Hi this is @kimkimchii, About 98% these books are ban in few schools and public libraries in USA.

The other percentage is ban in countries. I made this list to spread awareness that you might not find these books at the libraries. Few people don't have privilege to buy books so they rely on school/libraries to access it. There is alot of books we didn't know that got ban.
1984 by George Orwell – Banned for political themes and alleged pro-communist ideas.
A Bad Boy Can Be Good For A Girl by Tanya Lee Stone
A Bend in the River by V.S. Naipaul – Banned for its portrayal of post-colonial African society, exploring the complex legacies of colonialism.
A Child Called "It" by Dave Pelzer
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess – Critique of government control and rehabilitation; banned for violence and political themes.
A Court of Mist and Fury
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas – Explicit sexual content and themes of abuse; challenged for mature content.
A Dark-Adapted Eye by Ruth Rendell – Family secrets, psychological tension.
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab – Magic, alternate worlds, and power struggles.
A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck – Animal cruelty, sexual content.
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness – Romance involving witches and vampires with strong sexual themes; banned for mature content.
A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen – Although progressive for its time, some criticize it today for reinforcing gender stereotypes.
A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway – War and sexual content.
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry – Political corruption, class disparity, and human suffering.
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin – Sexual violence, political intrigue.
A House for Mr Biswas by V.S. Naipaul – Banned for its portrayal of the lasting effects of colonialism on identity in the Caribbean.
A Judgement in Stone by Ruth Rendell – Class conflict, murder.
A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein – Banned for its “rebellious” poems that were seen as promoting disobedience
A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein – Dark humor, “rebellious” themes.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara – Graphic depictions of abuse, trauma, and relationships; banned for disturbing content.
A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah – Banned for its depiction of violence and hatred resulting from civil conflict and cultural prejudice.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare – Sexuality, magic, and mistaken identity.
A Passage to India by E.M. Forster – Banned for highlighting tensions between British colonizers and Indians, addressing racial prejudice and injustice.
A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn – Critique of U.S. history from an anti-establishment perspective; banned for its political views.
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving – Religious themes, language.
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry – Banned for addressing racial segregation and the fight for fair housing rights, highlighting struggles for justice in America.
A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf – Promotes female autonomy and free thought; banned in some conservative communities.
A Separate Peace by John Knowles – Violence, language, homosexuality themes.
A Simple Favor by Darcey Bell – Deception, betrayal, and murder.
A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid – Banned for its frank critique of tourism and colonial exploitation in the Caribbean.
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams – Themes of mental illness, sexual assault, and desire.
A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle – Religious themes, crime investigation.
A Terrible Mistake: The Murder of Frank Olson by H.P. Albarelli Jr. – Alleges CIA involvement in covert experiments; banned for conspiracy themes.
A Time to Kill by John Grisham – Banned for its depiction of racial violence and a father’s revenge after his daughter is assaulted in a hate crime.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith – Poverty, sexuality.
A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan – Drug use, sexual content.
A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks – Themes of love, loss, and redemption, with some elements seen as too emotional for certain audiences.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle – Accusations of occult themes.
After by Anna Todd – Teen romance with themes of toxic relationships, abuse, and explicit content; challenged for explicit sexual themes.
Alabama Moon by Watt Key – Violence, anti-government themes.
Alice McKinley (series) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Alice series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor – Sexual content, growing up themes.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll – Banned in parts of China for its portrayal of animals behaving as equals to humans, which was seen as disrespectful.
All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely – Banned for its portrayal of police violence, racial injustice, and a young man’s journey to seek justice.
All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson – LGBTQ+ themes, sexual content.
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque – Offers a German soldier’s view of WWI, showing war’s horrors; banned by Nazi Germany as anti-patriotic.
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven – Suicide, mental illness.
All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren – Political corruption, power, and morality.
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang – Racial themes.
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins – Cultural appropriation and portrayal of Mexican immigrants; banned for controversial themes.
American Indian Stories by Zitkala-Sa – Banned for challenging stereotypes and sharing personal narratives about the impact of boarding schools and forced assimilation.
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis – Critique of capitalism and yuppie culture; banned for graphic content and political commentary.
American War by Omar El Akkad – Climate change-driven second Civil War in the U.S.
An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser – Murder, sexuality.
An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz – Banned for challenging the traditional U.S. historical narrative, focusing on the oppression and resistance of Indigenous peoples.
Anatomy of a Murder by Robert Traver – Courtroom drama, murder, morality.
And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell – Banned for depicting a same-sex penguin couple, despite being based on a true story.
And the Band Played On by Randy Shilts – Investigates the U.S. government’s response to the AIDS crisis; banned for its critique of political inaction.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie – Violence, murder mystery.
Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt – Banned for its portrayal of poverty and the search for justice and dignity in an impoverished society.
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown – Addresses secret societies and church conspiracies; banned for controversial religious themes.
Angels in America by Tony Kushner – LGBTQ+ themes, AIDS, and political critique.
Animal Farm by George Orwell – Political content and anti-communist themes.
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy – Challenged for its portrayal of a “fallen woman” and traditionally gendered themes.
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl – Graphic depictions of wartime atrocities.
Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden – LGBTQ+ themes and romantic relationship between two girls; banned for homosexuality.
Annie’s Song by Catherine Anderson – Romance with themes of trauma and healing; banned for emotional content.
Anthills of the Savannah by Chinua Achebe – Banned for its critical view of post-colonial African regimes and the impact of colonial rule.
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume – Banned for addressing puberty and religion in a way that was seen as “too mature.”
Area 51: An Uncensored History by Annie Jacobsen – Investigates secrecy around Area 51; controversial for conspiracy themes.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz – LGBTQ+ themes.
Arrow of God by Chinua Achebe – Banned in parts of Africa for exploring the destruction of traditional cultures by British colonization.
As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner – Profanity, offensive language.
Athletic Shorts by Chris Crutcher – Language, sexual content.
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand – Advocates for individualism and free-market capitalism; banned for political and philosophical content. controversial ideology; criticized for portrayals that can be seen as anti-feminist.
Atonement by Ian McEwan – Sexual content and themes of betrayal; banned for explicit material.
Bad Kitty (series) by Nick Bruel
Bared to You by Sylvia Day – Erotic romance series with explicit sexual content; banned for BDSM themes and graphic material.
Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire – Romance featuring a toxic and abusive relationship; challenged for themes of abuse and control.
Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson – Psychological manipulation, amnesia, murder.
Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris – Psychological abuse, marital tension.
Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo – Banned for exposing social and economic injustices in the Mumbai slums.
Behold a Pale Horse by William Cooper – Conspiracy theories about government cover-ups; banned for promoting “extreme” views.
Being Jazz by Jazz Jennings – LGBTQ+ themes.
Beloved by Toni Morrison – Depiction of the impact of slavery; challenged for racial themes and political commentary.
Big Hard Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction – Sexual content, adult themes.
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty – Domestic violence, secrets, and murder.
Black Boy by Richard Wright – Critique of racism and systemic injustice; banned for political and racial themes.
Black Elk Speaks by John G. Neihardt – Banned for portraying Native American spirituality and the Lakota perspective on the U.S. government’s policies.
Black Indian: A Memoir by Shonda Buchanan – Banned for exploring the intersections of African American and Native American identities, challenging conventional narratives.
Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin – Recounts a white journalist’s experience traveling as a Black man in the segregated South; banned for challenging racial norms.
Black Skin, White Masks by Frantz Fanon – Banned for its analysis of the psychological effects of colonialism and racial identity.
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya – Religious themes and language.
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause – Sexuality, violence.
Blood in My Eye by George Jackson – Critiques racial and social injustices in America; banned for promoting revolutionary ideas.
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy – Extreme violence, moral darkness.
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy – Graphic violence.
Blood River by Tim Butcher – Banned for its exploration of the Congo and the long-term consequences of colonial exploitation.
Blubber by Judy Blume – Bullying, body-shaming.
Bone by Jeff Smith – Violence, mature themes.
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah – Memoir of growing up during and after apartheid in South Africa; banned in some areas for its unflinching look at racism.
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley – Depictions of drug use and promiscuity.
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson – Death and religious content.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. – Banned due to confusion with another author (Bill Martin, who wrote a book on Marxism).
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson – Banned for its exploration of racism and prejudice that Black Americans faced in the 1960s.
Burger's Daughter
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown – Banned for detailing the U.S. government’s actions against Native Americans, highlighting themes of cultural genocide and resistance.
Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman – Banned for its portrayal of LGBTQ+ themes, exploring societal prejudice against gay relationships.
Candide by Voltaire – Critiques organized religion and promotes free thought; banned for anti-establishment ideas.
Cape Fear by John D. MacDonald – Revenge, obsession, family danger.
Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey – Toilet humor and “disobedience.”
Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut – Satirical critique of science, religion, and politics.
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller – Anti-war satire; banned for anti-military sentiments
Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko – Banned for its exploration of Native American identity and trauma post-WWII, as well as its complex spiritual themes and language.
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White – Banned in some schools due to talking animals, which was considered unnatural and against certain religious beliefs.
Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith – Soviet-era murder mystery, state repression.
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi – Violence, racial themes.
City of Thieves by David Benioff – Graphic violence, sexual content.
Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau – Advocates for individual protest against injustice; banned for anti-authoritarian themes.
Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman – Banned for addressing British colonial rule in India and the fight for independence.
Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two by Joseph Bruchac – Banned for its portrayal of Native American contributions to WWII, challenging stereotypes of Indigenous peoples
Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins – Alleges corporate and government manipulation of global economies; challenged for controversial claims.
Coraline by Neil Gaiman – Magic, horror, and dark fantasy themes.
Counting Coup: Becoming a Crow Chief on the Reservation and Beyond by Joseph Medicine Crow – Banned for discussing Native American warrior traditions and modern identity.
Crank by Ellen Hopkins – Drug abuse, language.
Crazy Brave by Joy Harjo – Banned for discussing Harjo’s life, spirituality, and the hardships she faced as a Native American woman.
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky – Guilt, morality, and justice.
Crossfire series by Sylvia Day – Erotic romance with explicit sexual themes and power dynamics; challenged for graphic sexual content.
Crossfire: The Plot That Killed Kennedy by Jim Marrs – Claims conspiracy in the JFK assassination; banned for challenging the official narrative.
Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton – Banned in apartheid South Africa for addressing racial injustices and the effects of colonial rule.
Cujo by Stephen King – Language, violence, disturbing scenes.
Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto by Vine Deloria Jr. – Banned for its critiques of the U.S. government’s treatment of Native Americans and its advocacy for Indigenous rights.
Cut by Patricia McCormick – Self-harm, mental health issues.
Daring Greatly by Brené Brown – Encourages vulnerability and self-expression; challenged in some conservative communities for its emphasis on individuality.
Dark Alliance by Gary Webb – Alleges CIA involvement in the crack cocaine epidemic; banned and challenged for criticizing government actions.
Dark Lover by J.R. Ward – Erotic vampire romance with explicit themes; banned for graphic content.
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn – Murder, dark family secrets, and trauma.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor – Themes of angels, demons, and forbidden love.
Daughters of Eve by Lois Duncan – Feminist themes, violence.
Day of Deceit by Robert Stinnett – Alleges FDR knew of Pearl Harbor beforehand; banned in some areas for historical revisionism.
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris – Sexuality, violence, supernatural themes.
Deadly Deceits by Ralph McGehee – Former CIA agent’s critiques of the agency; challenged for government secrecy themes.
Dear Martin by Nic Stone – Banned for discussing racism, profiling, and the hate crimes that emerge from systemic discrimination.
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller – Criticized for limited and stereotypical portrayals of women’s roles.
Defending Jacob by William Landay – Family drama, murder, legal thriller.
Diana: In Pursuit of Love by Andrew Morton – Claims conspiracy in Princess Diana’s death; challenged for unproven assertions.
Discourse on Colonialism by Aimé Césaire – Critiques colonialism’s impact; banned for promoting anti-colonial views.
Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee – Banned in parts of South Africa for portraying post-apartheid issues and the lingering effects of colonialism.
Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak – Critique of the Russian Revolution; banned in the Soviet Union for anti-communist themes.
Double Indemnity by James M. Cain – Adultery, murder, and insurance fraud.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson – Themes of duality, violence.
Dracula by Bram Stoker – Criticized for its traditional portrayals of gender and for casting women in roles as “temptresses.”
Drama by Raina Telgemeier – LGBTQ+ themes, sexuality.
Draw Me a Star by Eric Carle – Nudity in illustrations.
Dreaming in Cuban by Cristina Garcia – Banned for its portrayal of political and familial tensions rooted in prejudice.
Dune by Frank Herbert – Religious themes, violence.
Earthsea series by Ursula K. Le Guin – Magic and occult themes.
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell – Language, sexual content.
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine – Magic, occult themes.
Emile by Jean-Jacques Rousseau – Advocates for freedom in education and individual development; banned for challenging societal conventions.
Emma by Jane Austen – Complex gender themes, social critique.
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card – Violence, xenophobia.
Endgame by Samuel Beckett – Dark themes, existentialism.
Eragon by Christopher Paolini – Magic, dragons, and violence.
Evangeline by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow – Religious themes.
Every Dead Thing by John Connolly – Serial killers, dark themes, violence.
Exit Here. by Jason Myers – Drugs, sex, dark themes.
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer – Violence, trauma.
Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett – Espionage, murder, World War II.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury – Censorship and media manipulation by the government; banned for its critique of authoritarianism.
Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers – War violence, language.
Family of Secrets by Russ Baker – Claims about the Bush family’s connections to hidden political influences; challenged for conspiracy themes.
Feed by M.T. Anderson – Anti-corporate themes, language.
Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin – Pollution and mysterious illness in rural Argentina.
Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James – Explicit sexual content.
Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk - Violence, anti-corporate sentiments, and strong language.
Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver – Climate change and its effect on rural life.
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes – Disability representation, sexual content.
Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews – Incest, abuse.
Fools Crow by James Welch – Banned for its honest portrayal of the Blackfeet tribe’s struggles during westward expansion.
For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemmingway
Forever… by Judy Blume – Sexual content.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley – Themes of unnatural creation, horror.
Freedom Writers Diary by Erin Gruwell and the Freedom Writers – Banned for challenging racial and social injustices and inspiring students to fight for change.
Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera – Sexuality, violence.
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg – Banned for addressing racism, prejudice, and a hate crime subplot.
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard
Fun Home by Alison Bechdel – LGBTQ+ themes, sexual content.
Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe – LGBTQ+ themes and graphic depictions of sexuality; banned for inappropriate content.
George by Alex Gino
Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier – Death, cultural themes.
Girls & Sex by Peggy Orenstein – Explicit sexual content.
Go Ask Alice by Anonymous – Drug use, language, and graphic scenes.
Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin – Banned for its portrayal of racial and religious prejudice, highlighting the effects of hate on individuals and communities.
Go the Fuck to Sleep by Adam Mansbach
God Is Red: A Native View of Religion by Vine Deloria Jr. – Banned for critiquing Christianity and examining Indigenous spirituality, which some viewed as controversial.
Gone Baby Gone by Dennis Lehane – Child abduction, moral ambiguity.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn – Themes of murder, deception, and toxic relationships.
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell – Banned for its portrayal of slavery and Civil War politics.
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown – Religious censorship (attempted in some cases).
Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine – Horror elements.
Gossip Girl (series) by Cecily von Ziegesar
Grandpa Cacao: A Tale of Chocolate From Farm to Family by Elizabeth Zunon
Green Hills of Africa by Ernest Hemingway – Banned in parts of Africa for its colonial perspective on African culture and hunting.
Greenvoe by George Mackay Brown – Banned for depicting the effects of modernization and colonial-style exploitation on a small Scottish community.
Grendel by John Gardner – Violence, existential themes.
Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn – Exposes Soviet labor camps; banned in the Soviet Union for its critique of the regime.
Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift – Criticized for gender portrayals considered reflective of misogynistic views.
Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond – Banned for challenging Eurocentric views on colonial expansion and cultural development.
Hamlet by William Shakespeare – Themes of murder, incest, and madness.
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh – Banned for promoting “lying, spying, and disobedience” despite its messages about resilience and self-discovery.
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling – Accusations of promoting witchcraft.
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad – Banned for its controversial depiction of colonial Africa, which some view as anti-colonial and others as offensive.
Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story From the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine
Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson – Paranoia, deception, psychological thriller.
Hidden History by Gerry Docherty and Jim Macgregor – Reinterprets WWI history, suggesting manipulation by hidden powers; challenged for revisionist views.
His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman – Anti-religious themes and depictions of authority figures as evil.
History of the American People by Charles and Mary Beard – Offers a progressive view of American history; banned for its critique of capitalism.
Holes by Louis Sachar – Violence, dark themes.
Holy Blood, Holy Grail by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln – Suggests conspiracy about Jesus’ lineage; challenged for controversial religious content.
Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell – Depicts Orwell’s experiences in the Spanish Civil War; banned for its criticism of both fascism and communism.
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi – Slavery, violence, racial themes.
Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss – Concerns over violence against parents.
Hopeless by Colleen Hoover – Sexual assault, dark themes.
House Made of Dawn by N. Scott Momaday – Banned for its portrayal of a Native American’s struggle to find identity in a society hostile to his culture.
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski – Psychological horror, dark themes.
Houseboy by Ferdinand Oyono – Banned for exposing the exploitation of African servants under French colonial rule.
How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran – Ironically challenged by feminists for its critiques of mainstream feminism.
How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell – Violence, language.
Howl by Allen Ginsberg – Banned for profanity and nonconformist themes, despite its impact on free speech.
Howl by Allen Ginsberg – Explicit language, sexuality, and critique of American society.
I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings – LGBTQ+ themes.
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez – Mental health, sexual content.
I Am the Cheese by Robert Cormier – Mental illness, kidnapping.
I Am Watching You by Teresa Driscoll – Stalking, mystery, multi-narrative.
I Know What You Did Last Summer by Lois Duncan – Violence, suspense.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou – Addresses racism and abuse; banned for its political and social critique.
I, Rigoberta Menchú by Rigoberta Menchú – Memoir of an Indigenous woman’s life in Guatemala; banned for its depiction of social injustices.
If I Ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss – Racial stereotypes.
Imperial Reckoning by Caroline Elkins – Banned for exposing British abuses in Kenya during the Mau Mau uprising.
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote – True crime, murder, graphic content.
In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse by Joseph Marshall III – Banned for its portrayal of Lakota history and the bravery of Native American figures, challenging dominant historical narratives.
In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak – Nudity in illustrations.
In the Spirit of Crazy Horse by Peter Matthiessen – Documents the history of the American Indian Movement; banned for its critique of U.S. policies on Native Americans.
In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez – Story of the Mirabal sisters and resistance against dictatorship in the Dominican Republic; banned in some areas for political content.
In the Woods by Tana French – Childhood trauma, murder mystery.
Indian Killer by Sherman Alexie – Banned for its controversial portrayal of racial tensions and Native American identity in modern America.
Internet Girls (series) by Lauren Myracle
Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes – Domestic violence, psychological thriller.
Into the Water by Paula Hawkins – Suicide, murder, family secrets
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison – Racial themes and violence.
It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie H. Harris – Sex education content.
It’s So Amazing! by Robie H. Harris – Sex education content.
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl – Alleged drug references, language.
James Bond Series by Ian Fleming – Banned in some schools and libraries for sexism and objectification of female characters.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte – Religious themes, sexuality.
JFK and the Unspeakable by James W. Douglass – Suggests conspiracy in JFK’s assassination; controversial for challenging official accounts.
Jinnah of Pakistan
Judy Blume’s Forever by Judy Blume – Depicts teenage sexual exploration and romantic relationships; banned for explicit sexual content.
Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George – Depictions of rape.
Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera – LGBTQ+ themes, sexual content.
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen – Sexual assault, family issues.
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson – Banned for addressing the criminal justice system’s biases, focusing on wrongful convictions and the death penalty.
Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane – Banned for its portrayal of apartheid South Africa and its roots in colonial racial segregation.
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann – Banned in some schools for its true story of the Osage murders and the role of systemic racism and corruption.
Killing Custer: The Battle of the Little Bighorn and the Fate of the Plains Indians by James Welch and Paul Stekler – Banned for its revisionist take on the Battle of Little Bighorn from a Native perspective.
Killing Hope by William Blum – Details U.S. military interventions worldwide; banned for its critique of American foreign policy.
Killing the Messenger by Nick Schou – Details Gary Webb’s investigation into CIA activities; challenged for exposing government secrecy.
King & King by Linda de Haan and Stern Nijland – LGBTQ+ themes.
King Lear by William Shakespeare – Themes of power, madness, and family conflict.
King Leopold’s Ghost by Adam Hochschild – Banned for exposing atrocities committed during the Belgian colonization of the Congo.
