Banned in the USA: The Fight for the Freedom to Read

Across the nation, books are being banned from schools at an alarming rate, often due to content related to race, gender identity, sexuality, or historical truths that some deem controversial. These bans, largely driven by political and ideological movements, limit students’ access to diverse perspectives, critical thinking opportunities, and literature that reflects their own experiences. The impact is profound—erasing marginalized voices, restricting intellectual freedom, and fostering an environment of fear rather than education. As author Ray Bradbury once warned, “You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.”

1. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
Banned in several districts for its portrayal of racial themes and use of offensive language.

2. "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank
Challenged in some schools due to its explicit content and themes.

3. "1984" by George Orwell
Removed from certain curricula for its political themes and content.

4. "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
Banned in various schools for promoting witchcraft and magic.

5. "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky
Removed from libraries and classrooms in multiple districts due to explicit content.

6. "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison
Banned in several states for explicit content and themes.

7. "Gender Queer: A Memoir" by Maia Kobabe
Frequently challenged and removed for explicit LGBTQ+ content.

8. "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas
Banned in some districts for themes of police brutality and language.

9. "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J. Maas
Banned in over 20 school districts during the 2023-2024 school year. 

10. "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
Included among the most banned romance novels in U.S. schools for the 2023-2024 school year. 

11. "Red, White & Royal Blue" by Casey McQuiston
Banned in multiple districts for LGBTQ+ themes. 

12. "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
Removed from some school libraries due to themes of mortality and illness.

13. "Last Night at the Telegraph Club" by Malinda Lo
Banned in several districts for LGBTQ+ content. 

14. "Like a Love Story" by Abdi Nazemian
Removed from libraries in multiple schools due to LGBTQ+ themes. 

15. "Roots" by Alex Haley
Banned in certain schools for its depiction of slavery and racial violence. 

16. "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by James Baldwin
Removed from some curricula due to explicit content and themes. 

17. "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls
Banned in various districts for depictions of abuse and alcoholism.

18. "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood
Removed from some school libraries due to explicit content and themes.

19. "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie
Banned in multiple schools for explicit content and language.

20. "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson
Challenged and removed in some districts due to themes of sexual assault.

It's important to note that book bans vary by state and district, often influenced by local policies and community standards. For a comprehensive and up-to-date list of banned books by state, resources like PEN America's Index of School Book Bans provide detailed information. 

PEN America