RHPL is making it even easier for patrons to read books that have been targeted for removal with the Libby app! This user-friendly app from Overdrive has thousands of ebooks and audiobooks available at the touch of a button and can be downloaded on your device for free. Read on to discover twelve banned books available to read through Libby, and be sure to explore the app for even more titles. Happy reading!
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The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison- Toni Morrison's first novel follows Pecola Breedlove, a young girl who dreams of having blue eyes so she will be as beloved as other children with blonde hair and blue eyes. Instead, Pecola faces racism and violence at every turn, resulting in a devastating, heartbreaking read. This book has been banned and challenged for offensive language and depictions of sexual violence.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck- This famous novella from John Steinbeck chronicles the experiences of George and Lennie, two friends who move from place to place in California in search of new job opportunities during the Great Depression. Steinbeck's work has been banned and challenged for racism, its treatment of women, and vulgarity.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee- Loosely based on the author's family and community, this coming-of-age story follows Scout and Jem Finch as their father defends a Black man falsely accused of rape. As the town turns against the Finch family, Scout learns an important lesson about the moral nature of human beings. This classic of modern American literature has been banned for violence, racism, profanity, the portrayal of a white savior, and more since its publication in 1960.
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood- Atwood's dystopian novel is set in the near future in a strongly patriarchal, totalitarian state. It has been banned for profanity, violence, and sexual overtones.
It's Perfectly Normal by Robie H. Harris- This frequently challenged book teaches children 10 and older about sexual health, emotional health and relationships, and contains sections on puberty, pregnancy and sexual orientation. Since its first publication in 1994, the book has been a frequent target of censorship due to nudity and other information parents deem unsuitable for children and has even been called pornographic.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas- Thomas's debut YA novel is narrated by 16-year-old Starr Carter who is thrust into the public eye after she witnesses a police shooting. This instant bestseller has been challenged and removed in libraries and schools across the country due to profanity, violence, drug use, and because it is thought to promote anti-police sentiments.
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien- This collection of short stories is based on the author's time spent fighting in the Vietnam War. It has been banned for vulgarity, sexual content, and violence.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky- Chbosky's coming-of-age novel is about a shy, introverted teen named Charlie as he navigates high school. It has been targeted for removal due to depictions of drug and alcohol use, nudity, LGBTQIA+ content, and offensive language.
All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson- This memoir consists of a series of essays following Johnson's journey growing up as a queer Black man in Plainfield, New Jersey, and Virginia. It has been banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, profanity, and because it was considered to be sexually explicit.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker- Walker's most well-known book follows Celie through adolescence and early adulthood and is told through a series of letters addressed to God and her estranged sister Nettie. The book has been banned and challenged for its explicit language, violence, and LGBTQIA+ themes.
Nasreen's Secret School by Jeanette Winter- Set in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, Winter's book tells the story of a young girl who attends a secret school yo learn how to read and write. It has been banned for its religious viewpoint, violence, and other themes that have been considered unsuitable for the targeted age group.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini- This coming-of-age story stars Amir, a young boy growing up in Afghanistan during tumultuous times. Though critically acclaimed, Hosseini's work has been frequently challenged and banned due to violence, offensive language, and unsuitability for certain age groups.
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