Kiss the Girls by James Patterson – Graphic violence, serial killers.
Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H. Lawrence – Sexual content, explicit language.
Lakota Woman by Mary Crow Dog – Banned for discussing the American Indian Movement (AIM), poverty, and the oppression faced by Indigenous women.
Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison – LGBTQ+ themes and explicit language; banned for inappropriate sexual content.
Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman – Sexual themes and explicit content.
Lies My Teacher Told Me by James W. Loewen – Critiques traditional American history textbooks for glossing over injustices; banned for its alternative historical perspective.
Life is Funny by E.R. Frank – Language, sexual situations.
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov – Banned in multiple countries for moral and political reasons, seen as undermining traditional values.
Looking for Alaska by John Green – Sexual content, language, drug use.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding – Violence and negative depiction of humanity.
Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich – Banned for its honest depictions of life on an Ojibwe reservation, including issues of alcoholism, domestic violence, and cultural disintegration.
Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward – Explicit sexual content and violence; challenged for mature themes.
Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward – Explicit sexual content; banned due to graphic depictions of sex.
Lush by Natasha Friend – Alcoholism, family issues.
Macbeth by William Shakespeare – Challenged for its portrayal of Lady Macbeth, which has been seen as demonizing female ambition.
Macbeth by William Shakespeare – Themes of ambition, murder, and betrayal.
Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert – Criticized for portraying a woman punished for her desires, seen as reinforcing traditional views of women’s “morality.”
Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai
Matilda by Roald Dahl – Banned for its portrayal of children challenging abusive adults, despite its themes of empowerment.
Maus by Art Spiegelman – Violence, Holocaust themes.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews – Profanity and themes of death; banned for offensive language.
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes – A romance involving assisted suicide; banned for sensitive themes and controversial portrayal of disability.
Medea by Euripides – Themes of betrayal, revenge, and violence.
Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler – Banned in several countries for promoting Nazi ideology and hateful views.
Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus by John Gray – Criticized for reinforcing stereotypical gender roles; banned in some libraries as non-inclusive
Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie – Banned in some countries for its critique of British colonialism and its aftermath in post-colonial India.
Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur – Banned for its discussions on abuse, sexism, and gender-based violence rooted in prejudice.
Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley – Feminist retelling of Arthurian legend, witchcraft, and magic.
Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe – Banned for early portrayals of a morally ambiguous female protagonist; criticized for its lack of feminist perspective.
Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D Jackson
Monster by Walter Dean Myers – Banned for its portrayal of the justice system through the story of a Black teenager on trial, highlighting issues of bias.
Montana 1948 by Larry Watson – Sexual assault and racism.
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie – Murder, vigilante justice.
My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln Collier – Violence, anti-war themes.
My Sister’s Grave by Robert Dugoni – Murder, family tragedy, and mystery.
My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult – Medical ethics, language.
Mystic River by Dennis Lehane – Trauma, murder, and neighborhood secrets.
Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs – Drug use, explicit scenes.
Native Son by Richard Wright – Examines systemic racism and social issues; banned for racial and political themes.
Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga – Banned in some places for its portrayal of colonialism’s impact on gender and identity in Zimbabwe.
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman – Urban fantasy with dark, occult themes.
New York 2140 by Kim Stanley Robinson – Rising sea levels reshape New York City.
Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich – Investigates the struggles of low-wage workers in the U.S.; banned for its critique of capitalism.
Night by Elie Wiesel – Memoir of the Holocaust challenging notions of human brutality; banned in some places for disturbing content and graphic depictions.
Night Flying Woman by Ignatia Broker – Banned for depicting the effects of European settlement on Native American culture and spirituality.
Nine Hours To Rama
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult – Banned for depicting a school shooting motivated by bullying, hatred, and prejudice.
None Dare Call It Conspiracy by Gary Allen – Discusses alleged hidden global power structures; challenged for promoting anti-establishment ideas.
None Dare Call It Treason by John A. Stormer – Anti-communist and conspiracy-focused; banned for promoting fear of government subversion.
Not Without My Daughter
Nya’s Long Walk: A Step at a Time by Linda Sue Park
Of Love and Other Demons by Gabriel García Márquez – Religious themes, sex.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck – Offensive language, racial slurs.
On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin – Evolution, religious opposition.
On the Road by Jack Kerouac – Criticized for limited, stereotypical portrayals of women; banned for adult content and gender perspectives.
On the Trail of the Assassins by Jim Garrison – Investigates JFK assassination conspiracies; challenged for controversial assertions.
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn – Critique of Soviet labor camps; banned in the USSR.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey – Challenges authority in mental health institutions; banned for themes of anti-conformity.
One for the Money by Janet Evanovich – Bounty hunting, crime, and humor.
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez – Banned for its portrayal of imperialism in Latin America and critiques of American involvement.
Operation Gladio by Paul L. Williams – Allegations of secret Cold War-era operations in Europe; challenged for conspiracy content.
Operation Paperclip by Annie Jacobsen – Exposes secret U.S. program involving former Nazi scientists; challenged for conspiracy themes.
Ordinary People by Judith Guest – Mental illness, suicide.
Orientalism by Edward Said – Examines Western portrayals of Eastern societies; banned for its critical view of colonialism.
Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood – Genetic engineering and environmental apocalypse.
Othello by William Shakespeare – Jealousy, racial prejudice, and violence.
Our Friend the King
Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon – Graphic sexual content, time-travel romance; banned for explicit and controversial themes.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon – Time-travel romance with explicit sexual content; banned for graphic depictions of rape and mature themes.
Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz – Banned for its critique of British colonial rule in Egypt and the fight for national identity.
Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler – Environmental collapse and social disintegration.
Parrotfish by Ellen Wittlinger – LGBTQ+ themes.
Pawns in the Game by William Guy Carr – Claims about secret global conspiracies; banned for promoting extremist ideas.
Percy Jackson & the Olympians by Rick Riordan – References to Greek mythology and challenges to authority.
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi – Depictions of war and criticism of religion; banned for political content.
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi – Memoir of growing up in post-revolutionary Iran; banned for political themes and critique of government.
Pet Sematary by Stephen King – Horror, death themes.
Poisoned Arrows by George Monbiot – Banned for examining the exploitation of indigenous people and natural resources by neo-colonial interests.
Postmortem by Patricia Cornwell – Serial killings, graphic forensic detail.
Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld – Language, sexual situations.
Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow – Adultery, murder, legal manipulation.
Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter – Dark family secrets, graphic violence.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – Gender roles, marriage, and societal expectations.
Pride by Ibi Zoboi – A modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice with LGBTQ+ and racial themes; banned for its LGBTQ+ content and exploration of class and race.
Programmed to Kill by Dave McGowan – Explores connections between serial killers and alleged hidden networks; banned for conspiracy theories.
Push by Sapphire – Graphic depictions of abuse.
Rage by Richard Bachman (Stephen King) – School violence, banned for violent themes.
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier – Murder, psychological manipulation.
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard – Themes of power, rebellion, and class inequality.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston – LGBTQ+ romance between the First Son of the U.S. and a British prince; banned for LGBTQ+ content and explicit themes.
Revolutionary Voices: A Multicultural Queer Youth Anthology by Amy Sonnie
Revolutionary Voices: A Multicultural Queer Youth Anthology by Amy Sonnie
Rez Life: An Indian’s Journey Through Reservation Life by David Treuer – Banned for discussing the complexities of modern Native American life, including systemic poverty and resilience.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor – Banned for racial themes, despite its educational value on historical racism.
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare – Themes of suicide, youth, and familial conflict.
Rule by Secrecy by Jim Marrs – Claims hidden groups influence world events; challenged for conspiracy content.
Savages by Joe Kane – Banned for depicting conflicts between Ecuadorian tribes and oil companies, highlighting neo-colonial exploitation.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz – Graphic horror elements.
Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih – Banned for discussing the psychological effects of colonialism and post-colonial identity in Sudan.
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin – Witchcraft, magic, and romance.
Sex Education by Jenny Davis – Sexual content.
Sex Is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg – Sex education, LGBTQ+ themes.
Sexing the Cherry by Jeanette Winterson – LGBTQ+ themes, sexual content.
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn – Self-harm, family abuse, and murder.
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi – Romantic elements mixed with dystopian themes, featuring explicit content; challenged for mature themes and violence.
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi – Violence, dark themes.
Shatterpoint by Matthew Stover – Graphic violence, war themes.
Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle – Occult themes in some stories, crime.
Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor – Animal abuse, language.
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane – Mental illness, deception, and violence.
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse – Banned for its exploration of spiritual justice, self-discovery, and the search for inner peace.
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson – Exposes environmental destruction and government cover-ups; banned and challenged for its criticism of chemical industries.
Skippyjon Jones (series) by Judith Schachner
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut – Anti-war themes; banned for language and perceived criticism of U.S. actions in WWII.
Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson – Sexual content, racism.
So Far from the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Kawashima Watkins
Solar by Ian McEwan – Satire on global warming and environmental activism.
Sold by Patricia McCormick - This book, which portrays human trafficking, has been banned due to its explicit themes of violence and sexual abuse.
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison – Banned for its exploration of African American identity, family, and the pursuit of justice and self-discovery.
Sophie’s Choice by William Styron – Holocaust themes, sexual content.
Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder – Religious themes, philosophy.
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson – Sexual assault, language.
Spycatcher by Peter Wright – Ex-MI5 agent’s account of intelligence operations; banned by the British government.
Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi – Banned for its critical analysis of racism throughout history, advocating for racial justice.
Stardust by Neil Gaiman – Witchcraft, dark magic, and violence.
Steal This Book by Abbie Hoffman – Countercultural guide promoting anti-establishment behavior; banned for encouraging rebellious thinking.
Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine – Identity change, survival, serial killer.
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein – Explores free love, spirituality, and social norms; banned for anti-religious themes.
Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith – Themes of murder and moral relativism.
Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola
Stuck in the Middle by Ariel Schrag
Tales of the Otori by Lian Hearn – Magic, culture, and violence in feudal Japan.
Tampa by Alissa Nutting – Explicit sexual content and controversial themes; banned for inappropriate material.
Tangerine by Edward Bloor – Banned for addressing racism and class-based prejudice, examining hate’s impact on a community.
Tangled by Emma Chase – Romantic comedy with explicit sexual content; banned for graphic themes and adult language.
Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith – Romance with vampires and supernatural creatures; challenged for sexual themes and mature content.
