When I was younger, I remember hearing about books being banned. I didn't realize its importance, I wondered why people cared so much because it's just a book. Now that I am older, I realize citizens and governments ban books because they are afraid to have their ideas and beliefs challenged, they love sheltering their children, and because books give people ideas, they have to control what the people say or think one way or another. Some of these were required reading when I was in school and quite a few of these are some of my favorite books the parents who tried to ban them don't know what they're missing.
The Great Gatsby
Probably the first great American novel that comes to the mind of almost anybody, this book chronicles the booze-infused and decadent lives of East Hampton socialites. It was challenged by the Baptist College in South Carolina because of language and references to sex.
The Catcher in the Rye
Banned for vulgar language, moral issues, violence, scene that included a prostitute, and excessive violence. In 1960, a teacher was fired when the teacher assigned the book to her 11th grade English class he later won his appeal.
Harry Potter 1-7
I believe it was number most banned book from 2000-2009 because of the Christian community. It was banned for the glorification of witchcraft and magic also because Dumbledore is gay. By the way these copies have very clever designs. In 2001, a group of parents staged a book burning of the Harry Potter books. Firefighters intervened before a match was struck and the parents settled for using scissors to mutilate the copies.
To Kill a Mockingbird
Banned when parents complained it embraces white supremacy. Also for its references to rape, sex, incest, profanity, and racial issues.
Brave New World
Banned at a high school in Delaware when parents complained that students could easily understand the sexual and drug references with a simple google search. In Corona, California a group of parents tried to ban it because it centered around negativity.
Of Mice and Men
Retained in the Brainerd, Minn., School District curriculum in 2014 despite the complaints of two parents who objected to the use of “Jesus Christ” as a curse word, the use of the n-word to describe African Americans, and the term “Japs.”
Lord of the Flies
Another required reading for me. I read it sophomore year of high school. Has been banned because of violence, alleged racism, and inappropriate language. Description of the boys hunting the pig is graphic. I think my teacher said the boys raped the pig. A few boys also kill several other boys because of their negligence.
Fahrenheit 451
Really ironic that a book set somewhere in the future with a totalitarian government that makes firemen burn books has been banned. Banned for using Gods name in vain, language (nothing much worse than hell and damn) book also discusses being drunk, smoking cigarettes, violence, and references to the Bible.
My Brother Sam is Dead
I remember my 5th grade teacher made this book required reading and I really liked it. Banned for profanity, violence, alcohol consumption, and unpatriotic views.
1984
Another ironic book to be banned. In 1981, parents saw it as pro-communist. Some book reviewers called it a veiled attack against Josef Stalin. Has sex scenes that are graphic also has been challenged on social and political grounds. The term, "Big Brother" still pops up in pop culture.
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