Every year more and more books are getting banned. This does not mean these books shouldn’t be read—it’s quite the opposite actually. The banning of books is a form of censorship within the United States. It’s important to understand why certain books were banned, and to read these books and form your own opinion of them before writing them off as “inappropriate” or “offensive.”
You’ve probably already read a handful of banned books. Harper Lee’s classic To Kill A Mockingbird, John Green’s young adult hit Looking For Alaska, and the adorable picture book about penguins And Tango Makes Three have all been banned or challenged, among so many others. Find out how books get banned, read powerful quotes on banning books, and get more reading recommendations in the stories below.
“Censorship is the child of fear and the father of ignorance.” ―Laurie Halse Anderson
By Orrin Grey
We’re proud to support challenged books and the right to free expression.
Boundary-pushing books, from classic to contemporary.
“Any book worth banning is a book worth reading.” ―Isaac Asimov
Mark your calendars for September 18th-24th!
Literary censorship has long been a source of contention.
Celebrate your freedom to read.
A striking tragedy that maintains relevance in our present day.
"Banning books is one thing, killing them is something else."
From banned books to nonfiction reads.
Indulge in these notorious novels—because free speech is a beautiful thing.