Banned Books Week

Last Updated on Tuesday, 24 July 2012 12:08

Pioneer Library System - Monthly Picks

This week, September 30 to October 6, is Banned Books Week. This week highlights the importance of the First Amendment, intellectual freedom and the freedom to read. Here are a few banned titles to get you started.

For more information about banned or challenged books or for a list of books that are banned or challenged click here.

The Story of Little Red Riding Hood by Jacob Grimm
Includes both the Brothers Grimm story with its happy rescue of Grandmother and Little Red Cap, and the earlier, darker version of the tale as retold by Charles Perrault. The story of Little Red Riding Hood was originally banned because Little Red Riding Hood takes her grandmother a bottle of wine. Some feared this would encourage drinking.

Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
Harriet M. Welsch is a spy. In her notebook, she writes down everything she knows about everyone, even her classmates and her best friends. Then Harriet loses track of her notebook, and it ends up in the wrong hands. Before she can stop them, her friends have read the always truthful, sometimes awful things she’s written about each of them. This story was banned, according to NPR, because the main character, Harriet, was a bit unconventional.

Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young boy with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts School for Wizards and Witches. These books were banned because they were thought to promote witchcraft, set bad examples, and are too dark for children.

A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
The first children's book ever on the "New York Times bestseller list" it is accompanied by his iconic black-and-white line art, these poems reflect Silverstein's signature humor and timeless style. This book was banned for a short time because some people felt that the subject matter of some poems were inappropriate for children.

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
A young boy escapes from two wicked aunts and embarks on a series of adventures with six giant insects he meets inside a giant peach. This story was banned for a number of reasons.