This time of year, we reach for our remotes more often, binge-watching TV shows, streaming movies that have been on our watchlists for months, and diving into worlds that aren't our own. We also pick up books; tackling our TBR, reading the latest bestseller, and completing a series we've enjoyed throughout the year.
Readers are always surprised when Banned Books Week comes around. The American Library Association advocates all year round for our Freedom to Read, but this year, from October 4 -10, libraries across the country are encouraged to advocate and educate our communities on challenged and banned books.
So, you might be surprised to find out that your favorite book from your childhood or the classic you read last year is frequently challenged. A lot of those books have also been adapted into movies and TV shows. Below, see our list of frequently challenged books and their adaptations, available through the BPL. Click on the title to find it at a location near you. For more information on Banned Books, visit ala.org/bbooks.
The story of Sethe, a former slave, as she endures a haunting from her past and fiercely protects her children. Beloved touches on the topics of slavery, love, and trauma. Published in 1987, Beloved has faced numerous challenges for topics such as violence, obscenity, and offensive language. It was released as a film in 1998 starring Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Teens Hazel Grace and Augustus are battling cancer on their own terms when their paths cross, and it’s their love for each other and their own way of living life that connects them. John Green’s now classic YA novel has sparked many discussions in schools and libraries for alleged obscenity for minors, LGBTQIA+ representation, and considering the text unsafe or harmful. The book was adapted into the popular 2014 film starring Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort.
As Jonas meets the Giver, he must come to understand that his reality is not perfect, and civilization is far more complicated than he could’ve ever imagined. Lois Lowry’s dystopian phenomenon received many censorship attempts after its publication in 1994, mainly for alleged portrayals of violence, drug use, and suicidal ideation. The book was adapted into a film in 2014, starring Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, and Brenton Thwaites.
Published before The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien’s 1937 fantasy novel, The Hobbit, created quite a controversy that led to censorship on the basis of occult/satanic content. Film director Peter Jackson told the tale of Bilbo Baggins in a trilogy — The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012); The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013); and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014).
Stamped From the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi
A profound piece of non-fiction by professor and activist Ibram X. Kendi, Stamped From the Beginning, which has been adapted for multiple age groups, guides us through the history of racism in America and its current state. Many of its challenges and bans are because of its EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) content. Netflix adapted the book into a 2023 documentary.
Sophie's Choice by William Styron
Post World War II, Sophie, a Polish-Catholic who survived Auschwitz, has moved to America, where she meets Stingo, a writer from Virginia. As Stingo’s infatuation with Sophie and her lover, Nathan, grows, he learns new secrets about them. The 1982 film adaptation helped skyrocket Meryl Streep’s influential career, but the 1979 novel has faced recent challenges due to its false claims of illegal obscenity for minors.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Published in 1998, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone caught the attention of children and parents. Harry’s surprising enrollment into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry brings young readers into a new, magical world, and its 2001 film does the same. Decades later, and the book and film series now complete, many attempts to censor and ban the book are made due to the writing of magic and alleged occult/satanic content.
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
A classic children’s chapter book, Paterson writes about friendship, loss, and love through the magical land of Terabithia. The book is popular among school reading lists, as well as its 2007 movie adaptation. Though published in 1977, the book saw many challenges from 1990 to 2020 because of alleged offensive language, disliked religious views, and illegal obscenity for minors.
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
The story of the Joad family as they travel to California during the Great Depression, author John Steinbeck’s classic American novel shares with the reader the story of human dignity. Its 1940 film adaptation starring Henry Fonda has been considered one of the greatest films of all time. Despite praise and a Pulitzer Prize, the novel has been challenged due to false claims of illegal obscenity for minors.
The horror genre isn’t for everyone, but Carrie stands out as one of the greatest horror novels of all time. Young Carrie’s telekinetic powers come to full vengeance on her high school classmates and religious mother in King’s novel. Actress Sissy Spacek plays the title character in the 1976 film. The book has been challenged based on claims of illegal obscenity for minors, as well as LGBTQI+ representation and EDI content.
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