“Not every book is right for every person, but providing a wide range of reading choices is vital for learning, exploration and imagination. The abilities to read, speak, think and express ourselves freely are core American values.” – Former ALA President Carol Brey-Casiano
The American Library Association Banned Books Week is traditionally held during the last week of September. Stop by and check out our display of some of the finest works of children’s literature from the 19th century to today that have been challenged or banned from libraries:
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain – banned for the use of racial slurs in character depiction
Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey – challenged for the diaper and poo superhero theme
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh – banned for being anti-authoritarian
Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling – banned for themes of witchcraft
In The Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak – banned for nudity and offensive language
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl – banned for being anti-authoritarian
A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein – banned for encouraging messiness and disobedience
The Little House on the Prairie Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder – challenged for its negative treatment of Native Americans
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis – banned for its depiction of violence, mysticism and gore
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss – banned for “being an allegorical political commentary”
Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne – banned for being a tale of juvenile delinquency and truancy
The Wizard of Oz by Frank L. Baum – banned for being associated with communist ideas
“Censorship ends in logical completeness when nobody is allowed to read any books except the books that nobody reads.” – George Bernard Shaw
“Books and ideas are the most effective weapons against intolerance and ignorance.” -Lyndon Baines Johnson