11 Banned Books Never Leaving Our Shelves

Child abuse, religion, incest—these are just a few of the controversial topics in V.C. Andrews’s 40-year-old novel FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC. But these are the very same issues that make it such an insatiable read. The first of the Dollanganger series, this novel centers on Cathy, Chris, Cory, and Carrie—siblings who are locked in their grandmother’s attic by their superstitious mother. What happens in the attic reverberates over decades and generations, and is told over the course of many books.

For a book that first hit shelves in 1953, Fahrenheit 451 remains alarmingly relevant. In our present-day era of “fake news” (deemed as such by politicians who don’t like unflattering news coverage) and actual fake news distributed by bots, censorship is a very real concern. Suddenly, Ray Bradbury’s cautionary tale about a dystopian world where reading is forbidden and books are banned doesn’t seem quite so far-fetched. Luckily, we have this enduring American classic to remind us why learning and independent thought must always be protected.

When a black teen girl witnesses a police officer fatally shoot her unarmed friend Khalil, she must find the courage to speak out despite the inevitable backlash. With a plot that mirrors current national news headlines, it’s unsurprising that this book would spark as much controversy as the real-life shootings  of unarmed black teens like Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, and Tamir Rice. Yet it was a parent’s complaint of “inappropriate language” that led a school district in Katy, Texas, to remove it from circulation; a superintendent went on to claim that it was the book’s “pervasive vulgarity and racially insensitive language . . . not its substantive content or the viewpoint expressed” that led to the ban. Author Angie Thomas was quick to respond on Twitter: “I’m saddened to hear that a school district in Texas banned #TheHateUGive, but I’m also empowered—you’re basically telling the kids of the Garden Heights of the world that their stories shouldn’t be told. Well, I’m going to tell them even louder. Thanks for igniting the fire.”

Generations of readers have been captivated by the cautionary tale in this “anonymous” diary of a teen girl’s downward spiral of addiction. The harrowing journal entries provide an intimate look into the struggles of the narrator, who is served a soft drink laced with LSD at a party and within months, is hooked on drugs and in danger of losing everything.

Love it or hate it, there’s no denying that FIFTY SHADES OF GREY was a literary sensation for a hot second there. Originally published online as Twilight Saga fan fiction, the explicit love story between billionaire Christian Grey and ingénue Anastasia Steele fueled conversation everywhere, from book clubs to family reunions. Did it titillate? Sure. But it also encouraged frank discussions about female desire and introduced scores of readers to their new favorite genre: romance.

In 2016, Texas prisons banned Dan Slater’s nonfiction work WOLF BOYS, and Slate magazine called the move a “national disgrace.” In the book, two American teenagers are hired by a Mexican cartel as killers and drug dealers. The ban, which was implemented because of the “criminal schemes” portrayed in the book, sparked debate about prisoners’ rights and freedom of speech.

This classic coming-of-age novel is no stranger to being banned. THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER follows shy high school freshman Charlie as he befriends a group of seniors who usher him into a world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. While one might understand some parents’ concerns about the book’s depiction of teens tripping on acid, others have cited its inclusion of masturbation and homosexuality as reasons to boot it off the required reading list. Those who focus solely on the controversial content, however, miss out on the book’s tender portrait of friendship and healing from trauma.

THE BLUEST EYE very explicitly depicts sex and child molestation, so it’s incredibly shocking and upsetting. However, as you could expect with Toni Morrison, the novel is also profoundly, beautifully written. It shows how racism can be internalized, and the impact it has on children  as they grow  up. It also touches on shame and society. Exceptionally powerful, emotional, and powerful, it’s  a  classic Morrison book everyone  should have on their bookshelves.

In 2019, a Catholic school in Tennessee banned students from accessing the Harry Potter book series, citing fears it would drive students to the darkness of witchcraft and that spells included in the (and I cannot stress this enough) fictional children’s series could be real spells. This isn’t the first time the series has been banned, even at one point reaching the peak spot of “most banned book” in America. There were numerous reasons cited for why schools weren’t encouraging students to join Dumbledore’s Army. From claims it was too scary for children to the religious angle that wizards inherently can’t be the good guys, Harry Potter has stirred debate during Banned Books Week since its inception. Still the most lucrative book series in the world, Harry Potter is the best example of not letting the haters get you down.

In 2020—at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement—ALL AMERICAN BOYS became the third most banned book of the year, most notably due its inclusion of anti-police messages and being “too much of a sensitive matter right now.” The book follows the divisive aftermath of an extreme act of police brutality between a fist-happy cop and an innocent African American teen. Through the interwoven narratives of both a black victim and a white witness, the nuances and complications of racial injustice are explored in a way where everyone has something to learn and understand. Exceptionally honest and powerful, this story is one that not even a ban can silence.

It’s hard to imagine why a book as heartwarming as ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE could be taken off the shelves. But it’s one that’s frequently banned and was even included on one U.S. representative’s lists of works that “might make students feel . . . psychological distress because of their race or sex.” Aristotle and Dante are two young Hispanic boys who have little in common. Aristotle is angry, antisocial, and doesn’t understand why his family won’t talk about difficult topics. Dante, on the other hand, loves poetry and deep thoughts, but struggles with his cultural identity and the feeling that he’s not Mexican enough. One summer in El Paso, the two meet at the pool and begin to bond over their differences, changing each other for the better, and ultimately falling in love. Their story highlights so many important lessons for kids of any background: how to show up for a friend, how to feel like you’re enough, and how to work through painful, unfair events. While it explores the teen perspective through the specific lens of two Hispanic queer teens, it covers universal themes that everyone experiences, including the slow, thrilling process of discovering and listening to your true self. It’s an important book that can serve as a lifeline, whether it helps prepare you for what’s to come, or lets you know you’re not alone.