Unlike controversial content that often goes viral on social media today, books with certain language, sex, or even religious views can lead to censorship, landing the book on the banned book list.
Yes, you read that correctly — there is still a banned books list in 2016. The American Library Association keeps track of the numbers and indicates 11,300 books have been challenged due to content since 1982. That same year, a response was launched due to the increasing numbers of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. Now, 34 years later, Banned Books Week continues to celebrate the freedom to read.
In honor of this year’s Banned Books Week, Sept. 25 through Oct. 1, Half Price Books has compiled a list of banned books ranging from Dr. Seuss to J.K. Rowling. Here’s a sampling of books that you may be surprised to learn have been banned:
- In 2006, “Charlotte’s Web” was banned in Kansas. The book was deemed to have “inappropriate subject matter for a children’s book” during the spider’s death, while talking animals were considered “blasphemous and unnatural.”
- Some southern states banned “Where the Wild Things Are” because many parents thought it to be abuse if a child is “sent to bed without his supper,” as Max is in the book. Author Maurice Sendak originally published the book to produce conversation surrounding the unnatural portrayal of a perfect family in children’s books like “Dick and Jane.”
- In the mid 1900s, many large public libraries banned “The Wizard of Oz” for a variety of reasons, from the novel’s use of witchcraft to complaints regarding a strong female lead. While we cherish this book as a film, Broadway musical and cartoon, many from the Chicago, Detroit and Florida state libraries found its content offensive.
- Banned in California, “The Lorax” by Dr. Suess was described as “criminalizing the foresting industry,” thus persuading children against the logging business.
