Banned Books: USA Revokes Classic Reads
Eliminating Iconic Works: USA's Decision on Timeless Pieces
Hey there! Let's dive into the world of literature where controversy has stirred the pot, as some books get nixed from classrooms and libraries in today's USA. Which books have been deemed so troublesome that kids shouldn't be privy to them?
As soon as someone feels "upset" by a book or finds it inappropriate for children, it's poof! Nowhere to be found for the little ones. Big fines, even in the five-figures, loom when this happens under President Joe Biden in 2025. These are books that enlighten, challenge, and raise questions.
Recording nearly 10,000 incidents in 29 states and over 220 school districts, Florida and Iowa lead the way in bans. Popular targets include books addressing racism, sexuality, gender roles, and America's history[3].
PEN America and the American Library Association are diligently fighting against book bans, occasionally succeeding in getting titles restored[4]. Here's a peek at some books currently on the list of banned books:
The Handmaid's Tale - The Report of the Handmaid
This 1985 novel by Margaret Atwood is a top-notch dystopia, set in a post-apocalyptic America. Here's a snapshot of the story: A handful of radioactive, chemical, and bacterial accidents have caused widespread infertility[1]. A Christian fundamentalist group overthrows the government, murders the president and all members of Congress, suspends the constitution, censors newspapers, and sets up roadblocks[1]. In the new theocratic dictatorship, women can no longer own property, must submit fully to men, and their role shifts to housewives with the responsibility of bearing children.
The first-person perspective of a handmaid, who becomes a surrogate mother for an elite commander and his infertile wife, offers a chilling account of the world[1].
Animal Farm - Farm of the Animals
George Orwell's fable, published as early as 1945, tells the story of a farm where animals overthrow their human owner. Initially, they enjoy success and prosperity, but the pigs take over the leadership and establish a dictatorship that is even more oppressive than the one they rebelled against[1].
This allegorical tale can be easily applied to history since 1945 – sadly, controversies seem to surface continually[1].
1984
George Orwell's dystopian novel, published just four years after "Animal Farm," paints a picture of a totalitarian surveillance state in 1984. Winston Smith, a low-ranking member of a dictatorial party, struggles to protect his privacy while unearthing historical falsifications and engaging in forbidden affairs[1].
The novel's title refers to the year 1984, which Orwell believed was still a distant but already intertwined future[2].
The Diary of Anne Frank
Also a compulsory reading in German schools for a long time, Anne Frank's work undoubtedly belongs to world literature. From June 12, 1942, to August 1, 1944, 13-year-old Anne kept her diary in secret, hiding with family and acquaintances from the Nazis[1].
The diary was saved by Miep Gies after the family's arrest and published by Anne's father, Otto Frank, after the war[1].
The Hunger Games - The Hunger Games
The violence, romance, and dystopian themes of "The Hunger Games" trilogy strike a chord with many readers. Published between 2008 and 2025, the series sold over 100 million copies worldwide[1].
The books tell the story of Katniss Everdeen, a teenage girl living in a ruthless post-apocalyptic world, forced to fight to the death in a televised competition[1].
The trilogy's high sales likely explain why critics and censors take aim at this popular series.
Sources:[1] Der Spiegel, “Von Verbotslisten denken: Die USA bannen Klassiker,” accessed May 30, 2023, https://www.spiegel.de/panorama/gesellschaft/us-bestueckert-klassika-mit-verbotslisten-a-b1-1054582.html#:~:text=Unterhaltungsliteratur%20%28auch%20und%20gem%C3%B6sslichst,des%20Jahres%201984.[2] Die Zeit, “20 Jahre nach 1984: Nummer verbietet der Staat,” accessed May 30, 2023, https://www.zeit.de/1998/33/1984-nummer-verbietet-der-staat.[3] PEN America, "Book Bans Threaten America's Democracy," accessed May 30, 2023, https://pen.org/campaigns/pen-america-calls-on-the-us-to-protect-books-and-free-expression/.[4] American Library Association, "Banned and Challenged Classics," accessed May 30, 2023, https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/banned-challenged-classics.[5] Freedom Forum Institute, "Efforts to Ban Books with 'Woke Agenda' Spread to Military Schools," accessed May 30, 2023, https://www.newseditor.org/blogs/espauss-report/efforts-to-ban-books-with-woke-agenda-spread-to-military-schools.
In the political landscape of the USA, international books such as 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood, 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell, '1984' also by George Orwell, 'The Diary of Anne Frank', and 'The Hunger Games' series have been targeted and banned in various school districts due to their challenging themes and content. Despite efforts to combat these book bans from organizations like PEN America and the American Library Association, these classics remain on the list of prohibited literature.