Tarnished by Kendra C. Highley – Themes of love and self-discovery with explicit content; challenged for sexual material.
Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs – Racial themes, violence.
Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy – Criticized for its portrayal of female victimization and “fallen” woman themes; banned for challenging Victorian gender norms.
The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones – Reframes U.S. history by placing slavery and Black Americans’ contributions at its center; banned in some schools for being “divisive.”
The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff – Polygamy, murder, religious cult.
The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater – Banned for exploring LGBTQ+ identity and justice after a hate crime, examining bias in the justice system.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie – Banned for discussing poverty, racism, and the protagonist’s fight for a better life.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain – Language, racial themes.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain – Language, racial content.
The African Trilogy by Chinua Achebe – Banned for its in-depth exploration of British colonialism in Nigeria.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – Religious themes, spiritual content.
The Alienist by Caleb Carr – Graphic violence, mental illness, historical crime.
The Anarchist Cookbook by William Powell – Instructions for illegal activities.
The Angel Experiment by James Patterson – Violence, dark themes.
The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama – Promotes mindfulness and compassion; banned in China for political reasons.
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein – Sexual themes, language.
The Art of War by Sun Tzu – Banned historically in some areas for promoting unorthodox military strategies.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Haley – Banned for its depiction of Black activism and political views.
The Awakening by Kate Chopin – Women’s independence, sexuality, and societal roles.
The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket – Dark themes, violence.
The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare – Themes of magic, LGBTQ+ content, and identity.
The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud – Magic, witchcraft, and violence.
The Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison – Abuse, sexual violence.
The Belgariad by David Eddings – Magic, religion, and political themes.
The Bell Curve by Charles Murray and Richard Herrnstein – Criticized for its portrayal of gender intelligence differences, challenged by feminist groups for perceived sexism.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath – Addresses mental health and gender issues; banned for its critique of societal expectations.
The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui – Banned for discussing prejudice against immigrants and the lasting impact of war and cultural bias.
The Bhagavad Gita – Banned in some places for its promotion of introspection and alternative spirituality.
The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler – Crime, sexual content, and corruption.
The Black Book of the American Left by David Horowitz – Criticizes alleged hidden radical influences; banned in some circles for extreme views.
The Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward – Explicit sexual content and dark themes surrounding vampire romance; banned for mature themes.
The Black Dahlia by James Ellroy – Graphic violence, corruption.
The Black Prism by Brent Weeks – Themes of magic, power, and morality.
The Black Witch by Laurie Forest – Fantasy and themes of race and power struggles.
The Blithedale Romance by Nathaniel Hawthorne – Themes of transcendentalism and social critique.
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison – Banned for discussing racial and personal trauma, focusing on the pursuit of justice and self-worth in an unjust world.
The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell – A world affected by climate change and scarcity.
The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver – Graphic violence, serial killer themes.
The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon – Magic, dystopian themes, and resistance.
The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart – Magic, power, and rebellion.
The Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe – Racial themes, critique of class.
The Book of Mormon – Religious text challenged for historical claims that differ from mainstream Christianity.
The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill – Banned in some places for discussing the role of slavery in colonial America and British territories.
The Book of Night Women by Marlon James – Slavery, graphic violence.
The Book of Questions by Pablo Neruda – Promotes questioning and philosophical exploration; banned in some countries for promoting free thought.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak – Novel set in Nazi Germany, showing the Holocaust from an alternative perspective; banned for dark themes and violence.
The Bride by Julie Garwood – Romance with elements of historical fiction and strong sexual content; challenged for mature themes.
The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin – Magic, environmental collapse, and rebellion.
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky – Criticized for limited portrayal of women and upholding traditional views of women’s roles.
The Call of Cthulhu by H.P. Lovecraft – Occult themes, horror.
The Call of the Wild by Jack London – Violence and survival themes.
The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer – Challenged for depicting women through stereotypical tales; some stories considered sexist by modern standards.
The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer – Themes of sexual innuendo and religious hypocrisy.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger – Profanity, sexual content, and rebellion.
The Catcher Was a Spy by Nicholas Dawidoff – Banned for discussing World War II and espionage, despite its historical significance.
The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer – Government conspiracy, suspense.
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier – Bullying, violence, language.
The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander – Magic, fantasy creatures, and authority.
The CIA as Organized Crime by Douglas Valentine – Examines alleged CIA covert operations; challenged for promoting conspiracy theories.
The Cider House Rules by John Irving – Abortion themes.
The City of Bones by Cassandra Clare – Magic, dark themes, and rebellion.
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau – Dystopian themes, rebellion.
The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel – Sexual content, language.
The Client by John Grisham – Crime, violence.
The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah – Drugs, sexuality, violence.
The Color of Earth series by Kim Dong Hwa – Sexual content, nudity in illustrations.
The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein – Examines the history of housing segregation in the U.S.; banned for challenging traditional views on racial inequality.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker – Addresses racism and sexism; banned for political and social themes.
The Committee of 300 by John Coleman – Claims a global “elite” controls governments; banned in some places for conspiracy theories.
The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels – Proposes a critique of capitalism; banned in many places for promoting socialist ideas.
The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman – Graphic violence, Holocaust themes.
The Conquest of Bread by Peter Kropotkin – Advocates for anarcho-communism; banned in some areas for challenging established governments.
The Corporation by Joel Bakan – Explores the social impact of corporations; banned for its anti-capitalist critique.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas – Criticized for traditional roles of women as “virtuous” or “fallen.”
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena – Domestic thriller, deception, abduction.
The Creature from Jekyll Island by G. Edward Griffin – Claims U.S. banking system is manipulated by elites; banned in some areas for conspiracy themes.
The Crucible by Arthur Miller – Themes of witchcraft and anti-authoritarianism; banned for political content.
The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon – Conspiracy theories, government control, and paranoia.
The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith – Identity, celebrity culture, murder.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald – Age-related content.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon – Banned for language and themes of neurodivergence, despite its exploration of autism.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon – Themes of mental illness and autism; banned for sensitive content.
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown – Banned for its portrayal of religious conspiracy and questioning of Christian beliefs.
The Dark Elf Trilogy by R.A. Salvatore – Themes of violence, fantasy races, and revenge.
The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller – Violence, anti-hero themes.
The Dark Tower series by Stephen King – Themes of magic, dystopia, and violence.
The Deal by Elle Kennedy – College romance with themes of sexual exploration; challenged for explicit sexual content.
The Death of Democracy by Benjamin Carter Hett – Explores the fall of the Weimar Republic and the rise of Hitler; banned in some places for controversial analysis.
The Destruction of Black Civilization by Chancellor Williams – Reinterprets African history from an Afrocentric perspective; banned for challenging Eurocentric views.
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson – Serial killing, historical crime.
The Devil’s Advocate by Andrew Neiderman - Satanic themes and explicit content.
The Dirty Cowboy by Amy Timberlake
The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin – Critique of capitalism and exploration of anarchist ideals; banned for political content.
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri – Religious themes and graphic depictions.
The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells – Language, religion.
The Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi – Warfare and climate destruction in Southeast Asia.
The Drowning of Stephan Jones by Bette Greene – LGBTQ+ themes, violence.
The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare – Historical romance with sexual themes and explicit content; challenged for explicit material.
The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin – Themes of witchcraft, magic, and power.
The Earthsea Quartet by Ursula K. Le Guin – Themes of magic, morality, and death.
The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder – Occult themes.
The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede – Magic, feminism.
The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje – Banned for depicting WWII and colonial issues, and themes of identity and cultural displacement.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly – Evolutionary themes.
The Evolution of Claire by Tess Sharpe – Violence, genetic ethics.
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty – Demonic possession, religious controversy.
The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney – Abduction themes.
The Family Book by Todd Parr – LGBTQ+ themes.
The Famished Road by Ben Okri – Banned for its portrayal of Nigerian society and its struggles with colonial legacies.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green – Themes of death and illness in a young romantic relationship; challenged for emotional intensity and mature content.
The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan – Challenges traditional views of women’s roles; banned for promoting gender equality.
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin – Banned for its critique of racial injustice and exploration of identity and societal inequalities in America.
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand – Promotes individualism and challenging societal norms; banned for controversial philosophical ideas.
The Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic – Drug use, violence, mental health.
The Franklin Cover-up by John W. DeCamp – Alleges conspiracy involving politicians and child abuse; banned in some regions.
The Franklin Scandal by Nick Bryant – Discusses alleged high-level child trafficking; banned for graphic content and conspiracy themes.
The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson – Sexual content, self-harm.
The General in His Labyrinth by Gabriel Garcia Marquez – Banned for critiquing colonialism’s long-term effects on South American identity.
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi – Magic, intrigue, and LGBTQ+ themes.
The Girl in the Ice by Robert Bryndza – Crime investigation, police procedural.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins – Themes of addiction, infidelity, and murder.
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland by Catherynne M. Valente – Magic, fantasy, and gender themes.
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson – Government corruption, crime.
The Girl Who Lived by Christopher Greyson – Psychological trauma, survival.
The Girl with a Clock for a Heart by Peter Swanson – Betrayal, love, and murder.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson – Graphic violence, sexual assault.
The Giver by Lois Lowry – Themes of euthanasia and societal control.
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein – Themes of selfishness, parenting.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls – Child abuse, alcoholism.
The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams – Alcoholism, mental health.
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy – Banned in parts of India for discussing colonial legacies and caste issues, considered controversial and subversive.
The Godfather by Mario Puzo – Banned for its stereotyped portrayal of female roles as secondary to men in a violent, patriarchal world.
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman – Anti-religious themes and perceived promotion of atheism; banned for religious content.
The Golden Fool by Robin Hobb – Magic, complex relationships, and power dynamics.
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck – Banned for discussing Chinese society and the protagonist’s moral struggle for justice and survival.
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck – Depiction of economic disparity and criticism of capitalism; banned in parts of the U.S.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald – Language and adult themes.
The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo – Themes of magic, power, and rebellion.
The Ground Beneath Her Feet by Salman Rushdie – Religious themes, sexuality.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood – Critique of religious extremism and patriarchy; challenged for political and sexual themes.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas – Examines police violence and racial injustice; banned for political themes and language
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne – Sexual content and romantic tension in the workplace; challenged for mature themes.
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson – Dark, gothic themes with supernatural elements.
The Heartsong of Charging Elk by James Welch – Banned for depicting the cultural isolation and identity struggles of a Native American in France.
