Banned Books: Introduction

Faculty Librarian for Reference, Outreach & DEISJ

BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), LGBTQIA2S+, immigrant,

undocumented, veterans, students with disabilities, transfer, and first-generation students

Liaison Areas

Business, English, Foreign Languages and English as a Second Language

Room: MRV 140     Tel:7317 

Email: k.sawyers@hvcc.edu 

1. All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely. Banned and challenged for profanity, drug use, and alcoholism and because it was thought to promote antipolice views, contain divisive topics, and be “too much of a sensitive matter right now.”
2. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Banned, challenged, and restricted because it was thought to contain a political viewpoint, it was claimed to be biased against male students, and it included rape and profanity.
3. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and allegations of sexual misconduct on the part of the author.
4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Banned and challenged for racial slurs and their negative effect on students, featuring a “white savior” character, and its perception of the Black experience.
5. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Banned and challenged for racial slurs and racist stereotypes and their negative effect on students.
6. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and depicts child sexual abuse.
7. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. Challenged for profanity, and because it was thought to promote an antipolice message.

• LGBTQ+ Content: Books that include LGBTQ+ characters, themes, or sexual content often face challenges, especially in more conservative communities.
• Racial Themes: Books dealing with racism, the Civil Rights movement, or depicting uncomfortable historical truths (e.g., slavery, segregation) are frequently challenged.
• Sexual Content: Explicit language, sexual scenes, or frank discussions about sex often result in challenges, even in works that are otherwise highly regarded.

A book ban occurs when a book is removed or restricted in schools, libraries, or public spaces due to objections about its content.  While the intent may be to protect young readers, bans frequently limit access to stories that represent diverse voices and experiences.

Banned Book Week

Banned Book Week is an annual event that celebrates the freedom to read and raises awareness about the issue of book censorship. It typically takes place in late September and highlights books that have been challenged or banned. The week is meant to promote intellectual freedom, support the right of individuals to access diverse ideas, and encourage readers to explore works that have faced censorship.