📚 Banned Book Spotlight: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
About the Author
Madeleine L’Engle was an American author known for blending science, fantasy, and spirituality in her stories. A Wrinkle in Time (1962) was her breakout work. It won the Newbery Medal in 1963 and has stayed in print ever since.
Story in Brief
The novel follows Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin as they travel through strange dimensions, guided by mysterious supernatural beings. Their mission: rescue Meg and Charles Wallace’s father, who has been lost while doing secret scientific work. Along the way, they battle a dark force known as “The Black Thing,” confronting fears, self-doubt, and the tension between conformity and individuality.
History of Challenges
In past decades, the book has frequently appeared on challenged- or banned-book lists. One reason: its mix of religion, science, and mystical elements, which some find confusing or offensive.
For example, parents in Polk City, Florida, objected because they felt it promoted “occult practices.” In Anniston, Alabama, there was concern over the broad mix of spiritual references (Jesus alongside scientists or philosophers) when describing the fight against evil.
The American Library Association has listed A Wrinkle in Time among its most frequently challenged books in multiple decades.
Why It Still Matters
Even if it’s not confirmed banned in 2025, its history of challenge shows something important: people fear books that mix ideas, question norms, or invite unorthodox thought. A Wrinkle in Time isn’t just a sci-fi fantasy; it’s a story about courage, love, standing out instead of fitting in, and seeing the universe as full of possibilities. When we censor such stories, we lose more than just a book — we lose the chance for wonder, for questioning, and for imagination.
