have prompted bans due to stereotypical, offensive portrayals of Native Americans. Critics argue the books gloss over harsh realities of settler colonialism, portraying white pioneer families as heroic while dehumanizing indigenous people as savage obstacles blocking civilization‘s march westward.

Bans remain divisive though, with Wilder‘swork still beloved by many. Supporters argue censorship fails to address systemic racism and robs readers of teachable moments about prejudice. Some suggest retaining the books but providing proper context about depictions of Native Americans to foster productive conversations versus suppressing challenging ideas.

This nuanced debate around Wilder‘s books highlights key questions around banning controversial classics in an era re-examining systemic prejudices embedded in revered texts versus shielding young readers from racism.

Banning Books Stifles Dialogue, Growth

For children and teens, exposure to varied, complex literature promotes:

• Empathy for those different from oneself.

• Greater understanding of history, society and diverse cultures/experiences.

• Dialogue and critical thinking around injustice, inequality and oppression.

• Individual values formation based on exposure to competing ideas, unlike spoon-fed dogma.

• Intellectual freedom, curiosity and open-mindedness.

• Lifelong reading habits and literacy.

Though parents reasonably want to shield children from upsetting content, many educators and freedom advocates argue literature‘s benefits outweigh risks of exposure to controversial ideas or language.

Through guidance, not censorship, children can thoughtfully discuss challenging topics and respectfully disagree with objectionable viewpoints encountered in literature. Modeling open-minded inquiry, versus suppressing uncomfortable ideas, fosters human understanding.

The Bottom Line: Guidance Over Bans

Rather than bans, schools and libraries can:

• Craft collections reflecting community standards and diversity.

• Support teachers and librarians addressing controversial texts.

• Develop opt-out policies allowing families to avoid disputed materials.

• Provide context on dated/offensive historical views and language in classics.

• Host open forums for parents, officials and educators to find common ground.

• Teach media literacy skills to empower students as savvy readers.

• Adopt clear challenge policies so bans aren‘t imposed rashly.

• Focus on guidance so students can critically examine issues from various angles.