In celebration of Banned Books Week, I encourage you to read or check out at least one title from this banned books list. I admit, that I do not readily understand the need for parents to censor their child’s reading. Even when my kids enjoy books I hate, I don’t tell them no. I have even more difficulty when adults take steps to restrict other children from reading books by challenging a book’s very presence on library shelves.
Indeed, banned books provide wonderful teaching moments. Does a book deal with difficult topics? Does it promote a world view that is not inline with the way you see things? Talk about it with your child. Open the door and encourage your children to keep an open mind and think critically about what they read. They (and you) will become more discerning readers and empathetic citizens as a result.
Below are 8 books which have faced challenges or been outright banned from libraries. Which ones have you read? Note: titles and covers are affiliate links.
I read the beautiful Bridge to Terabithia
The Giver
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
In the Night Kitchen
A Light in the Attic
And Tango Makes Three
The Agony of Alice
The Adventures of Captain Underpants. Sure, Captain Underpants relies on silly, gross humor to entertain kids and keep them reading, but so what? I’ve written before about why I let my kids read potty humor. My son loved these books about two boys with an overactive imagination. Some of the complaints about this series include accusing it of disrespecting school authority figures, but I don’t think parents want their kids to blindly follow whatever adults say. In addition, school is a source of anxiety for kids (whether it’s academic or social, mild or severe) and I think it’s good for kids to have a way of thinking about school in subversive, non-traditional ways. That said, I do leave these books for my boys to read independently; I’m not very interested in reading them out loud. Ages 5 and up.
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This list only touches the surface of books that parents and other adults have tried to keep out of the hands (and hearts) of children. Other popular books include the Harry Potter series, several Judy Blume books, and even A Wrinkle in Time. You can learn more at the American Library Association.
We can all agree that not all books are appropriate for every child at any given time. Certainly, some titles are best appreciated when kids are older. However, let’s encourage inquiry, thoughtfulness, and a curious approach to the world by leaving all books on the shelves.
Celebrate the freedom to read.
For more books we love, banned and otherwise, check out the index of all my book lists.
Amy Wishman Nalan says
Yes! Yes! Yes! We love And Tango Makes Three and A Light in the Attic. (I have a 6 year old and a 4 year old, so some of these titles we haven’t shared yet). Our public library had a display in the children’s section featuring banned books and I required (er, I mean strongly encouraged) my kids to choose some titles. They chose The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and King & King, both of which we have read before and love.
Erica MomandKiddo says
The Wizard of Oz is one of our favorites!!
Amy @ Sunlit Pages says
Some of these books are not my favorites (The Night Kitchen, Captain Underpants), BUT I think everyone should get to choose whether they like them or not!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Agree!!
Tracy Bayley says
Hi. I have been reading your blog for quite a while and am ashamed to admit this is my first reply. First, why was The Wonderful Wizard of Oz banned? Yes i agree that all books should remain on the shelf. Isnt that part of being a democratic society? Having freedom to choose? I do believe that adult concepts get in the way of childrens story books. Look at Enid Blyton’s Noddy books – banned for a time because the bad dolls were gollywogs (they were black), and because Noddy and Bigears shared a bed, it gave the impression (for adults) that they were gay. I must admit that i was sceptical about Harry Potter being a christian, so i read them first (my daughter REALLY wanted to read them). I was hooked! Read all of the books in a couple of weeks as i couldnt put them down.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, Tracy! I’m sure Oz was banned in some areas because of the magic element. That is a common theme from parents who worry magic in books promotes the occult. Harry Potter is challenged for the same reason, even though the entire series is a triumph for good over evil (so glad you decided to give it a go and enjoyed it, too!) . And yes, I totally agree that adult anxieties get in the way! 🙂
Ann says
We have read a few. I want to read The Giver. The Night Kitchen is one of my daughter’s favorites, not really sure why and I could never figure out why it was banned, lol! Of coursing banning books only makes kids want to read them more! Woohoo!
Erica MomandKiddo says
I’m all for making kids want to read more!
Rebecca says
It was banned because it showed a naked bottom. Crazy, I know.
Bronwyn Joy @ Journeys Of The Fabulist says
Thanks for this list! Sharing. (I’ve been trying to resist Underpants but I suppose we all have to go through the potty humour and out the other side?)
stanleyandkatrina says
Thanks for sharing this list on the #KidLitBlogHop. My daughter is not a fan of Captain Underpants but she read it before deciding that. While she’s extremely sensitive to content, not all kids are and I can’t imagine even considering for a second banning a book just because I think it isn’t appropriate for my child or my family. Differences are what makes this world a beautiful place. Have a wonderful rest of the week!
~Cool Mom for
The Stanley & Katrina Gang
Pragmatic Mom says
Isn’t it so crazy that some of these book are on the list like Captain Underpants and In the Night Kitchen? I seriously wonder who these people are who are banning books. I’d like to meet a few!
