The ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) receives reports from libraries, schools, and the media about any attempts to ban books in communities across the country. The ALA then compiles lists of challenged books to inform the public about censorship efforts affecting libraries and schools.
For this month’s suggested reading list, we’ve selected books for all ages that have been challenged or banned.
Below is a brief summary of each book listed, the suggested age range for each book, and the reasons it was challenged or banned. This is your opportunity to check out some wonderful books and determine if your child is ready to expand their reading horizons.
Draw Me a Star by Eric Carle
The story follows a young artist through life, beginning and ending with his drawing of a star.
For ages 3-5
This book has been challenged for an abstract drawing of a naked man and woman and claims that the story has biblical implications by mirroring the creation story.
Selected works by Dr. Seuss (typically for ages 3-7)
Hop on Pop: The Simplest Seuss for Youngest Use
If I Ran the Zoo
And to Think that I saw it on Mulberry Street
The Cat in the Hat
Dr. Seuss’ works have been challenged in recent years because some of his rhymes and illustrations are considered insensitive to other races and cultures.
Daddy’s Roommate by Michael Willhoite (Lambda Literary Award 1991)
Recognized as one of the first children's books dealing with homosexuality, the main character is a young boy whose divorced father now lives with his life partner. The book has been included in many educational programs because of its positive depiction of a gay household. For ages 4 and up
It has been challenged or banned for depictions gay characters and a gay household. From 1990-1999, Daddy’s Roommate was the second-most challenged book in the United States.
What’s the Big Secret? Talking about Sex with Girls and Boys by Marc Brown and Laurie Krasny Brown
Simple, straightforward, and age-appropriate answers to kids' most common questions about sex, the human body, reproduction, and development. For ages 4-7
This book has been challenged for its open discussion of male and female anatomy, references to masturbation and age appropriateness.
Uncle Bobby’s Wedding by Sarah S. Brannen
Bobby and his partner Jamie are getting married, but Chloe worries her Uncle Bobby won’t have time for her after the wedding. Brannen’s book embraces Bobby’s relationship with Jamie while celebrating family and the special bond Bobby has with his niece. For ages 4-8
This book was challenged for depicting a same sex relation and marriage.
Buster’s Sugartime by Marc Brown
When Buster and his dad take a trip to Vermont, Buster discovers many wonderful treats made with maple syrup and camps out in the beautiful woods of Vermont. He gets to spend some quality time with his dad and meets a non-traditional family with two moms. For ages 6-9
The Junie B. Jones Series by Barbara Park
Follow the adventures of Julie B. Jones, a sassy kindergartener known for her bad grammar and wacky adventures. For ages 6-9
This series has been challenged or banned for encouraging disrespectful behavior in children and use of poor grammar by the main character.
This book has been challenged for age appropriateness for its inclusion of a same sex couple.
Prince & Knight* by Daniel Haack, illustrated by Stevie Lewis
This book tells the story of a young prince who falls in love with a knight after they battle a terrible dragon and save the kingdom. The prince and the knight marry at the end of the book. For ages 1-8
It has been challenged and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content and featuring a gay marriage. Opponents of the book claim it deliberately attempts to indoctrinate young children to accept gay marriage and has the potential to cause confusion, curiosity, and gender dysphoria. Concerns were also raised about its themes of acceptance conflicting with religious viewpoints.
I Am Jazz* by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas (Featured on the Top 10 Most Challenged List for 2019, 2017 & 2016)
For ages 4-8
This book is the story of the experiences of a transgender child. It is based on the real-life experiences of Jazz Jennings who has become a spokesperson for transkids.
It has been challenged and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content and its transgender main character. Concerns were expressed because this book confronts a topic that is “sensitive, controversial, and politically charged.”
Drama* written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier (Featured on the Top 10 Most Challenged List for 2019, 2018, 2017 & 2016) For ages 8-11
This is a graphic novel centering on the main character, Callie a middle school student who loves theater and volunteers in her school’s drama department. Along with Callie, readers get a first-hand glimpse of young love, crushes, friendships and building relationships in a supportive environment.
It has been challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and for concerns it goes against “family values/morals” because it accepts and normalizes same sex relationships.
And Tango Makes Three* by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson illustrated by Henry Cole (Featured on the Top 10 Most Challenged List for 2019 & 2017) For ages 4-8
This book tells the story of two male penguins who create a family together after being given an egg to hatch by the zookeeper. It’s based on the true story of two male penguins in the Central Park Zoo in New York.
It has been challenged and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content.
Selected books by Roald Dahl (typically for ages 8-12)
James and the Giant Peach
This book was challenged or banned because of language and frightening situations deemed inappropriate for children.
The Witches
This book has been challenged or banned for being misogynistic because Dahl contended only women could be witches.
The Logan Family Saga by Mildred D. Taylor (for ages 8-14)
Song of the Trees (Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award 1976)
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (Newbery Medal Winner 1977)
Let the Circle be Unbroken (Coretta Scott King Author Award 1982)
The Road to Memphis
The Land (a prequel to the Logan Family Saga - 2002 Coretta Scott King Author Award and the 2002 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction.
This award-winning book series deals with racism in America during the Great Depression and Jim Crow era.
This series has been challenged or banned for racial bias, racial slurs, and age appropriateness.
The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
This popular series is about an orphaned boy, Harry Potter who learns he is a wizard. He travels to the wizard in world to attend Hogwarts, a special school for wizards where he meets learns the truth about his parent’s death and learns to accept his destiny with the help of friends Ron and Hermione. For children, teens, YA, and adults
This series has been challenged and banned for depictions of witchcraft and wizardry. Controversy over the series has recently returned to the news after a priest in Tennessee ordered the books be banned from a Catholic school because reciting spells and incantations from the books posed a real-life threat of conjuring demons and evil spirits.
Books for middle schoolers, teens, and YA by Judy Blume
“Something in every book will be offensive to someone, so you have to fight it.” Judy Blume
Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret
Blubber
Iggie's House
It's Not the End of the World
Just as Long as We're Together
Deenie
Then Again, Maybe I Won't
Forever
Here's to You, Rachel Robinson
Blume's books have sold over 82 million copies and they've been translated into 32 languages. During her life, she won more than 90 literary awards, including three lifetime achievement awards in the U.S. for "significant and lasting contributions to young adult literature."
Blume is one of the most challenged authors on the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom Challenged or Banned Books List since the ALA began publishing this information in 1990. Her works have been challenged for scenes dealing with racism, menstruation, teen sexuality and masturbation, bullying, divorce, and family issues.
Sources for this list of books:
https://www.epl.org/booklist/shhhh-these-kids-books-have-been-banned-or-challenged/
https://www.bustle.com/articles/183209-15-quotes-about-censorship-and-the-danger-of-banning-books