10 Books You Wouldn't Believe Were Banned - Bookmans Entertainment Exchange (2024)

There are definitely times where banning a certain book leaves you with only one question: why? For example, you can look at a book that came out in the early 1900s and see that maybe society wasn’t quite ready for a sexually explicit novel such as Tropic of Cancer. But when some books are banned, it frankly makes most of us want to laugh. Here is a list of 10 banned books that were banned for the weirdest and most ridiculous reasons.

10 Books You Wouldn't Believe Were Banned - Bookmans Entertainment Exchange (1)

1. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: Lewis Carroll

This book was banned in China’s Hunan Province because it depicted anthropomorphized animals as being as intelligent as humans… Why?

10 Books You Wouldn't Believe Were Banned - Bookmans Entertainment Exchange (2)

2. The Bible

The Bible is still banned in North Korea. Many countries have also banned it in several languages. For example, in Spain, Spanish publications of the Bible were banned until as late as the nineteenth century. Spain banned Spanish publications? Hmm…

3. Green Eggs & Ham: Dr. Seuss

This book was banned in China for depicting early Marxism. This ban was finally lifted in 1991.10 Books You Wouldn't Believe Were Banned - Bookmans Entertainment Exchange (3)

4. Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See? Bill Martin Jr.

This book was banned due to the author’s name. Brown Bear, Brown Bear was banned when The Texas State Board of Education accidentally mixed up itsauthor Bill Martin Jr. with Bill Martin author ofEthical Marxism: The Categorical Imperative of Liberation. Oopsies!

10 Books You Wouldn't Believe Were Banned - Bookmans Entertainment Exchange (4)5. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Roald Dahl

This book was originally banned due to the fact that the depiction of the oompa loompas was seen as racist. Roald Dahl was taken aback by this and changed the description of the oompa loompas in a revised version. But, that wasn’t enough for one Colorado librarian who believed the book “espoused a poor philosophy of life” and said Charlie “had no tremendously positive traits, only an absence of negative ones.” What does that even mean?

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6. Charlotte’s Web: E.B. White

In Kansas, Charlotte’s Webwas deemed as inappropriate subject matter for children. This book was also removed due to Wilbur, being a pig wasseen as potentially offensive to Muslim students.

10 Books You Wouldn't Believe Were Banned - Bookmans Entertainment Exchange (6)7. The Giving Tree: Shel Silverstein

When you read why this book was banned please try not to laugh, okay? The Giving Tree was banned because the tree is overly compliant and the boy is demanding and selfish, so it was deemed as sexist.

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8. Harriet the Spy: Louise Fitzhugh

Harriet the Spy was challenged in Ohio for teaching children “to lie, spy, back-talk, and curse.” *Insert eye-roll here*

9. Harry Potter: J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter was banned all over for promoting godless witchcraft. Yes, let me go get my magic broomstick and fly around with it.

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10. The Lorax: Dr. Seuss

The Lorax was banned for being too harsh on the logging industry, but that was Seuss’ intension after all.

10 Books You Wouldn't Believe Were Banned - Bookmans Entertainment Exchange (9)

So there you have it! 10 utterly outrageous instances of banned lit. Want to learn more about how and when books get banned? Visit The American Library Association website for a complete list of banned and challenged books! Or stop by your local Bookmans and check out our #ArrestedReading Displays! We guarantee you will be shocked by the amount of beloved bedtime stories that have been labeled contraband.

10 Books You Wouldn't Believe Were Banned - Bookmans Entertainment Exchange (2024)

FAQs

10 Books You Wouldn't Believe Were Banned - Bookmans Entertainment Exchange? ›

Charlotte's Web, that children's story of friendship, respect and devotion, published in 1952 and a favorite of waves of generations of children since then, was banned in 2006 in a school district – on religious grounds. Some parents felt that only humans should have the ability to speak.

What are the top 10 most banned books? ›

Most Banned Books of All Time
TitleAuthorPublish year
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (series)Alvin Schwartz1981
Alice (series)Phyllis Reynolds Naylor1985
Of Mice and MenJohn Steinbeck1937
It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual HealthRobie Harris1994
21 more rows
Apr 24, 2023

Why is Charlotte's Web banned? ›

Charlotte's Web, that children's story of friendship, respect and devotion, published in 1952 and a favorite of waves of generations of children since then, was banned in 2006 in a school district – on religious grounds. Some parents felt that only humans should have the ability to speak.

