Banned Books That Shaped America

The following comes from the fabulous Banned Books Week website, endorsed by the Library of Congress and sponsored by a host of organizations including:  American Booksellers Association, American Library Association,  American Society of Journalists and Authors, and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

Banned Books That Shaped America:

"Books that Shaped America" is an exhibit created by the Library of Congress, exploring books that "have had a profound affect on American Life".  Some of the venerable books in the exhibition that have been challenged or banned include:


The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain, 1884

One of the most frequently challenged books of all time, was called "trash and suitable only for the slums" when first published. For over a century, censors decry the book, alleging it to be "oppressive,"  "racially insensitive" and guilty of "perpetuating racism."  

The Call of the Wild, Jack London, 1903

This staple of reading lists was burned in Nazi Germany bonfires, and banned in Italy and Yugoslavia in the 1920s and 30s. Age inappropriate due to dark tone, violence and blood are oft-cited reason censors claim why they are against what is considered Jack London's best work.

To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee, 1960

Promoting white supremacy, racist, degrading and profane. These are the terms used by censors who want the Pulitzer Prize winning book removed for high school American Literature classes.