According to the American Library Association, Banned Books Week spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. This annual event invites everyone to celebrate the freedom to read, as well as the freedom to seek and express ideas--even those some consider to be unorthodox or unpopular. To celebrate, the RHPL staff is sharing their favorite banned or challenged books!
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Published in 1960, Lee's work examines tough topics through the perspective of 10-year-old Scout. Our staff member says, "The character of Atticus Finch is such a good example of all that is good in people (in spite what of Go Set a Watchman tells us). He is kind to his children and believes in justice for all people."
Banned or challenged for: profanity, adult themes, racial themes
Available at: All MLC libraries
Sula by Toni Morrison
Morrison's second novel follows the titular character from youth to adulthood as she grapples with themes of motherhood, friendship, and adversity. Our staff member picked Sula because "Morrison's writing is strong and beautifully crafted. She weaves magical realism throughout the novel and her power flows through the pages."
Banned or challenged for: sexual content, language
Available at: Ferguson, Kirkwood, Maplewood, Richmond Heights, Rock Hill, University City, Webster Groves
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
This YA favorite is a coming-of-age tale that deals with common aspects of adolescence, including more taboo themes such as mental health, sexuality, and drug use. These topics, among others, have lead to many challenges and bans of Chbosky's book across the US.
Banned or challenged for: sexual references, alcohol and drug use, LGBTQ+ themes, language
Available at: Brentwood, Ferguson, Kirkwood, Maplewood, Richmond Heights, Rock Hill, University City, Webster Groves
Looking for Alaska by John Green
Green's loosely autobiographical first novel is a hit with adolescent readers. Miles, the young main character, struggles with grief as he searches for the deeper meaning of life. Obsessed with famous last words, Miles goes to seek a "Great Perhaps", which are the famous last words of writer François Rabelais. According to our staff member, "It is a sweet, tragic story. Well-written with sympathetic characters, this story will stay with you forever."
Banned or challenged for: language, sexual content, underage drinking/drugs/smoking
Available at: Brentwood, Ferguson, Kirkwood, Maplewood, Richmond Heights, Rock Hill, University City, Webster Groves
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
This novella by John Steinbeck narrates the experiences of two migrant workers during the Great Depression. Now considered a classic, Of Mice and Men is a frequent target for bans and challenges and is, in fact, one of the most challenged books of the 21st century. So, why did our staff member choose this book? "In spite of the ending, I think this book demonstrates how friends protect each other."
Banned or challenged for: profanity, violence, sexual content, "morbid and depressing themes"
Available at: All MLC libraries
Annie on my Mind by Nancy Garden
Garden's 1982 novel depicts the budding romantic relationship between two 17-year-old girls in New York City and was integral in helping many people understand that LGBTQ+ relationships can be based on romance and love rather than just sexuality. Our staff member says, "This book is so sweet and pure. When I first read it, I had no idea that this book had been burned in Kansas because of its contents, and I had no idea that it had stirred up so much controversy. All I knew was that Garden's beautiful work had come to me at an integral time in my adolescence."
Banned or challenged for: LGBTQ+ themes; publicly burned in Kansas City, MO
Available at: Ferguson, Maplewood, University City
The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater
Slater's non-fiction work tells the story of Sasha and Richard, two regular teenagers whose lives change irrevocably after a chance encounter. Slater carefully details the event in question while examining broader societal issues regarding the criminal justice system, gender, class, and more.
Banned or challenged for: mature content, explicit language, LGBTQ+ themes
Available at: Brentwood, Kirkwood, Maplewood, Richmond Heights, Rock Hill, University City
Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block
Block's debut novel is widely recognized as a classic of YA literature. Full of magical realism and dreamy scenes of Los Angeles, Weetzie Bat has captured the hearts of outsiders everywhere, though its depiction of issues such as blended families, AIDS, and other subjects that were taboo at the time of publication has made the book a target for bans and challenges.
Banned or challenged for: sexual content, LGBTQ+ themes
Available at: Ferguson, Maplewood, Richmond Heights, Rock Hill, University City
1984 by George Orwell
This dystopian novel was Orwell's final book completed in his lifetime. The book has been subjected to numerous bans and challenges across the U.S. Nationalism, surveillance, and censorship, among other themes found in the book have, ironically, been cited as the reasons behind these attempts at censorship.
Banned or challenged for: "pro-communist" themes, explicit sexual matter
Available at: Brentwood, Ferguson, Kirkwood, Maplewood, Richmond Heights, Rock Hill, University City, Webster Groves
This One Summer by Jillian and Mariko Tamaki
Graphic novels are becoming increasingly widespread, especially among younger readers, and This One Summer is no stranger to popularity and controversy. Teenage friends Rose and Windy spend their summer vacation exploring their budding interest in boys while secondary characters struggle with other mature problems.
Banned or challenged for: profanity, sexual references, drug use, LGBTQ+ themes, certain illustrations
Available at: Brentwood, Ferguson, Kirkwood, Richmond Heights, Rock Hill, University City
Books are still being banned across the country every single day, but they are still widely available thanks to the many people who speak out for the freedom to read and ensure access to all materials. You can check out any of these banned books and more during curbside hours, which are Monday-Friday from 12-6 PM and Saturdays from 10 AM-2 PM. Call us at 314-962-4723 or email patron@rhplmo.org to check for availability, and we hope to see you soon! Happy reading!
Sources:
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/classics
https://www.ila.org/content/documents/2001banned.pdf
https://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbooks/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower/
https://www.oif.ala.org/oif/?p=1525#:~:text=The%20Perks%20of%20Being%20a%20Wallflower%20was%20one%20of%20the,sex%2C%20drugs%2C%20and%20suicide.
https://blog.chron.com/bookish/2011/09/books-banned-in-texas/
https://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster-kirkwoodtimes/book-with-explicit-language-to-stay-in-school-library/article_c5ccda04-69f7-11ea-a10b-6bcdaa306b86.html
https://ncac.org/update/books-in-trouble-2
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10
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