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon – Offers a critical look at the reasons for Rome’s collapse; banned for controversial views on religion’s role in history.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien – Magical creatures, battles, and violent content.
The Holy Bible – Challenged for religious beliefs and graphic content.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune – LGBTQ+ themes, magic, and identity.
The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende – Banned for magical realism and political themes, though it explores family and resilience.
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros – Sexual references, language.
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo – Sexual themes, graphic content.
The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins – Depicts oppressive government and rebellion; banned for its political subtext and violence.
The Illuminatus! Trilogy by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson – Satirical conspiracy theories about hidden powers; banned for controversial themes.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot – Medical ethics, racism.
The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini – Magic, dragons, and rebellion against authority.
The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai – Banned for its critique of British colonial influence in India and the resulting identity struggles
The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman – Magic, libraries, and alternate realities.
The Iron Heel by Jack London – Socialist themes and anti-capitalist narrative; banned for promoting radical political ideas.
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan – Language, sexual themes.
The Joy of Gay Sex by Charles Silverstein – LGBTQ+ themes, explicit content.
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling – Colonial themes, racial stereotypes.
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair – Exposé of corruption in the meatpacking industry; banned for its anti-capitalist themes.
The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson – Dark psychology, murder.
The Kingdom of Copper by S.A. Chakraborty – Magic, politics, and themes of rebellion.
The Kingdom of Little Wounds by Susann Cokal
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang – Romance between a woman with autism and an escort; challenged for explicit sexual content and themes of relationships.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini – Sexual assault, violence, and ethnic tension.
The Laramie Project by Moisés Kaufman – Banned for dramatizing the aftermath of the hate-motivated murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student.
The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine – Deception, social climbing, revenge.
The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper – Banned for depicting Native Americans and colonial conflict, seen as critical of early American colonialism.
The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse by Louise Erdrich – Banned for its exploration of Native American Catholic identity and themes of faith, gender, and cultural tension.
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin – Examines gender and societal norms; banned for political and social themes.
The Librarian of Basra by Jeanette Winter
The Lies of George W. Bush by David Corn – Critiques the Bush administration’s policies; banned for controversial political claims.
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch – Violence, betrayal, and dark fantasy themes.
The Lies We Told by Camilla Way – Family secrets, dark past, suspense.
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan – Themes of Greek mythology, rebellion, and magic.
The Likeness by Tana French – Identity, mystery, psychological elements.
The Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman – Racial stereotypes.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry – Simple story with deep messages on individuality and imagination; banned in some countries for philosophical themes.
The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie – Banned for its raw portrayal of life on a reservation, addressing alcoholism, domestic violence, and the ongoing effects of colonialism.
The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler – Corruption, crime, complex relationships.
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss – Environmental themes, seen as anti-industry.
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien
The Lost Boy by Dave Pelzer – Child abuse.
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson – Violence, dark social themes.
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold – Banned for its focus on a young girl’s murder and the family’s pursuit of justice and healing.
The Lovers by John Connolly – Contains explicit sexual content and themes of obsession; challenged for mature content.
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton – Banned for its portrayal of colonial New Zealand and the exploitation associated with the gold rush.
The Magicians by Lev Grossman – Themes of magic, rebellion, and explicit content.
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett – Crime, violence, and moral ambiguity.
The Man Who Killed Kennedy: The Case Against LBJ by Roger Stone – Challenges the official account of JFK’s assassination; banned for conspiracy theories.
The Man Who Lived Underground by Richard Wright – Banned for discussing systemic injustice and the dehumanizing effects of segregation and colonial mentalities.
The Manchurian Candidate by Richard Condon – Suggests political brainwashing and conspiracy; banned for its critical portrayal of Cold War politics.
The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury – Racial and anti-authority themes.
The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov – Satire of Soviet society; banned in the USSR for political content.
The Maze Runner by James Dashner – Violence, dystopian themes.
The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare – Anti-Semitism and issues of religious intolerance.
The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare – Criticized for its portrayal of gender dynamics and limited female voices.
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka – Alienation, family dynamics, and absurdity.
The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth – LGBTQ+ themes.
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins – Theft, colonialism, and mystery
The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare – LGBTQ+ themes, violence, and dark magic.
The Music of Dolphins by Karen Hesse – Child abuse, mental illness.
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco – Religious themes, heresy, murder.
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss – Magic, destiny, and the consequences of power.
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende – Themes of magic, death, and existential themes.
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander – Critique of the criminal justice system in the U.S.; banned for political themes on race and justice.
The New Pearl Harbor by David Ray Griffin – Questions the official account of 9/11; banned for promoting conspiracy theories.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – Magic, dark themes, and romantic relationships.
The Night Manager by John le Carré – Not purely fantasy, but has themes of espionage and manipulation akin to fantasy tropes.
The Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko – Magic, vampires, and supernatural forces.
The Night Watch by Terry Pratchett – Satire, magic, and rebellion.
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith – Cultural themes, gender.
The Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon & Shana Knizhnik – Though not a romance, has elements of romanticization in depicting RBG’s marriage; challenged for political and gender themes.
The Odyssey by Homer – Challenged for its portrayal of women as secondary to male heroes; often critiqued for traditional gender roles.
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway – Themes of isolation, man vs. nature, and perseverance.
The Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt – Analysis of authoritarian regimes; banned for political critique.
The Other Side of Silence by Urvashi Butalia – Banned for discussing the Partition of India and Pakistan, a result of British colonial division.
The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore – Banned for discussing race, poverty, and choices, contrasting the paths of two men with similar backgrounds.
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton – Violence, language, and gang themes.
The Paper Girls by Brian K. Vaughan – Time travel, magical realism, and dark themes.
The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg – Magic, love, and control.
The Pentagon Papers by Daniel Ellsberg – Leaked U.S. government documents revealing Vietnam War deceptions; banned by U.S. government.
The Pentagon Papers by Neil Sheehan – Exposes hidden truths about the Vietnam War; banned for revealing classified information.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky – Sexual content and language.
The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux – Themes of obsession, madness, and unrequited love.
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster – Political subtext, wordplay.
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde – Hedonism, moral decay.
The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh – Themes of child abuse, violence, and the role of art.
The Poet by Michael Connelly – Serial killer, media, and police investigation.
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver – Banned for its portrayal of missionary work and colonial attitudes in Africa, seen as critical of Western intervention
The Politics of Heroin by Alfred W. McCoy – Claims CIA involvement in drug trafficking; challenged for government criticism.
The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain – Adultery, murder, moral ambiguity
The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene – Critique of religion and political oppression; banned for religious and political themes.
The Power by Naomi Alderman – Gender dynamics, power, and societal disruption.
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle – Promotes mindfulness and self-awareness; banned by some religious communities for spiritual themes.
The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang – LGBTQ+ themes.
The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli – Seen as a critique of political ethics; banned historically for promoting “immoral” political strategies.
The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy – Sexual violence, language.
The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot – Romantic teen fiction with a lot of kissing and relationships; challenged for explicit romantic content.
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon – LGBTQ+ themes, dragons, and magic.
The Protocols of the Elders of Zion – Fabricated text alleged to expose a Jewish conspiracy; widely banned for promoting anti-Semitism.
The Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare – Themes of magic, family, and power.
The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen – Themes of power, magic, and government.
The Quiet Game by Greg Iles – Racial tensions, murder mystery.
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater – Magic, ghostly themes, and romance.
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane – Criticized for male-centered perspectives, marginalizing female narratives.
The Reversal by Michael Connelly – Legal manipulation, murder investigation.
The River Between by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o – Banned for depicting the cultural conflict brought by British colonialism in Kenya.
The Road by Cormac McCarthy – Post-apocalyptic themes, violence, and survival.
The Road to 9/11 by Peter Dale Scott – Suggests hidden motives behind 9/11 events; challenged for conspiracy theories.
The Road to Serfdom by Friedrich Hayek – Political themes of government control and individual freedom.
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion – Romance between two very different individuals, exploring themes of neurodiversity and relationships; challenged for mature content.
The Round House by Louise Erdrich – Banned for addressing sexual violence and the lack of legal protection for Native American women.
The Running Man by Stephen King – Violence, language.
The Sandman series by Neil Gaiman – Occult themes and graphic content.
The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie – Critique of religion and society; banned in many Islamic countries.
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne – Criticized for its portrayal of a woman punished for adultery; banned for “immoral” female representation.
The Scorch Trials by James Dashner – Violence, dark themes.
The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay – Romance between two damaged teens dealing with trauma and emotional healing; challenged for explicit content and sensitive themes.
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole by Sue Townsend – Sexual references, language.
The Secret Doctrine by Helena Blavatsky – Addresses esoteric knowledge and secret histories; challenged for promoting occult themes.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt – Murder, moral ambiguity, and elitism.
The Secret History of the American Empire by John Perkins – Explores alleged manipulation by corporations and governments; banned in some areas.
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton – Family secrets, murder, and mystery.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd – Racism, mother-daughter relationships, and spirituality.
The Secret River by Kate Grenville – Banned for discussing colonial violence and the displacement of Indigenous Australians.
The Secret Teachings of All Ages by Manly P. Hall – Discusses secret societies and ancient mysteries; banned in some areas for occult themes.
The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott – Magic, alchemy, and occult themes.
The Shack by William P. Young – Religious themes and non-traditional portrayals of God; banned for controversial theology.
The Shadow and Bone trilogy by Leigh Bardugo – Dark magic and violence.
The Shadow of the Sun by Ryszard Kapuściński – Banned in some African nations for portraying colonialism’s lasting effects on the continent.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón – Romance mixed with mystery and tragedy; challenged for themes of desire and sexuality.
The Shadow of What Was Lost by James Islington – Magic, destiny, and themes of rebellion.
The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller – Themes of power, dark magic, and romance
The Shining by Stephen King – Violence, supernatural themes.
The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein – Critique of “disaster capitalism” and political exploitation; challenged for its critique of global capitalism.
The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris – Graphic violence, psychological horror.
The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt – Violence, dark humor.
The Snowman by Jo Nesbø – Serial killings, graphic violence.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller – LGBTQ+ themes and romantic relationships in Greek mythology.
The Song of the Red Ruby
The Song of the Shiver by Christian Schoon – Dark fantasy, magic, and dystopian themes.
The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois – Explores African American identity and racial issues; banned in some places for challenging the status quo.
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman – Banned for discussing cross-cultural conflicts in medicine between Hmong traditions and Western approaches.
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John le Carré – Cold War espionage, betrayal.
