No Books For You!

Booking bannings are nothing new — in fact, there’s a high degree of certainty that your child’s school or school board has banned several books. These books, many of them undeniable classics, have been deemed inappropriate for children for one reason or another. Whether it’s controversial subject matter, outdated themes and attitudes, or simply content viewed as too sensitive for children, these are 20 books that are likely banned in your child’s school.

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1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Despite the book’s powerful message and deep exploration of racial injustice in the South, Harper Lee’s classic is readily omitted from school curriculums. The book’s themes of racism and the use of slurs have garnered a great deal of controversy over the years. 

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2. 1984 by George Orwell

George Orwell’s dystopian masterpiece depicts a world in which rampant totalitarianism has eroded all sense of personal freedom by way of censorship and surveillance. Ironically, the book itself has been banned extensively due to its perceived “pro-communist” (or “anti-communist” if you ask the Soviets) leanings and sexual content. 

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3. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

You know a book is controversial when it leads to real-world violence. J.D. Salinger’s timeless tale of angst and rebellion has often been deemed far too inappropriate for school curriculum, primarily due to its vulgar language, sexual content, violence, and anti-establishment sensibilities. 

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4. The Color Purple by Alice Walker

Many school boards have taken issue with this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and its harrowing tale of race, gender, and sexual violence. Many parents and educators have concluded that Alice Walker’s depiction of abuse is simply too graphic for younger audiences. 

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5. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Aldous Huxley’s classic portrayal of a dystopian future has often been the target of scorn and controversy within the public school system. Despite the book’s impactful portrayal of totalitarianism run amok, many school boards and libraries were dismayed by the novel’s depiction of sex, drug use, and morally questionable behaviour. 

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6. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is an undeniable cornerstone in the pantheon of American literature. Nonetheless, the book’s portrayal of slavery and race relations in pre-civil War America has come under fire in recent years, with many particularly taking aim at the book’s prevalent use of racial slurs. 

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7. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

This pivotal John Steinbeck novel is required reading in many schools, but that wasn’t always the case. Despite this, the acclaimed novella’s depiction of violence, racism and mental disability have all been the subject of rigorous debate, with over 54 attempts to ban the book since it was first published in 1936. 

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8. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood’s tale of a dystopian future in which gendered oppression and authoritarianism run wild has been the target of several proposed and successful bannings. Its critics have argued that the book’s abundant sexual content and graphic violence are not suitable for younger audiences. 

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9. Beloved by Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison’s harrowing portrayal of the horrors of slavery and its painful aftermath has often been the subject of bannings for its graphic content. Critics have argued that the book is far too intense for young readers due to its traumatic and emotionally disturbing content, including sexual abuse and violence. 

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10. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

This coming-of-age novel set in 1990s suburban Pittsburgh deals with a variety of complex issues like mental health, sexuality and abuse. Naturally, many school boards and parents objected to the book’s mature themes, foul language, sexuality and drug use. 

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11. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

In what can only be described as the pinnacle of irony, this classic Ray Bradbury novel which depicts a world in which rampant censorship has led to the banning of books was itself banned. The novel’s critique of government oversight and repression was deemed too dark and controversial for young readers. 

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12. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Greatly inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and the events that preceded it, Angie Thomas’ “The Hate U Give” has been the subject of controversy in many school boards. Critics have pointed to the novel’s graphic depiction of police brutality as being too politically charged and divisive for a classroom setting.  

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13. Lord of the Flies by William Golding

William Golding’s cautionary tale about the savagery and barbarism inherent in all human beings has often been the target of controversy and censorship. The book's depiction of societal collapse and the violence that it entails has been deemed too disturbing, with many arguing against its negative portrayal of human nature. 

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14. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison’s first novel was a painful story centred around themes of race, sexual abuse, and beauty standards. The American Library Association has regualirly ranked it among the most banned books in the United States, with many pointing to its explicit content and mature themes as justification. 

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15. Animal Farm by George Orwell

Another classic George Orwell critique of totalitarianism, this allegorical novella has often been the subject of banning around the world. The book’s depiction of farm animal upheaval has been targetted for its challenging political themes and extensive critique of authority that many viewed as too subversive and rebellious for young audiences. 

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16. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

Kurt Vonnegut’s influential anti-war opus was famous for its eclectic blend of science-fiction themes and historical events, but that didn’t stop many from trying to ban it. Critics pointed to its graphic and explicit content, as well as its challenging narrative style, as reasons why the book shouldn’t be taught in schools. 

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17. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

This harrowing tale of a teenage girl’s struggle with the consequences of sexual abuse has been the subject of much controversy and banning in schools. Proponents of its ban and removal from curricula have cited the book’s graphic and emotionally intense content as being too mature for high school audiences. 

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18. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Jay Asher’s controversial novel centres around themes of mental health and suicide. Many schools have removed “Thirteen Reasons” for its sensitive content, which they believe may serve as a trigger for students dealing with the intense themes of the book. 

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19. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

This harrowing tale of friendship, betrayal, and Afghanistan’s political schism has often been the target of bans, so much so that it was ranked the most challenged book in 2008 by the ALA. The book’s depictions of sexual violence and cultural tensions were deemed unsuitable for certain age groups. 

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20. Looking for Alaska by John Green

As the 4th most challenged book between 2010 and 2019, John Green’s “Looking for Alaska” has been the target of intense censorship. Critics of the controversial young adult novel have cited its profanity, sexual content, and mature themes as unsuitable for younger audiences. 

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