Banned Book Week: Home

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

This classic was briefly banned in Ohio in 1972 for being "indecent" and for its offense language, especially toward women. The ban was lifted in 1976.

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

Despite receiving literary awards, this book has been challenged for its themes of LGBTQIA+ sexuality, suicide, emotional abuse, and dysfunctional family life.

This classic was immediately banned after it was published for offensive language and bad grammar, racial stereotyping, and sexist portrayals of some characters. 

This depression era classic has been challenged and banned for its themes of sensuality, depression and suicide, vulgar language, and for rejecting the societal “norms” of women.

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

This book was banned for its themes of individualism and fighting back against injustice. Deemed “too radical”, it was burned by the Nazi party for its pro-socialist viewpoints.

Published in 1940, this book has been challenged and banned due to its graphic violence, sex, racism, profanity, abuse, and murder.

Candide was published in secret, and immediately banned due to its religious blasphemy and political sedition. US customs also seized this book in 1930 for its obscenity.

In the 1920’s this privately published book received criticism about its overly sexual & inappropriate content, as well as its “pornographic” language.

Banned the same year it was published (1856) by the French government for its overt sexuality. Gustave Flaubert was later put on trial over this book's themes.

East Germany banned this book in 1956 for its incompatibility with Communism. The Jungle was also scrutinized by the US in 1953 for its Communist sympathies.