Ten Banned/Challenged Books

Ten of the books which helped shape America that were banned or challenged.

Nicole Peterson, Tom Tom StaffAugust 25, 2016Leave a Comment

Jack Connelly

  1. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain, 1884
    This book is challenged in Massachusetts, because it is considered offensive. Some Americans do not want to have the book taught in schools or even in libraries.

 

  1. The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Malcolm X and Alex Haley, 1965

This book was challenged in many locations because it is a “how to” guide for crime and an anti-white statements.

 

  1. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Dee Brown, 1970

A Wisconsin official banned this book from the school because they wanted to avoid controversy at all costs.

 

  1. Catch-22, Joseph Heller, 1961

A school board in Ohio tried to ban this book from being taught in the school. It was taken out of the school library until four years until the decision was overturned.

 

  1. The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger, 1951

This book is being taken in and out of libraries because of its censorship and for being considered a “filthy” book.

 

  1. Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury, 1953

Instead of being banned in Venado Middle School in Irvine, CA, the words “hell” and “damned” were blacked out of the book.

 

  1. The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck, 1939

Turkish booksellers were penalized in the 1970’s because the book was considered to be propaganda, and has been prohibited in other countries as well.

 

  1. The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald, 1925

A Baptist Church banned this novel because of the mere mention of sex and booze.

 

  1. In Cold Blood, Truman Capote, 1966

This book was banned and brought back in Savannah, GA because of its language.

 

  1. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee, 1960

Some American literature classes will not teach this book because it is said to be degrading.