March Madness: Battle of the Banned BooksLike this list

16 items

• The Color Purple

  Walker, Alice, 1944-

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  The Color Purple has faced numerous challenges since its publication. The reasons for its banning have varied, including religious objections, depictions of homosexuality, violence, elements of African history, and sensitive topics such as rape,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Handmaid's Tale

  Atwood, Margaret, 1939-

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  The Handmaid’s Tale has been banned or challenged in many schools and libraries due to its themes of human sexuality, as well as its exploration of feminism and extremism. The novel also contains profanity and sexual content, which has led some…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

  Twain, Mark, 1835-1910

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  Mark Twain's classic novel has been consistently banned or challenged since it's original publication for its extensive use of racial slurs and degrading racial stereotypes.

• Animal Farm

  a Fairy Story

  Orwell, George, 1903-1950

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  Many people argue that Animal Farm should be banned because of its tone and the underlying message, which they believe could encourage revolutionary thinking. In particular, the book has been banned in Russia, as it was inspired by and critiques the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Fahrenheit 451

  Bradbury, Ray, 1920-2012

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  Farhrenheit 451 includes elements such as vulgarity, profanity, religious irreverence, and dark themes like suicide and murder. It has been challenged in some schools for being considered inappropriate, particularly due to scenes involving the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Lolita

  Nabokov, Vladimir Vladimirovich, 1899-1977

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  Banned in several countries such as France and the UK upon it's release in 1955 largely because of its controversial subject matter involving pedophilia, which led to accusations of obscenity.

• Lord of the Flies

  Golding, William, 1911-1993

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  Lord of the Flies is often challenged or banned because of its graphic violence, bleak portrayal of human nature, and use of controversial language.

• The Satanic Verses

  a Novel

  Rushdie, Salman

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  The Satanic Verses was considered blasphemous due to its satirical and fictionalized portrayals related to the Prophet Muhammad. The backlash led to widespread protests, book burnings, and bans in several countries. In 1989, Iran’s leader Ruhollah…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Diary of a Young Girl

  the Definitive Edition

  Frank, Anne, 1929-1945

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  The Diary of Anne Frank is occasionally banned or challenged in schools, primarily in the US, due to complaints regarding sexual content and "graphic" descriptions about body parts and curiosity about sexuality.

• The Golden Compass

  Pullman, Philip, 1946-

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  The Golden Compass was largely banned or challenged in schools and libraries due to its strong anti-religious themes, specifically perceived attacks on Roman Catholicism and organized religion.

• Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

  Blume, Judy

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  Judy Blume's classic novel was frequently banned or challenged due to its frank depictions of puberty along with its exploration of religious skepticism.

• To Kill a Mockingbird

  Lee, Harper

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  To Kill a Mockingbird is frequently banned or challenged, due to its use of racial slurs, themes of rape, and strong language.

• The Catcher in the Rye

  Salinger, J. D. (Jerome David), 1919-2010

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  J.D. Salinger’s novel has been consistently banned or challenged since it was first published due to its vulgar language, sexual references, and themes deemed immoral or rebellious.

• The Kite Runner

  Hosseini, Khaled

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  The Kite Runner is frequently banned or challenged due to its graphic depictions of sexual violence, and concerns about religious and political viewpoints

• 1984

  Orwell, George

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  Ironically, the book has been banned for contradictory reasons. In 1981, it was challenged in a Florida school district by parents who accused it of being "pro-communist" and it’s been banned in certain countries for being anti-communist.

• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

  Angelou, Maya

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  Maya Angelou’s classic novel has been banned or challenged for it’s graphic depiction of sexual abuse and explicit language. At times it has been accused of being “anti-white”.