What is the most banned book? ›

This is the list of the most banned books in the first part of the 2022-2023 school year, according to the PEN America Index of School Book Bans. Gender Queer: A Memoir remained at the top of the list, as it was in the 2021-2022 school year, joined this time by Flamer.

Is The Wizard of Oz banned? ›

Why is the Wizard of Oz Banned? The Wonderful Wizard of Oz book caused controversy in 1957, in Detroit, Michigan and was banned from libraries on the basis that it had "no value" for children and supported "negativism".

Are any books illegal in the US? ›

Fortunately, the First Amendment protects Americans from an outright banning of books by the U.S. government, but each year many books are “challenged” and taken to court to prevent schools or libraries from carrying the titles.

Are any books still banned in the US? ›

During the first half of the 2022-23 school year PEN America's Index of School Book Bans lists 1,477 instances of individual books banned, affecting 874 unique titles, an increase of 28 percent compared to the prior six months, January – June 2022.

Why was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory banned? ›

BANNED BOOK WEEK! Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. Why: A Colorado library banned the book because it embraced a “poor philosophy of life.” Additionally, since its publication in 1964, the book was under fire for comparing the Oompa Loompas to Africans.

Why is Junie B Jones banned? ›

Barbara Park's Junie B. Jones series was listed in the American Library Association's Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books 2000-2009 because of parental worries that the 5 year-old character may serve as an inappropriate role model.

Why was the Lorax banned? ›

One of California's largest industries at the time was logging. Parents were concerned that teachers were “brainwashing” their children and were fearful the children would start an uprising against the logging industry. Because of this, “The Lorax” was banned in a Laytonville, California public school.

Why is milk and honey banned? ›

“over the past year or so, 'milk and honey' has been getting banned in school districts across america at alarming rates," she wrote on Instagram. "now @penamerica has found it's in the list of 11 most banned books in the 2022-2023 school year because it explores issues of sexual assault and violence."

Why is Catcher in the Rye banned? ›

Some books may be banned for the whole novel in general, and some books are banned for just one word or even their book cover (“If You Think We're Free”). The Catcher in the Rye has been challenged several times for its “excessive vulgar language, sexual scenes, and things concerning moral issues” (Sova).

Why was the Bible banned? ›

The banning of the Bible comes amid a larger effort by US conservatives in states to ban teachings on controversial topics such as LGBT rights and racial identity. Bans on certain books deemed offensive are also in place in Texas, Florida, Missouri and South Carolina.

Why is wrinkle in time banned? ›

The reasons A Wrinkle in Time has been banned are generally focused primarily on its religious elements. Many objected to a scene where Jesus, Ghandi, Einstein, and Buddha are described as leaders who have been fighting the Black Thing. Many Christians felt the scene equated Jesus to the others.

Why was Roll of Thunder banned? ›

The Burbank Unified School District banned the book from the curriculum due to complaints from four parents who allege the material in the book could lead to potential harm to the district's African-American students.

Is there a banned book list? ›

Banned & Challenged Classics
  • The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
  • The Catcher in the Rye, by JD Salinger.
  • The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck.
  • To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee.
  • The Color Purple, by Alice Walker.
  • Ulysses, by James Joyce.
  • Beloved, by Toni Morrison.
  • The Lord of the Flies, by William Golding.

What are top 10 most banned books in America? ›

What Are the Top 10 Banned Books in America of All Time?
  • 1984 by George Orwell.
  • The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.
  • The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. ...
  • The Color Purple by Alice Walker.
  • The Great Gatsby by F. ...
  • I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou.
  • Lord of the Flies by William Golding.

What books are being banned 2023? ›

The 10 Most Banned and Challenged Books in 2023
  • Gender Queer. By Maia Kobabe. ...
  • Flamer. By Mike Curato. ...
  • Tricks. By Ellen Hopkins. ...
  • The Handmaid's Tale (Graphic Novel) By Margaret Atwood. ...
  • Sold. By Patricia McCormick. ...
  • Push. By Sapphire. ...
  • The Bluest Eye. By Toni Morrison. ...
  • This Book is Gay. By Juno Dawson.
Jun 14, 2023

Why was Fahrenheit 451 banned? ›

Why Was Fahrenheit 451 Banned? Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 was banned several times in an effort to censor the graphic content of the story. Even though the story is about censorship, the novel has also been subject to censorship and banning.

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