BANNED!

This month we went where censors told us not to go, and read books that were banned. its so fun to see what conversations spring up when good people talk about the ridiculousness of banning books.

"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed." - Benjamin Franklin, 1730



Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury
The story begins with a futuristic fireman, and very soon after you learn that firemen in the future burn books, rather than put out fires. A classic book about censoring.
and why was it banned? It contained themes of state censorship? go figure..
We learned that Ray did not wright it with ideas of censorship just to share his love of the written word.






The Diary of a young Girl - Anne Frank
A True story of a young girl hiding from the Nazi's in a small concealed closet. Her overall theme of finding joy even in the worst circumstances. Very beautiful, sad and inspiring.
Anne was banned for sexual undertones. We disagreed.








Gulliver's Travels - Johnathon Swift
A surgeon then a captain of several ships, 'travels' to several islands meeting several different peoples. Said to be wildly popular from cabinet council to the nursery.
Banned for public urination, Denounced as wicked and obscene in Ireland. Was that Mr. Swifts point?







Call of the wild - Jack London
A dog named Buck who lives spoiled until he is sold on the black market and has to learn to survive, with good and bad masters. Story is told from Bucks point of view.
Banned in Italy and Yugoslavia, and was on Hitlers 'Black List'. All the more reason to read it right?








Julie of the Wolves - Jean Craighead George
Taken away from her family in Alaska, this Eskimo is forced to marry a 13 yr old mentally handicap boy. She runs away and learns to live with wolves.
Banned because her ‘husband’ who is mentally handicap tries to mate with her
This was declared ALA's #38 most challenged book. Ms. George was grateful for the award.





Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L'Engle
This begins with the famous "It was a dark and stormy night" and you are hooked from that moment on. A young adult sci-fi beloved by adults and children of all ages. And winner of Several Awards, including Newberry. A classic story of Good vs. Evil and Good wins when the main hero discovers love is what wins out.
Banned in 1985 because of witchcraft and Demons and in 1990 in Alabama because of Jesus connection. How many books would we lose if these themes were prohibited?




The Giver - Lois Lowry
It is set in a future society which is at first presented as a utopian society and gradually appears more and more dystopian; therefore, it could be considered anti-utopianIt is set in a future society which is at first presented as a utopian society and gradually appears more and more dystopian; therefore, it could be considered anti-utopian.
Another classic beloved by all ages, and Newberry Award.
Banned in 1995, and became one of three most commonly challenged book (written in 93) Challenged because history is hidden, and color is hidden, music is hidden. People not perfectly fitting in society are released (euthanized). The giver is truly a gift for readers.



The Wealth of Nations – Adam Smith
A clearly written account of political economy at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, and is widely considered to be the first modern work in the field of economics.
Banned by the communist party in Russia - of course it was!









The Golden Compass - Phillip Pullman
Again another Newberry (honor) award - see a theme here?
A young girl in an alternate universe to earth where the 'soul' is an external animal.
Banned by the Catholic Board in Canada and other religionist because the author was an atheist. - "Philip Pullman's trilogy of atheist ideology, carefully couched within the realm of fantasy for young readers, is in direct opposition to the mission statement and governing values of our board." And we all know where religions censoring gets us.



Br'er Rabbit and the Tar Baby - African Folk Lore
Br'er Rabbit is trapped by Br'er Fox and Br'er Bear by getting his hands stuck in a doll made of tar and turpentine. Made famous by Disney in Songs of the South
Banned because of issues related to race. Just think with out it we wouldn't have zipadeedooda!





Black Beauty - Anna Swell
The Autobiography of a horse, as told by the horse 'Black Beauty'. Each short chapter recounts an incident in Black Beauty's life containing a lesson or moral typically related to the kindness, sympathy, and understanding treatment of horses, with Sewell's detailed observations and extensive descriptions of horse behaviour lending the novel a good deal of verisimilitude.
Banned because the word "Black" is in the title....what?