Banned Book Week: Home

Banned due to being sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content, Rape, Drugs, and Profanity.

This coming of age story was banned in Alaska High Schools for themes of violence, bullying, racial identity, profanity, and sexually explicit situations.

Due to worries about violence, anti-family themes, and disobedience to authority, The Hunger Games has been challenged in schools.

Has regularly been contested because it contains topics such as racism, drug use, police brutality, and profanity that some parents and officials believe are too mature or inappropriate for young viewers.

Prohibited and contested due to its use of foul language, drug and alcohol abuse, and what was seen as the promotion of anti-police sentiments and contentious issues, including systemic racism and police brutality.

Those facing censorship challenges can find support and inspiration in this book, which compiles dozens of stories from library front lines.

Parts of The Diary of a Young Girl that describe Anne's sexual growth and ideas have been challenged and banned because they are deemed "sexually offensive," "pornographic," or unsuitable for young readers. Because it contains these passages that describe her developing desires and disparaging depictions of other people, the "definitive" or unedited version of the diary has frequently been the object of these challenges.

Some historians have criticized it for being too factual or ideological, especially for its main assertion that slavery was a major driving force behind the American Revolution. According to critics, the project also fostered a contentious narrative, diminished American exceptionalism, and minimized the positive aspects of American history.

The Harry Potter books were pulled off the school library shelves by the Cedarville School Board in Arkansas in 2002. The Board felt that the stories were unsuitable for students because they encouraged witchcraft and sorcery. Only those with formal parental consent were permitted access to the books. Many believed that this violated the First Amendment rights of the students, which led to a judicial challenge.

In the work On Censorship, James LaRue examines actual instances of book challenges and censorship efforts in the US. Many of these focus on narratives that include characters of color or LGBTQ+ characters. According to LaRue, these initiatives restrict intellectual freedom even though they are frequently presented as parental concerns. He argues that by limiting access to a range of voices and viewpoints, censorship endangers democracy.

This book addresses current First Amendment debates and controversies, including the removal of books from libraries and schools, the moderation of social media content, and the dissemination of false information—all of which spark a great deal of political and public interest and controversy. The book is a focal point for continuing discussions about free speech and the boundaries of expression in modern society since it is a thorough guide that examines a variety of censorship and free expression cases.