We are in a time of unprecedented rise of book challenges and bans, making it all the more important for libraries to uphold Intellectual Freedom. Each year, hundreds of challenges pour in, attempting to have books—old and new—removed from school reading lists and library shelves. The American Library Association, opens a new window (ALA) reported, “1,269 demands to censor library books and resources in 2022, the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling data about censorship in libraries more than 20 years ago. The unparalleled number of reported book challenges in 2022 nearly doubles the 729 challenges reported in 2021.”
But what’s the difference between a challenged book and a banned book? According to the American Library Association, opens a new window, “A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based on the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials.”
Books can be challenged or banned for plenty of different reasons, but the rationale usually falls into one of four categories: political, legal, religious or moral. And more of these challenges result in banned books than you might think.
This is where the concept of intellectual freedom comes in. Part of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, intellectual freedom, opens a new window protects Canadians’ right to read whatever they want. This idea is central to how libraries operate.
The Edmonton Public Library follows the Canadian Federation of Library Associations, opens a new window,position, which states that “libraries provide, defend and promote equitable access to the widest possible variety of expressive content and resist calls for censorship and the adoption of systems that deny or restrict access to resources.” Simply put: it’s up to libraries to make a variety of materials available for anyone to access, even if those materials are considered unconventional, unpopular or unacceptable to some.
Every year, Canadian libraries celebrate this idea with Freedom to Read Week, opens a new window, where people are encouraged to read material that has been challenged or banned. Banned Books Week, opens a new window, which is typically celebrated during the last week of September, is another event that focuses on everyone’s right to read.
While there’s certainly no shortage of challenged and banned books to choose from—the ALA releases a list of the top 10 most challenged books each year, opens a new window and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund maintains a list of challenged comics, opens a new window—the following titles have been challenged or banned by various schools and libraries across North America.
Take a look and read a challenged or banned book!
1. This One Summer, opens a new window by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki
A winner of the Governor General’s Award for illustration, This One Summer is a graphic novel by Toronto-based writer, playwright, activist and performer Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki, a cartoonist and illustrator based in Toronto. It is the story of two friends, Rose and Windy, who spend their summers together at Awago Beach. 2016 the book was removed from a Minnesota school library because the content was deemed pervasively vulgar.” The book was restored to the school library shelves after the school board voted to allow the book back in the library.
This One Summer is available from the Edmonton Public Library as a graphic novel, opens a new window and eBook, opens a new window.
2. The Giver, opens a new window by Lois Lowry
Released in 1993, and winner of the 1994 Newberry Medal, The Giver, opens a new window is one of the most challenged books to make the list. It is the story of a young man, Jonas, and the seemingly ideal world he inhabits. Once he is assigned the role of Receiver, he begins to understand the cruel truth about his community. It has been banned or challenged for many reasons, including “occult themes,” “sexually explicit content” and “lewd and twisted” content.
The Giver is available from the Edmonton Public Library as a book, opens a new window, gift edition book, opens a new window, eBook, opens a new window, gift edition eBook, opens a new window, audiobook CD, opens a new window and downloadable audiobook, opens a new window. It was also made into a movie, which is available as a DVD, opens a new window and Blu-Ray, opens a new window.
3. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, opens a new window by Sherman Alexie
This teen novel is one of the most challenged books, most recently by a school district in Wichita, Kansas, where it was removed from the teachers' approved novels for use in classrooms. It details life on the Spokane Indian Reservation and the main character’s decision to attend an all-white public high school. It has been challenged or banned for its depictions of violence, sexuality, as well as its use of profanity.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is available from the Edmonton Public Library as a book, opens a new window, eBook, opens a new window, audiobook CD, opens a new window and downloadable audiobook, opens a new window.
4. Of Mice and Men, opens a new window by John Steinbeck
The 1937 classic by John Steinbeck and long-time fixture of high school English classes, Of Mice and Men, opens a new window, is another contender for most challenged book of all-time. It is the story of two migrant workers, living and working in Depression-era California, who dream of one day having land of their own. It has been the target of many book bans and challenges over the years for vulgarity, as well as offensive and racist language.
Of Mice and Men is available from the Edmonton Public Library as a book, opens a new window, eBook, opens a new window, audiobook CD, opens a new window and downloadable audiobook, opens a new window.
5. The Golden Compass, opens a new window by Philip Pullman
The first book, opens a new window in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series, opens a new window, this rousing adventure tale has been challenged or banned by school districts in Ontario, Alberta, Colorado, Kentucky, Texas and Wisconsin. It is the story of Lyra Belacqua, an orphan who spends her days among the scholars at Oxford’s Jordan College. The book explores themes of power and religion, and has been challenged or banned for anti-religious content.
The Golden Compass is available from the Edmonton Public Library as a book, opens a new window, eBook, opens a new window, audiobook CD, opens a new window and downloadable audiobook, opens a new window. It has also been turned into a two-volume graphic novel, opens a new window and a movie, opens a new window.
6. Lady Chatterley's Lover, opens a new window by D. H. Lawrence
Since its publication in 1928, this book, opens a new window has been banned in Britain, Australia, Canada, the United States, Japan and India. It is the story of a married woman, Constance Reid, whose husband has been paralyzed due to an injury suffered in the Great War and the affair that follows. In Canada, it wasn’t until 1960 that the book was deemed not obscene according to the Criminal Code.
Lady Chatterley’s Lover is available from the Edmonton Public Library as a book, opens a new window, large print book, eBook, opens a new window, downloadable audiobook, opens a new window and as streaming film.
7. Blankets, opens a new window by Craig Thompson
A semi-autobiographical graphic novel, Blankets, opens a new window tells the story of a young man and his upbringing in a devout Christian home. It details an early love affair and his struggles with his religious beliefs. The book was first challenged in Marshall, MO by a resident who wanted it removed from the library shelves due to the illustrations, which she deemed pornographic.
Blankets is available from the Edmonton Public Library as a graphic novel, opens a new window.
Interested in learning how EPL handles challenges on library material? Check out our Challenged Materials page, opens a new window, which includes information about how we choose the items available in the library and how customers can express concerns about library offerings.
Add a comment to: 7 Books You Never Knew Were Challenged