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Banned Books Week

Banned Children's & Young Adult Books

Here is a listing of children & young adult books in Alvernia's Library that have been noted as challenged or banned, according to the American Library Association.

Information on challenges for each book come from Banned Books by Robert P. Doyle.

Barefoot Gen by Keiji Nakazawa

This book was banned in the elementary and junior highs schools of Matsue City for gruesome imagery. There is a call to remove it from the schools of Izumisano City due to claims that the book discriminates against the mentally ill and poor. Some say it is being challenged out of shame because of the brutal aspects of Japan’s history depicted in the book, but this has never been an official reason.

Barefoot Gen by Keiji Nakazawa

The BFG by Roald Dahl

Challenged within an Iowa public school curriculum in 1987 because it was "too sophisticated and did not teach moral values".

The BFG by Roald Dahl

Blubber by Judy Blume

Banned for graphic language, sexual content, and undermining authority.

Blubber by Judy Blume

The Cay by Theodore Taylor

Removed & challenged in several schools due to offensive language and racism.

The Cay by Theodore Taylor

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Removed from collection at Boulder, CO Public Library in 1988 because the librarian believed the book "espouses a poor philosophy of life".

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

Banned & challenged from several school libraries due to its "obscene" content including sexual situations, profanity, and encouragement of disrespectful behavior.

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Removed from the Boulder, CO Public Library in 1988 because a librarian considered it to be sexist.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Go Ask Alice by Anonymous

Challenged for "objectionable language" and sexual content.

Go Ask Alice by Anonymous

Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson

Challenged & removed in several libraries due to profane language.

Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson

Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh

Challenged in Xenia, OH schools because it taught children poor ethical conduct such as spying, lying, and cursing.

Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Challenged & banned internationally for themes of witchcraft, violence, and many more.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

I Am Regina by Sally M. Keehn

Challenged for its stereotyping of Native Americans.

I Am Regina by Sally M. Keehn

In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak

Challenged & removed from several libraries & schools for nudity in its illustrations.

In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak

Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson

Considered offensive on moral and religious grounds.

Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

Challenged due to use of profanities, it promotes drugs & alcohol, and encourages children to disobey parents & authority figures.

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George

Challenged in schools & libraries due to "anti-family" themes and discussions on the topic of rape.

Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Due to its sexual content this book has been challenged & banned for being "pornographic" in nature.

Looking for Alaska by John Green

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

Challenged in Laytonville, CA Unified School District in 1989 because the book "criminalizes the foresting industry."

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

Matilda by Roald Dahl

Challenged in many schools & libraries due to its message which encourages children to disobey their parents and other authority figures.

Matilda by Roald Dahl

Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegelman

Maus and Maus II have been challenged for being unsuitable to young readers and ‘anti-ethnic’.

Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegelman

My Friend Flicka by Mary O'Hara

Banned from a school in Clay County, Florida for profanities.

The Pigman by Paul Zindel

Challenged due to its encouragement of inappropriate behavior and "setting a bad example" for students.

The Pigman by Paul Zindel

The Red Pony by John Steinbeck

Challenged due to violence, profanity, and sexual content in several schools & libraries.

The Red Pony by John Steinbeck

The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare

Challenged due to use of racial slurs.

The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Challenged & banned for its discussion on the topic of rape.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Superfudge by Judy Blume

Challenged as "profane, immoral, and offensive" in several school libraries.

Superfudge by Judy Blume

Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume

Challenged & banned due to sexual content.

Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

Challenged because it promoted witchcraft & violence.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare