Research Guides: Children's Literature: Banned Books

Author Dav Pilkey on Banning Books

Banned and Challenged Books

"A book worth banning is a book worth reading"

Everyday books are still being challenged and removed from shelves, libraries, classrooms and reading lists.

For more information on book challenges in the U.S. see these links:

Banned Books CSULB Library Guide
PEN America Book Bans PEN America pushes back against the banning of books and the intolerance, exclusion, and censorship that undergird it.
ALA Frequently Challenged Books "The ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) receives reports from libraries, schools, and the media on attempts to ban books in communities across the country. We compile lists of challenged books in order to inform the public about censorship efforts that affect libraries and schools."
Freedom to Read Foundation "The Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) is a non-profit legal and educational organization affiliated with the American Library Association. FTRF protects and defends the First Amendment to the Constitution and supports the right of libraries to collect - and individuals to access - information."
Unite Against Book Bans This campaign is organized by the American Library Association, it is a national initiative to empower readers everywhere to stand together in the fight against censorship.
Challenge of Challenges: Challenge Emergency Kit Extinguish a book challenge by assembling the resources listed here.
How To Fight Book Bans and Challenges: An Anti-Censorship Tool Kit
Book Challenge Toolkit from CSLA Tools for addressing and fighting book challenges from the California School Library Association
Little House, Big Problem: What To Do with “Classic” Books That Are Also Racist Figuring out to how to handle classics that critics say haven’t aged well can be tough for librarians ...today, some media specialists are questioning the proper place for these and other novels.
Responding to Book Challenges for Educators The Free Expression Educators Handbook contains practical tools and advice for managing book challenges and censorship controversies in schools and school libraries.
Fielding “Pornography” Charges; Why Is a Parent Against Library Checkout? | Scales on Censorship