Are Banned Books Illegal?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Every year the American Library Association records hundreds of attempts by groups and individuals to remove from schools and libraries. …

A banned book is not illegal to read

, but may be difficult to find. It is not uncommon for a book to be banned from some schools, but be on the reading lists for others.

Why are books being banned 2020?

More than 273 titles were challenged or banned in 2020, with

increasing demands to remove books that address racism and racial justice

or those that shared the stories of Black, Indigenous, or people of color. As with previous years, LGBTQ+ content also dominated the list.

Why are banned books banned?

There are a few common reasons that books have been banned or censored in schools, libraries, and book stores. These include:

Racial Issues

: About and/or encouraging racism towards one or more group of people. … Violence or Negativity: Books with content that include violence are often banned or censored.

What is the number 1 banned book in America?

  • The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.
  • Captain Underpants (series) by Dav Pilkey.
  • Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher.
  • Looking for Alaska by John Green.
  • George by Alex Gino.
  • And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell.

Are books being banned?

Despite the opposition from the American Library Association (ALA),

books continue to be banned by school and public libraries across the United States

. … Libraries sometimes avoid purchasing controversial books, and the personal opinions of librarians have at times affected book selection.

Is Harry Potter a banned book?

Religious debates over the Harry Potter series of books by J. K. Rowling are based on claims that the novels contain occult or Satanic subtexts. …

The books have been banned from all schools in the United Arab Emirates

. Religious responses to Harry Potter have not all been negative.

What was the first book to be banned?

When a book compares you to a crustacean, it's unlikely you'll be begging the author for a sequel. So,

the Puritans banned it

, making it likely the first book to be banned in the United States.

Why was Animal Farm banned in the US?

The book was misunderstood and was seen as being critical of all forms of socialism, rather than specifically Stalinist communism. The American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) funded a cartoon version in 1955. Because

of its illegality

, many in Soviet-controlled territory first read it in pirated, ‘samizdat' form.

What is the most frequently banned book?

  • The Color Purple by Alice Walker. …
  • The Great Gatsby by F. …
  • I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. …
  • Lord of the Flies by William Golding. …
  • Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. …
  • One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey. …
  • To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

What is the number one banned book of all time?

  1. THE CATCHER IN THE RYE, by J.D. …
  2. A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, by Anthony Burgess. …
  3. A FAREWELL TO ARMS, by Ernest Hemingway. …
  4. ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN, by Mark Twain. …
  5. LORD OF THE FLIES, by William Golding. …
  6. BRAVE NEW WORLD, by Aldous Huxley. …
  7. THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES, by Ray Bradbury.

What books are illegal in the US?

  • Brave New World.
  • Of Mice and Men.
  • To Kill a Mockingbird.
  • The Catcher in the Rye.
  • The Harry Potter series.
  • Fun Home.

What is Banned book Week in America?

Banned Books Week (September 26 – October 2, 2021) is

an annual event celebrating the freedom to read

. Typically held during the last week of September, it spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools.

Is it illegal to own Mein Kampf in the UK?


The e-book versions of Mein Kampf have also been banned

, and Adolf Hitler's author page has been shut down. However, certain foreign language editions of the book remain available for purchase via Amazon UK.

What books are they trying to ban?

  • The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
  • The Catcher in the Rye, by JD Salinger.
  • The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck.
  • To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee.
  • The Color Purple, by Alice Walker.
  • Ulysses, by James Joyce.
  • Beloved, by Toni Morrison.
  • The Lord of the Flies, by William Golding.

Is JK Rowling a billionaire?

J. K. Rowling CH OBE HonFRSE FRCPE FRSL Notable works Harry Potter series Cormoran Strike series

Is Harry Potter good or evil?

Harry Potter is

considered a “good” literary work

, and it can be assumed that it was written with good intentions.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.