Book banning has been a recurring phenomenon throughout history, with governments and individuals attempting to suppress the spread of ideas they deem dangerous or subversive. However, what one person finds offensive may be cherished by another. Because ideas of what may or may not be acceptable are constantly changing, so too are the titles that some seek to ban, resulting in an exercise in futility.
Banned books don’t disappear. In fact, book banning often has the opposite effect of what is intended, generating curiosity and interest in the titles. Over time, many titles become so widely accepted that modern readers are shocked to find them on the list of censored books.
For the 2023 Banned Books Week, Mid-Continent Public Library highlighted banned books of years past, with each branch home to one book you may be surprised to see on a list of censored books.
Mid-Continent Public Library stands firmly in support of the freedom to read. As always, we encourage individuals and families to determine what materials best fit their needs. The Library’s collection is home to books, movies, music, and resources filled with a nearly infinite spectrum of ideas for yesterday, today, and always.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain
Banned for...
offensive language and racist terminology
The Adventures of Captain Underpants
by Dav Pilkey
Banned for...
encouraging disruptive behavior
Blubber
by Judy Blume
Banned for...
not teaching good morals
Brave New World
by Aldous Huxley
Banned for...
themes of promiscuity, drug use, and suicide
The Call of the Wild
by Jack London
Banned for...
dark tone and bloody violence
Catch-22
by Joseph Heller
Banned for...
profane and inappropriate language
Charlotte's Web
by E.B. White
Banned for...
talking animals
Fahrenheit 451
by Ray Bradbury
Banned for...
vulgarity and discussions of drugs
Goosebumps: Welcome to Dead House
by R.L. Stine
Banned for...
being too frightening for kids
The Great Gatsby
by F. Scot Fitzgerald
Banned for...
violence, adultery, and language
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
by J.K. Rowling
Banned for...
violence, anti-family themes, and the occult
Hop on Pop
by Dr. Seuss
Banned for...
encouraging violence against fathers
James and the Giant Peach
by Roald Dahl
Banned for...
profanity and drinking
Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus
by Barbara Park
Banned for...
poor social values and bad grammar and spelling
The Lorax
by Dr. Seuss
Banned for...
negatively portraying the logging industry
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
by Alvin Schwartz
Banned for...
being unsuitable for the age group, violence, and occult
To Kill a Mockingbird
by Harper Lee
Banned for...
offensive language and mention of rape
Where the Sidewalk Ends
by Shel Silverstein
Banned for...
showing disrespect for any authority
Where's Waldo?
by Martin Handford
Banned for...
lewd illustrations
Where the Wild Things Are
by Maurice Sendak
Banned for...
the main character being sent to bed without dinner
A Wrinkle in Time
by Madeleine L'Engle
Banned for...
entanglements with religion