Classics

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck has long been considered a classic of American literature, yet it has also been one of the most frequently challenged and banned books in schools and libraries. The novel has faced censorship for its use of profanity, depiction of violence, portrayal … Read more

Synopsis & Themes The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum , first published in 1900, is a beloved American children’s novel by L. Frank Baum. It follows the story of Dorothy, a young girl from Kansas, who is swept away by a tornado to the magical land of Oz. In her quest to return … Read more

Synopsis & Themes The Diary of Anne Frank is the true story of a young Jewish girl, Anne Frank, who went into hiding with her family during World War II to escape the Nazi persecution of Jews. The diary begins in 1942 when Anne is 13 and follows her life in a hidden annex behind … Read more

Synopsis and Themes The Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a classic novel first published in 1954. It tells the story of a group of British schoolboys who survive a plane crash and find themselves stranded on a deserted island without any adults. At first, the boys try to create a system of … Read more

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley has been banned and challenged multiple times since its publication in 1932. The book has faced censorship in countries like Ireland, India, and parts of the United States. Critics of the novel have objected to its portrayal of sexuality, drug use, and what was seen as anti-religious content. In … Read more

Ulysses by James Joyce is one of the most banned and controversial books in literary history. It was first published in 1922, but long before that, excerpts of the novel had already caused outrage. In 1918, chapters from Ulysses began appearing in the American magazine The Little Review. These installments sparked legal trouble due to … Read more

The Color Purple by Alice Walker The Color Purple by Alice Walker has been one of the most frequently challenged and banned books since its publication in 1982. Many schools and libraries in the United States have removed it from their shelves, mainly because of its explicit content, including depictions of sexual abuse, violence, and … Read more

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck When The Grapes of Wrath was published in 1939, it didn’t just make waves—it caused a storm. Many schools, libraries, and even entire counties banned the book. The reasons? Harsh language, scenes with sexual undertones, and what critics saw as a harsh, almost un-American attack on capitalism and … Read more

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is one of the most famous dystopian novels ever written, yet it has frequently faced bans and challenges since its publication in 1953. Ironically, a book that fiercely critiques censorship and the suppression of knowledge has itself been censored. The novel has been banned and restricted in schools and libraries … Read more