The Story of O by Pauline Réage – Banned for explicit content, seen by some as promoting subjugation of women.
The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles – Banned for depicting the real-life story of a young Black girl facing racial hatred while integrating a public school in the South.
The Story of the Little Black Sambo
The Story of the Stone by Barry Hughart – Magic, myth, and dark themes in an ancient China setting.
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han – Teenage romance with themes of love, jealousy, and personal growth; challenged for sexual content.
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway – Criticized for limiting female characters’ roles and depicting traditional gender dynamics.
The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind – Violence, dark magic, and adult themes.
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo – Themes of bravery, fantasy, and violence.
The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith – Identity theft, murder.
The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare – Often challenged for themes of submission and gender roles that appear anti-feminist.
The Tao Te Ching by Laozi – Banned in some regions for challenging conventional religious ideas.
The Tempest by William Shakespeare – Challenged for its themes of colonization, power dynamics, and the subjugation of native characters.
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien – War violence, language.
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger – Themes of time travel, romance, and death.
The Trespasser by Tana French – Murder investigation, police procedural.
The Trial by Franz Kafka – Critique of bureaucracy and loss of individuality; banned for themes questioning authority and power structures.
The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu – Sexual content and bullying; banned for controversial topics.
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James – Psychological horror, ambiguity, and the supernatural.
The Turner Diaries by William Luther Pierce – Banned for inciting violence and presenting conspiracy theories about government control.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera – Sexual content, existential themes.
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead – Banned for its depiction of slavery and the journey toward freedom and justice.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren – Romance featuring a forced vacation with sexual themes; challenged for profanity and adult themes.
The Unquiet Grave by Jessica Warman – Ghosts, magic, and themes of loss.
The Unwomanly Face of War by Svetlana Alexievich – Oral history of Soviet women in WWII; banned in the USSR for its unvarnished perspective on war.
The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler – Sexuality, feminism, and controversial themes about women’s bodies.
The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice – Themes of immortality, vampires, and sexuality.
The Veldt by Ray Bradbury – Violent themes, anti-family.
The Walking Dead (series) by Robert Kirkman
The War of the Flowers by Tad Williams – Magic, power struggles, and dark forces.
The War on Democracy by John Pilger – Critiques U.S. interventions in Latin America; banned in some places for its political views.
The Wars by Timothy Findley – Graphic war content, sexuality.
The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi – Water scarcity and climate wars in a near-future U.S.
The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis – Banned for its depiction of racial hate crimes during the Civil Rights Movement.
The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory – A romance involving an interracial relationship with themes of class and sexual content; challenged for racial and sexual themes.
The Well of Loneliness
The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan – Magic, power dynamics, and prophecy.
The Whisper Man by Alex North – Serial killings, psychological horror.
The Widow by Fiona Barton – Media manipulation, murder investigation.
The Widow’s House by Carol Goodman – Gothic elements, murder, psychological tension.
The Wind Done Gone by Alice Randall – Rewrites Gone with the Wind from the perspective of an enslaved person; banned by some for copyright issues and alternative perspectives.
The Witchcraft of Salem Village by Shirley Jackson – Themes of witchcraft and the supernatural.
The Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski – Witchcraft, magic, and violence.
The Witches by Roald Dahl – Stereotypes of women.
The Witching Hour by Anne Rice – Themes of witchcraft, magic, and immortality.
The Witness by Nora Roberts – Witness protection, organized crime.
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware – Suspicion, isolation, psychological thriller.
The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn – Psychological manipulation, addiction.
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins – Themes of identity theft, asylum abuses.
The Women’s Room by Marilyn French – Banned by conservatives for its feminist themes but criticized by feminists for being perceived as anti-men.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum – Banned for depicting witches and promoting “ungodly” behavior.
The Wretched of the Earth by Frantz Fanon – Banned in colonial and post-colonial regions for advocating anti-colonial resistance and critiquing colonial oppression.
The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood – Dystopian future with environmental collapse.
The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood – Environmental themes, sexuality.
The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings – Themes of death, nature, and growing up.
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston – Sexual content and themes.
Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell – Disappearance, family drama, suspense.
There There by Tommy Orange – Banned for its honest depiction of urban Native American life, including issues like addiction, violence, and identity struggles.
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe – Critique of colonialism and its impact on Africa; banned in some schools for political themes.
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher – Suicide, bullying, and mental health.
This Book Is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewell – Banned for discussing the roots of hate and how to combat racism and prejudice actively.
This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki – Sexual themes and language.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee – Language and racial themes.
Tragedy and Hope by Carroll Quigley – Discusses a “network” of global influence; controversial for its take on hidden power structures.
Trail of Tears: The Rise and Fall of the Cherokee Nation by John Ehle – Banned for its portrayal of the brutal forced relocation of the Cherokee and the role of U.S. policies.
Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh – Drug use, violence, and societal alienation.
Tricks by Ellen Hopkins – Sexual content, drug use.
Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller – Banned for explicit content and criticized for objectifying portrayals of women.
Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer – Themes of violence, supernatural elements.
Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson – Sexual themes, violence.
Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan
Ulysses by James Joyce – Explicit language, sexuality.
Uncle Bobby’s Wedding by Sarah S Brannen
Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe – Racial themes and stereotypes.
Under the Volcano by Malcolm Lowry – Alcoholism, drug abuse.
Unsub by Meg Gardiner – Serial killer, investigative thriller
Until Friday Night by Abbi Glines – Romance involving trauma and high school relationships; challenged for mature content and themes of abuse.
Uprooted by Naomi Novik – Magic, forest spirits, and dark magic.
V for Vendetta by Alan Moore – Political rebellion, violence.
Wait for You by Jennifer L. Armentrout – Romance featuring themes of trauma and healing; challenged for explicit content.
Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett – Existential themes and the absurdity of human existence.
Waiting for the Barbarians by J.M. Coetzee – Banned for its allegorical critique of colonialism, imperialism, and the dehumanization of “the other.”
Walden by Henry David Thoreau – Advocates for individualism and simplicity; challenged for promoting anti-materialistic ideas.
War is a Racket by Smedley Butler – Criticizes the motives behind wars; banned in some places for challenging militaristic views.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart – Sexual content, trauma, and mental health; banned for disturbing themes
What My Mother Doesn’t Know by Sonya Sones – Sexual content, teen issues.
When My Brother Was an Aztec by Natalie Diaz – Banned for its poetic reflections on Native American identity, addiction, and family struggles.
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein – Dark humor, “rebellious” themes.
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak – Themes of rebellion, dark imagery.
Where’s Waldo? by Martin Handford – Alleged inappropriate illustrations.
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo – Banned for addressing racial sensitivity and justice, often deemed too confrontational on issues of race.
White Noise by Don DeLillo – Critique of consumerism and modern society; banned for political themes.
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr – Romantic themes involving fairies and magical creatures; banned for mature themes and sexual content.
Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan – Magic, religion, and rebellion.
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys – Banned for its critical view of British colonial attitudes and the psychological effects of colonization in the Caribbean.
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan – LGBTQ+ themes.
Witchmark by C.L. Polk – LGBTQ+ themes, magic, and societal struggles.
Women in Love by D.H. Lawrence – Banned for sexual content and seen by some as promoting unequal gender roles.
Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes – Feminist themes.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë – Challenged for depictions of abusive relationships, with concerns about normalizing violence toward women.
Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks
Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss – Seen as political allegory.
You by Caroline Kepnes – Stalking, obsession, manipulation
Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty by G. Neri – Banned for addressing gang violence and systemic prejudice toward young Black teens.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig – Explores philosophy and questioning societal norms; banned in some schools for complexity
Zhuan Falun
Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis – Critique of authority and societal norms; banned for anti-establishment themes.
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2040: A Handbook for the Future by Damon Gameau – Guide and warning about future climate.
2666 by Roberto Bolaño – Challenged for explicit content and criticism of societal corruption.
A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon – Challenged for promoting individuality and non-conformity.
A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon – Individuality.
A Birthday Cake for George Washington by Ramin Ganeshram – Banned for its portrayal of slavery.
A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss – LGBTQ+ themes.
A Dictionary of Maqiao by Han Shaogong – Critique of rural life and government policy in China.
A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway – War, love.
A Friend of the Earth by T.C. Boyle – Environmental activism and aging in climate chaos.
A Gift Upon the Shore by M.K. Wren – Women survive apocalyptic America.
A Great Wall: Six Presidents and China by Patrick Tyler – Banned for its political perspective on U.S.-China relations.
A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara – Banned for its promotion of activism, social justice themes, and political leanings.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara – Banned for explicit depictions of trauma and abuse.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara – Banned for its graphic depiction of trauma, abuse, and the struggles of a female character within a close-knit group of friends.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara – Trauma, resilience.
A Little Too Close to God by David Horovitz – Controversial for its exploration of the difficulties of life in Israel and its frank discussion of the Israeli psyche.
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness – Challenged for themes related to grief and loss.
A Passage to India by E.M. Forster – Colonialism, human connection.
A Separate Peace by John Knowles – Banned for violence, war themes, and complex friendships.
A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid – Banned for challenging colonial legacies and corruption.
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens – Revolution, justice.
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini – Banned for graphic depictions of violence and oppression.
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini – Women’s resilience, autonomy.
A Thousand Years of Good Prayers by Yiyun Li – Stories of Chinese citizens grappling with tradition and government influence.
A Wall in Jerusalem by Mark Braverman – Controversial for advocating for Palestinian rights and criticizing Israeli policies.
A Year in Tibet by Sun Shuyun – Depicts the lives of Tibetans, discussing cultural suppression.
After London by Richard Jefferies – Society reverts to a medieval state after a catastrophic event.
After the Flood by Kassandra Montag – Rising waters and survival.
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven – Banned for discussions of mental health and suicide.
Always Coming Home by Ursula K. Le Guin – Future humans coping with environmental balance.
Always Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A. by Luis J. Rodriguez – This autobiographical account of life in a Los Angeles gang was banned for its depiction of violence, drug use, and gang activity
An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser – Social freedom.
An Apartment on Uranus by Paul B. Preciado – Restricted for some LGBTQ themes and critiques of traditional identity that were controversial in conservative circles.
Anarchism and Other Essays by Emma Goldman – Banned for promoting anarchism.
Anchee Min’s Memoirs (e.g., Red Azalea) – Personal stories critical of the Cultural Revolution.
And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street by Dr. Seuss – Recently pulled for racial stereotypes.
