Fahrenheit 451

"Fahrenheit 451" is banned because of “controversial” ideas like censorship, the suppression of knowledge, and violent portrayals of authority. Other reasons for banning it, include profanity and using the lord’s name in vain; Christians argue it goes against Christian values and should not be allowed in schools. It is banned in many states such as California, Texas, and Florida. Fahrenheit 451 was written by Ray Bradbury in 1953. It is a Sci-Fi novel about a dystopian future where books are outlawed by the government. HINT HINT: following current day trends. Fahrenheit 451 is a warning to the consequences of governmental censorship. It shows the danger of ignorance and reliance on technology. It is ironic that a novel about the dangers of outlawing books is on the banned book list. 

The Testament and Handmaid's Tale

"The Testaments" by Margaret Atwood and "The Handmaid's Tale," also by Atwood, have faced bans in Florida, Texas, Missouri, Oregon, South Carolina, and Utah due to their explicit themes of sexual violence, oppressive societal structures, and critiques of religious extremism. Critics argue that the graphic depictions of misogyny and totalitarian control could be inappropriate for certain ages. Additionally, some have taken issue with the books' political and social commentary, viewing them as too controversial for school curricula, leading to restrictions in various locations. "The Testaments," is a sequel set fifteen years after the events of "The Handmaid's Tale." It unfolds through the perspectives of three characters: Aunt Lydia, a high-ranking woman in Gilead who is complicit in its oppressive regime yet harbors her own motivations; and two young women, Agnes and Daisy, who are navigating their lives under Gilead's rule. The novel explores themes of resistance, identity, and the complexities of power.

The Giver

"The Giver" by Lois Lowry has been banned in California, Florida, Michigan, Texas, and Wisconsin due to its themes, which include complex issues like euthanasia, mortality, individuality, and the absence of emotional depth in a controlled society. Critics argue that the book's content may be too mature for younger readers and could provoke uncomfortable discussions about topics such as conformity, control, and societal ethics. These challenges often arise from concerns about its appropriateness in educational settings, particularly among conservative communities. The novel is set in a dystopian society that values sameness and conformity over individuality and emotions. The story follows a 12-year-old boy named Jonas. As he trains with the current Receiver, an elderly man known as The Giver, Jonas learns about the complexities of human experience, including love, color, and freedom, all of which are absent in his colorless, emotionless community. As Jonas discovers these emotions, he challenges the conservative community's traditions and seeks change against his government. 

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl

Anne Frank's diary, "The Diary of a Young Girl," has faced bans for themes of sexuality, criticism of authority, and Frank's discussions of adolescence. The historic novel is banned in districts in Texas and Florida. “The Diary of Anne Frank” details the journal kept by a young girl, Anne Frank, while she and her family stayed in hiding for two years, 1942 – 1944, while Nazis terrorized the Netherlands. It provides information for how the Jews were attacked and treated like animals during the Holocaust, a gruesome genocide that occurred in Germany during WWII. Anne Frank was transferred from Auschwitz to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945 where she died at the age of 15. Her father survived the holocaust and went on to publish his daughter's diary, who has become one of the most well-known victims of the Holocaust.  They have banned an important cultural and historically significant novel, not based in fiction but based on events that occurred in history. Her story is important- when we stop teaching about the cruel events and genocides of the past, we are on the path to repeat them.

A Court of Thorns and Roses

"A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J. Maas has faced bans and challenges primarily due to its explicit sexual content, strong language, and themes of violence. It is banned in the state of Utah and a few other counties. Critics argue that these elements may be inappropriate for younger readers and that the book's portrayal of relationships can be problematic. The challenges often arise in schools and libraries, where parents or community members express concerns about the suitability of the material for adolescents. The first of a five-book series "A Court of Thorns and Roses" is set in a fantasy world with high fae and humans pitted against each other. The series follows the story of a 19-year-old girl as she is taken by a high fae lord into the fantasy realm full of magic. As TikTok calls it, Acotar is "spicey" and erotic.