Banned and Challenged Books

   3Teachers1Blog is a blog from three future English teachers working to inform the public about banned and challenged books. Banned and challenged books often go "under the radar" in education. For middle school and secondary classrooms, some of our adolescents favorite reads are starting to become challenged- many for reasons that you wouldn't believe. Please follow our blog for general posts regarding this pertinent topic in education!

  What's the difference between banned and challenged books? A challenged book is an attempt to remove or limit materials based on the objections of a particular person or group. A banning of a book is the actual removal of those materials- meaning the challenge was successful. Challenges are often an attempt to remove material from a school's curriculum or library, and thus restricting future access by students and others. However, most challenges are unsuccessful and materials typically remain in a school's library or curriculum. 

 Why are books challenged in schools? Books are usually challenged in schools with the best of intentions - to protect others, frequently children, from difficult, or harmful, ideas and information. There are three main reasons cited for challenging materials: 1. sexually explicit material, 2. offensive language, and 3. unsuited to any group. 

 Popular banned books of the 20th Century: some of these books are frequent flyers on the banned books list, but others may be to your surprise. Coming out at number one this year is The Hunger Games series... Why? Some major concerns regarding The Hunger Games is that it encourages an "anti-family" lifestyle, while also being cited as "anti-ethnic" and "occult/satanic." One of the most popular banned books is The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn one of our fellow bloggers is writing an entire post dedicated to Huck and his crew. Some reasons being is for its "coarse language"- leaving it the most frequented banned book since 1885. The Harry Potter series also made the cut (we were just as shocked as you). Why? Some parents believe that the books are promoting "witchcraft", "violence" and "devil worship." To Kill a Mockingbird was another popular one during the 20th-Century; some call it degrading, profane and racist, while also claiming that it promotes "white supremacy." And then there's The Catcher in the Rye; some think it has unnecessary and vulgar language, sexual scenes, and problems concerning moral issues.

 Although these are only five of the most popular banned books of the 20th-Century, the list still goes on. As stated from AdultLearn, "From the beginning of the written word, books have had the capacity to enlighten, to instruct, to entertain and to offend, sometimes all within the same text. Books are frequently banned, generally on a local level affecting only local or school libraries. Occasionally, a government will step in to ban a book. It is not illegal to read banned books, the rulings just make them more difficult to find. Booksellers are sometimes guilty of banning books as well. They cave in response to pressure from customers and perceived threats from consumer groups and will remove books from their shelves. Public outrage is a powerful tool, though seldom wisely wielded." 

 Please continue to check back for future posts regarding banned and challenged books. We appreciate any feedback, questions or concerns you may have.

Thank you!