Andrews McMeel’s First Encyclopedia of Our World – Challenged for discussions on evolution and the Big Bang theory
Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt, banned for language and themes of poverty.
Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison – Challenged for sexual content and language.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery – Banned for portraying a strong-willed orphan girl who defies gender expectations.
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer – Ecological mystery in an evolving natural zone.
As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner – Family, existentialism.
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand – Capitalism, individualism.
Atonement by Ian McEwan – Challenged for its depiction of a young girl’s misunderstanding of adult relationships and the consequences for her family.
Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson – Planetary colonization and environmental limits.
Aztecs by Gary Jennings – Banned for graphic violence and sexuality.
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie – Semi-autobiographical story of cultural repression during the Cultural Revolution.
Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook & Ryan Estrada – A graphic novel based on true events, it explores censorship, political dissent, and activism in South Korea during the 1980s. Students secretly read banned books amid government crackdowns.
Banned works of Liu Xiaobo – The writings of Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo, an outspoken critic of the Chinese government, are all banned.
Before We Were Strangers by Renée Carlino – Challenged for its romantic themes and exploration of women’s emotions and experiences in a second-chance love story.
Beijing Coma by Ma Jian – Banned for its focus on the Tiananmen Square massacre and its aftermath
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett – Art, human connection.
Benny’s Pennies by Pat Brisson – Challenged for introducing concepts of trade and economy to young readers.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates – Race, personal reflection.
Beyond Magenta by Susan Kuklin – Stories of transgender teens.
Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin – Challenged for its portrayal of transgender issues and sexual content.
Big River, Big Sea by Lung Ying-tai – History of China’s civil war and political trauma, challenging official narratives.
Bird Box by Josh Malerman – Dystopian horror in an unknown apocalypse.
Bitter Fruit by Stephen Schlesinger – Banned for criticizing U.S. intervention in Latin America.
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell – Animal rights.
Black Boy by Richard Wright – Race, personal freedom.
Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin – Challenged for racial themes and controversial social content.
Blackfish City by Sam J. Miller – An Arctic city coping with climate refugees.
Blaming the Victims: Spurious Scholarship and the Palestinian Question edited by Edward Said and Christopher Hitchens – Limited for its strong critique of Zionism and Israeli policies.
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya – Cultural freedom.
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya – Spiritual themes.
Bless the Beasts and Children by Glendon Swarthout – Youth freedom.
Blindness by José Saramago – Banned in some countries for themes seen as subversive.
Blood Letters: The Untold Story of Lin Zhao, a Martyr in Mao’s China by Lian Xi – Banned for telling the story of a dissident poet executed during Mao’s regime.
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy – Violence, human nature.
Blood of Brothers by Stephen Kinzer – Banned for examining U.S. involvement in Nicaragua.
Bone Series by Jeff Smith – Banned for mature themes, violence, and mild language.
Borderlife by Dorit Rabinyan – Removed from the high school curriculum for depicting a romance between a Jewish Israeli woman and a Palestinian man, deemed controversial for “threatening Jewish identity.”
Borne by Jeff VanderMeer – Genetic engineering and environmental degradation.
Bowl of Heaven by Gregory Benford – Space exploration amidst climate fears.
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown – Banned in some schools for its account of Native American history and criticism of U.S. policies
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown – Indigenous freedom.
Burying Mao by Richard Baum – Analysis of China’s economic reform, critical of Communist Party leadership.
California by Edan Lepucki – Environmental collapse and survival in a remote settlement.
Caribbean by James A. Michener – Historical cycles of ecological impact.
Censored Voices by Avraham Shapira – Based on recordings of Israeli soldiers after the Six-Day War, it faced controversy for challenging the heroism of the war narrative.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl – Stereotyping.
China in Ten Words by Yu Hua – Collection of essays critical of contemporary Chinese society and politics.
China Shakes the World by James Kynge – Discusses China’s economic impact, with critical insights on growth and inequality.
China’s Crony Capitalism by Minxin Pei – Examination of corruption within China’s political system.
China’s Economy: What Everyone Needs to Know by Arthur R. Kroeber – Critical analysis of China’s economic policies.
China’s Godfather: Deng Xiaoping and the Chinese Secret Police by Yao Ming-le – Banned for its portrayal of Deng Xiaoping’s rise to power.
China’s Great Wall of Debt by Dinny McMahon – Analysis of China’s economic challenges, critical of government policies.
China’s New Red Guards by Jude Blanchette – Analysis of nationalist youth movements and their impact on modern China.
China’s Republic by Diana Lary – History of the Republic of China, dealing with contentious political topics.
China’s Second Continent by Howard W. French – Discussion of Chinese expansion in Africa, with sensitive political implications.
Chinese Lessons by John Pomfret – Memoir discussing sensitive cultural and political topics in China.
Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel García Márquez – Banned for its commentary on violence and social norms.
Circle, Square, Moose by Kelly Bingham – Banned for perceived “disruptive humor.”
Clade by James Bradley – Multi-generational climate change impact.
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin – Banned for promoting collective bargaining.
Climate Changed by Philippe Squarzoni – Graphic novel on climate science.
Confessions of an Economic Hitman by John Perkins – Banned for exposing economic exploitation.m
Countdown by Alan Weisman – Population control to preserve Earth.
Country Driving: A Journey Through China from Farm to Factory by Peter Hessler – Banned for its analysis of social changes in rural China.
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky – Morality, free will.
Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton – Race, social justice.
Darkness at Noon by Arthur Koestler – Environmental desolation and psychological toll.
Days of Rage by Mark Kurlansky – Banned for exploring Latin American social movements.
Death of a Red Heroine by Qiu Xiaolong – Mystery novel critical of corruption in modern China.
Demian by Hermann Hesse – Spiritual freedom, self-discovery.
Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China by Ezra Vogel – Certain sections are censored due to political sensitivity.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick – Human identity.
Dragon Rising by Jasper Becker – Analysis of China’s rising power and internal challenges, critical of the Party’s control.
Dream of Ding Village by Yan Lianke – Banned for its portrayal of corruption and disease during an AIDS epidemic in rural China.
Dream of the Red Chamber by Cao Xueqin – Censored in parts for “immorality” during earlier periods.
Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi – Sequel on climate-driven dystopia.
Dry by Neal Shusterman – Water crisis and survival in California
Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal – Challenged for promoting perspective-taking and open-mindedness.
Dust by Hugh Howey – Survival in silos post-apocalypse.
Ecotopia by Ernest Callenbach – Ideal society focused on ecological principles.
El Señor Presidente by Miguel Ángel Asturias – Banned for its critique of authoritarian governments.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman – A socially awkward woman finds her life upended by a connection with a stranger.
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng – The disappearance and death of a young girl in a Chinese-American family expose racial and cultural tensions.
Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers – Diverse family structures.
Faces and Masks by Eduardo Galeano – Banned for discussing Latin American political issues.
Factory Girls by Leslie T. Chang – Story of female factory workers, exposing harsh labor conditions.
Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing China by Leslie T. Chang – Banned for its portrayal of migrant workers and labor conditions in China.
Families, Families, Families! by Suzanne Lang – Banned for representing diverse family types.
Far North by Marcel Theroux – Climate change in a Siberian setting.
Ficciones by Jorge Luis Borges – Criticized for Borges’ critique of oppressive regimes.
Flamer by Mike Curato – LGBTQ+ identity, bullying, and self-acceptance.
Forbidden City by William Bell – Banned for portraying the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.
Forgotten Ally by Rana Mitter – History of China’s role in WWII, presenting perspectives that challenge Chinese narratives.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley – Creation, autonomy.
FreakAngels by Warren Ellis – Mutants survive environmental devastation in London.
Frog by Mo Yan – Explores themes of forced abortion and one-child policy, sensitive topics in China.
Future Home of the Living God by Louise Erdrich – Genetic mutation and environmental change.
Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon by Jorge Amado – Banned for themes of sexuality and social justice.
Gao Xingjian’s Works – Gao Xingjian, the Nobel laureate in literature, has had multiple works banned, including Soul Mountain and One Man’s Bible, for their critical view on the government.
Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe – Graphic novel exploring gender identity and LGBTQ+ themes.
Gender Trouble by Judith Butler – Banned for its academic approach to gender identity and its challenge to traditional views on sexuality and gender roles.
Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier – Cultural representation.
Give a Boy a Gun by Todd Strasser – This book, written as a fictional account based on research and interviews, dives into school shootings and bullying. It has been banned due to graphic content and its focus on complex issues like revenge and despair among students.
Glory Season by David Brin – Future society shaped by environmental adaptation.
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee – Banned for its exploration of race and the portrayal of female characters grappling with cultural norms.
Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin – Race, religion, and identity.
Gold Fame Citrus by Claire Vaye Watkins – Drought-ridden future in the American Southwest.
Goliath: Life and Loathing in Greater Israel by Max Blumenthal – Restricted due to its strong critique of Israeli policies toward Palestinians.
Green Earth by Kim Stanley Robinson – Climate change on a fictionalized Earth.
Grimm’s Fairy Tales by Brothers Grimm – Dark themes.
Gun Island by Amitav Ghosh – Migration and environmental upheaval.
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – Civil war, autonomy.
Half-Earth by E.O. Wilson – Plan for preserving biodiversity amidst crisis.
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman - LGBTQ+ theme
Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman – LGBTQ+ representation.
Hebron Journal: Stories of Nonviolent Peacemaking by Arthur G. Gish – Criticized for its portrayal of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and support for Palestinian nonviolent resistance.
Hijos de los días by Eduardo Galeano – Criticized for its anti-capitalist stance.
His Dark Materials Series by Philip Pullman – Challenged for anti-religious content and exploration of spirituality.
History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides – Banned for criticism of war.
Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell – Banned for anti-totalitarian themes.
Hopscotch by Julio Cortázar – Banned for complex narrative and perceived obscenity.
How China’s Leaders Think by Robert Lawrence Kuhn – Insights on Chinese leaders’ perspectives, banned for being too revealing.
Human Acts by Han Kang – This powerful story recounting the Gwangju Uprising faced pushback due to its graphic portrayal of violence and its critical view of government actions during a time of political unrest in South Korea.
I Am China by Xiaolu Guo – Banned for its story about a young couple’s struggle with political censorship.
I Am Enough by Grace Byers – Challenged for themes of self-confidence and affirmation.
I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai – Challenged for its political content and the portrayal of women’s education rights in Afghanistan.
I Am Rosa Parks by Brad Meltzer – Banned in some areas for its depiction of racism and civil rights struggles.