I always make a point of reading banned books during banned book week. Thanks for sharing your great list at the Kid Lit Blog Hop!
ccarpinello says
As a retired high school English teacher, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing these books. I don’t condone letting kids read controversial books on their own because kids need adult guidance when reading this material but not adult censorship. Good books here. Thanks for sharing on the Kid Lit Blog Hop.
shirley says
After reading this list of banned books, I am convinced that today’s children will or may never receive opportunities to learn about stories that spark conversations. Nor will they find opportunities to think for themselves.
They even banned Shel Silverstein. The horror…. I read just about half of these books in high school and in middle school.
Mom of three says
Thank you for this list! My kids are life long readers and I have been amazed through the years what has been deemed controversial. Parental involvement and knowing your own child is key. Make decisions for your family. However banning of books is a frightening path that serves no one. The Narnia books, Huckelberry Finn, The Golden Compas Trilogy, The Kite Runner, The Lord of the Flies, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Alice’s Asventures in Wonderland, Harriet the Spy, are some of the other well known books that have been banned at some point in time. Again, every family deserves to make their own decision for their own children at their maturity level and their own personal beliefs, but outright banning of books is a terrifying slope. Reading along with your child to discuss your family values, concerns they may have, is an effective and enjoyable way to help navigate sensitive subject matter. Long past the age where my ‘kids’ needed to be read stories we made it a family tradition because they enjoyed it, as did we. We also co-read books of intrest as our kids did and could discuss with them chapter by chapter at dinner.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks for your comment! I agree that good discussion about sensitive subjects is key.
Pennie says
While I do believe parents should filter their children’s reading materials at times, banning books is not the way. One of my all time favorite books is, LOVE YOU FOREVER. I was astonished to hear this book was on a watch list of questionable books because of the mother in this story ‘creeping into her son’s room at night to sing to him and rock him in her arms’, because he was a sleeping teenager! To people with unclean minds, everything is unclean. It’sgood to remember, at one time the Bible was a banned book and people were put to death just for possessing a copy! It contained many descriptions that were ‘offensive’, too. I hope every parent will share some of these beautiful books with their children. They’ll be richer for it!
Robbin Hair says
The only problem with In the Night Kitchen is the one page where the main character doesn’t have clothing on. All you have to do is to color a pair of shorts on him, and the drawing will be fine. It is an excellent book and should not be avoided just because of that one picture that is easy to fix.
Jennifer says
Actually it’s a few naked pictures as well as the text saying he fell out of his pj’s but why color on shorts? For the boys out there, they have penises so I don’t think it will seem odd or inappropriate. My son thought it was just funny Mickey’s pj’s fell off. For girls I guess I could see holding off if you don’t want to explain anatomy yet. Even my four year old gets that boys have penises and girls don’t though and the drawings in the book are not at all graphic so I’m not sure you’re actually protecting anyone from anything. Just my two cents.
Jennifer says
After reading this list, we got In the Night Kitchen from the library and my 4 year old son loves it. He kept asking for it so I got him his own copy. We have read it at least ten times and never once has he mentioned The Penis. About ten minutes after bedtime last night, though, he yelled “quiet down there!” I think he wants to be Mickey.
Jennifer says
He also thinks Captain Underpants is hilarious although I think it will be another year or two before he gets all of it.
Lisa says
Wow! These books are banned in some places? These are all available at our local library. (We live in New Zealand).
In the Night Kitchen has even been translated into Maori (the Native language).
So sad that these have been banned. I honestly can not see reasons why? Like legitimate could potentially cause harm to a child reasons.
Thank you for sharing this though, it makes me see how lucky we are!
Erica MomandKiddo says
In the Night Kitchen is such a great book. I’m glad to hear it is available all over the world.
Lydia says
Hi! Just an FYI: I know you’ve already noted that the Alice books follow her through high school – but since you haven’t read them all, I thought you might want to add a disclaimer/content warning.
There are several heavy themes that begin around the eleventh book, including a friend’s suicide and another’s various coping strategies for having experienced sexual abuse in childhood. As a middle schooler, I probably read beyond my level, so I think “10 & up” shouldn’t be widely applied to the entire series.
STILL, I thought they were great, I think they’re great now, and I definitely don’t think they should have been banned.
Elisa Murray says
Hi there, I’m curious about Captain Underpants. I’m fine with silly, gross, potty humor, and with disrespecting authority, but the most recent novel my 7-year-old son CP read was out and out offensive to women and very age inappropriate to boot (see two-page joke about free “bra inspections). I feel the same way about the Wimpy Kid books, which have references to “hot girls,” etc. My feeling is to steer him away when possible (and add context when he is reading those books); curious about others’ thoughts.