Banned Books Week

September 27-October 3, 2020

What is Banned Books Week?

According to the American Library Association, Banned Books Week “brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.

The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted with removal or restricted in libraries and schools. By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship.”

For more information about Banned Books Week, visit the American Library Association here.

Borrow a Banned Book at Clarkson

Interested in reading a banned book? Check out one of these books from Clarkson University Libraries!

List of banned books and the reason for banning or challenging obtained from the American Library Association.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Challenged and banned in some school districts for discussing suicide.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Call Number: 813.6 H829k

Challenged and banned in schools for sexual violence and the potential to lead to terrorism.

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (Illustrator)
Call Number: 741.5944 S253p

Challenged or banned for gambling, offensive language, political viewpoint, offensive content and graphic depictions.

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Call Number: 813.54 M882b

Challenged or ban for sexually explicit content and controversial issues.

The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
Call Number: 813.54 S165c

Challenged or banned for offensive language and sexually explicit content.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Call Number: 813.54 W177c

Challenged or banned for offensive language and sexually explicit content.

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Call Number: 813.54 P982g

Challenged or banned for religious viewpoint.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling; Mary GrandPré (Illustrator)
Call Number: 823.914 R884hs

Challenged or banned for occult and Satanic content.

Celebrate

Banned Books Week
Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. Typically held during the last week of September, it highlights the value of free and open access to information.
Celebrating Banned Books Week
Banned Books Week offers an opportunity for readers to voice censorship concerns, celebrate free expression and show their communities the importance of intellectual freedom. Here’s what you can do to fight censorship, keep books available in libraries, and promote the freedom to read!
Dear Banned Author Letter-Writing Campaign
Dear Banned Author is a letter-writing campaign hosted by the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. During Banned Books Week (September 23-29), readers are encouraged to write to their favorite banned or challenged authors, sharing what their stories meant to them.

Banned Books in the News