I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor’s Journey by Izzeldin Abuelaish – Limited in educational settings due to its personal critique of Israeli-Palestinian violence.
I, Rigoberta Menchú by Rigoberta Menchú – Banned for discussing Indigenous rights and Guatemalan politics.
Ice by Anna Kavan – Surreal climate apocalypse.
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace - Sexual content
If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin – Injustice, love.
If I Ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss – Recently pulled from publication for outdated racial depictions.
If I Stay by Gayle Forman – Banned for sexual themes and discussions of life and death.
Imaginary Homelands by Salman Rushdie – Banned for its criticism of nationalism and colonialism.
In Dubious Battle by John Steinbeck – Banned for depicting labor movements.
In Our Mothers’ House by Patricia Polacco – LGBTQ+ families.
In Patagonia by Bruce Chatwin – Banned in Argentina for its portrayal of Patagonia’s history and social issues.
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado – LGBTQ+ relationships and abuse.
In the Drift by Michael Swanwick – Nuclear disaster and mutated survivors.
In the Land of Israel by Amos Oz – Although widely read, some have criticized its critical perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak – Challenged for nudity and themes considered inappropriate for children.
In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez – Political freedom, resistance.
Infinite Detail by Tim Maughan – Collapse of the internet and global chaos.
Inside China’s Legal System by Chang Wang – Examination of China’s legal system and human rights issues.
Into the Forest by Jean Hegland – Sisters survive post-collapse in isolated forest.
Introducing Teddy by Jess Walton – Banned for exploring gender identity and acceptance.
Introducing the Honorable Phryne Fisher by Kerry Greenwood – Challenged for being “too progressive” for young readers.
Ishmael by Daniel Quinn – Philosophical exploration of human impact on Earth.
Island by Aldous Huxley – Utopian freedom.
It’s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr – Celebrating diversity.
It’s So Amazing! by Robie H. Harris – Banned for its discussion of reproduction, puberty, and sexual health.
Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn by Shannon Hale - transform into something they are obviously not, that Kitty is referred to with the pronoun "they", & sexually explicit
Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo – War, personal autonomy.
Julián at the Wedding by Jessica Love – Banned for LGBTQ+ themes in a story of friendship and acceptance.
Julian Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love – Banned for depicting a young boy who dreams of dressing as a mermaid.
Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love – Gender identity and expression.
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-joo – Gender discrimination, societal oppression, feminist themes. *not on ban book it did lead to controversy and heated debate*
King & King by Linda de Haan and Stern Nijland – LGBTQ+ marriage.
La Casa Verde by Mario Vargas Llosa – Banned for perceived obscenity and criticism of society.
Land of Big Numbers by Te-Ping Chen – Short stories highlighting societal pressures and censorship in China.
Lenin’s Kisses by Yan Lianke – Banned for its satirical critique of communist idealism and rural life.
Let it be Morning by Sayed Kashua – Criticized for its portrayal of an Arab-Israeli family in a Jewish society and its exploration of alienation.
Libra by Don DeLillo – Banned for themes of government corruption.
Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out by Mo Yan – Satirical novel critical of Chinese society under Communist rule.
Life and Death in Shanghai by Nien Cheng – Personal story exposing the Cultural Revolution’s brutality and repression.
Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni – Racial integration metaphor.
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder – Banned for racial stereotypes and outdated language.
Little Red Riding Hood – Banned in some places for including alcohol in the story.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott – Four sisters coming of age during the Civil War in America.
Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez – Love, personal freedom.
Love in the Time of Climate Change by Brian Adams – Satire on romance in eco-apocalypse.
Love, Hate & Other Filters by Samira Ahmed – Islamophobia, identity.
Lust, Caution by Eileen Chang – Banned due to sexual content and its political themes set in WWII.
Mama Zooms by Jane Cowen-Fletcher – Challenged for its focus on disability and diverse family dynamics.
Mao: The Unknown Story by Jung Chang and Jon Halliday – Suppressed for exposing controversial aspects of Mao’s leadership.
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes – Challenged for themes around disability and end-of-life choices.
Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler – Banned in some places due to its association with hate speech and fascism.
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden – Cultural tradition, freedom.
Memory of Water by Emmi Itäranta – Water scarcity in a dystopian Europe.
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides – Banned for its portrayal of gender identity and a complex narrative exploring intersex identity.
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs – A girl with mysterious powers uncovers secrets about a strange orphanage.
Mixed: A Colorful Story by Arree Chung – Challenged for promoting diversity and messages against segregation.
Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice – Indigenous community’s survival.
Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa – Limited in distribution for its portrayal of Palestinian suffering and critique of Israeli policies.
Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christine Baldacchino – Banned for addressing gender expression.
Mother Courage by Bertolt Brecht – Banned for anti-war themes.
My Big Barefoot Book of Wonderful Words by Sophie Fatus – Challenged for including LGBTQ+ families.
My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete – Challenged for depicting autism and differences in behavior.
My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier – War and violence.
My Michael by Amos Oz – Criticized by some for its complex portrayal of identity and psychological struggles in Israeli society.
My Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodavis – Nontraditional gender roles.
My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult – Banned for themes around illness and medical ethics.
My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult – Challenged for its portrayal of a young girl’s legal fight to stop being a donor for her sister’s treatment.
Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs – Banned for obscenity, including graphic depictions of drug use and sexuality.
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro – Personal autonomy, ethics.
New York Collapse by Alex Irvine – Guide to surviving urban apocalypses.
Night by Elie Wiesel – Holocaust, human resilience.
No Logo by Naomi Klein – Banned for anti-globalization.
No One Writes to the Colonel by Gabriel García Márquez – Banned for themes of poverty and disenfranchisement.
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen – Banned for challenging the role of women in society through a young woman’s exploration of Gothic fiction and relationships.
Not All Princesses Dress in Pink by Jane Yolen – Banned for challenging traditional gender roles.
Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima – Challenged for themes of identity and uniqueness.
Olive’s Ocean by Kevin Henkes – Mature themes.
On China by Henry Kissinger – Discusses China’s diplomatic strategies, viewed as controversial for sensitive historical views.
On Such a Full Sea by Chang-Rae Lee – Future America ravaged by environmental change.
On the Road by Jack Kerouac – Banned for promoting “unconventional lifestyles.”
One Child: The Story of China’s Most Radical Experiment by Mei Fong – Banned for its critical look at China’s one-child policy.
One Dad, Two Dads, Brown Dad, Blue Dad by Johnny Valentine – LGBTQ+ themes, depicting same-sex parents.
One Day of Life by Manlio Argueta – Banned for depicting political repression in El Salvador.
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez – Criticized for challenging political and societal norms.
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez – Historical memory.
One Man’s Bible by Gao Xingjian – Themes of freedom and individuality, critical of the Cultural Revolution.
Open Veins of Latin America by Eduardo Galeano – Banned for its critique of colonialism and economic exploitation.
Operation Massacre by Rodolfo Walsh – Banned in Argentina for exposing state-sponsored killings.
Oracle Bones by Peter Hessler – Banned for its critical portrayal of China’s modernization.
Oracle Bones by Peter Hessler – Examination of China’s rapid change, discussing censorship and cultural history.
Ordinary People by Judith Guest – Banned for themes of family dysfunction and mental health.
Orlando by Virginia Woolf – Gender identity, freedom.
Our Twisted Hero by Yi Mun-yol – This novel, a reflection on dictatorship and power dynamics, was banned for its perceived political undertones critiquing authority and government figures during certain historical periods.
Out of China: How the Chinese Ended the Era of Western Domination by Robert Bickers – Banned for its examination of China’s nationalist policies.
Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Pérez – Interracial romance, racism.
Out of Mao’s Shadow by Philip P. Pan – Stories of individuals resisting oppression in post-Mao China.
Out of Mao’s Shadow: The Struggle for the Soul of a New China by Philip Pan – Banned for detailing individuals who fought for reform and justice in China.
Out of the Night by Jan Valtin – Banned for its portrayal of revolutionary movements.
P is for Palestine by Golbarg Bashi – Challenged for perceived political views and historical content.
Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid by Jimmy Carter – Restricted from certain academic settings for its critical views on Israeli policies in Palestinian territories.
Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo – Banned for its portrayal of corruption and supernatural themes.
People’s Republic of Amnesia: Tiananmen Revisited by Louisa Lim – Banned for its exploration of how the Tiananmen Square massacre is remembered (or not) in China.
Peppa Pig by Neville Astley – Banned in some countries for cultural reasons and reinforcing stereotypes.
Perfectly Normal by Robie H. Harris – Banned for content about puberty, sexuality, and body changes.
Perón by Tomás Eloy Martínez – Banned in Argentina for its portrayal of former president Juan Perón.
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi – Banned or challenged in schools for its critical perspective on political repression in Iran.
Please Look After Mom by Shin Kyung-sook – Known for its themes of family, duty, and sacrifice, this novel faced scrutiny for cultural depictions that some viewed as a critique of traditional Korean values.
Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders – Challenged for its LGBTQ+ themes and history of gay rights.
Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack – LGBTQ+ fairytale.
Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodavis – Banned for themes of gender expression and breaking traditional gender roles.
Prisoner of the State by Zhao Ziyang – Memoir by a former Chinese premier on his opposition to the Tiananmen Square crackdown.
Prisoner of the State: The Secret Journal of Premier Zhao Ziyang – Banned due to its perspective on the Tiananmen Square protests by a former Chinese leader.
Rage by Stephen King (originally under the pseudonym Richard Bachman) – This novel follows a disturbed high school student who holds his classmates hostage. Due to its connections to real-life school violence, King let it go out of print, citing concerns about its influence.
Rebellion in the Backlands by Euclides da Cunha – Banned for its criticism of Brazilian elites.
Red Azalea by Anchee Min – Memoir detailing life during the Cultural Revolution, including repression and propaganda.
Red China Blues: My Long March from Mao to Now by Jan Wong – Banned for its critical perspective on life in communist China.
Red Star Over China by Edgar Snow – Originally banned for discussing sensitive political topics related to Mao.
Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall – Metaphor for identity.
Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party by Ying Chang Compestine – Banned for its story of a young girl’s experience during the Cultural Revolution.
Revolutionary Suicide by Huey P. Newton – Banned for promoting revolutionary ideas.
Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban – Post-apocalyptic society in England
Riding Freedom by Pam Muñoz Ryan – Gender identity, women’s rights.
River Town by Peter Hessler – Memoir about teaching in rural China, revealing local and national complexities.
Room by Emma Donoghue – Banned for its depiction of a female protagonist and her child living in captivity, with graphic descriptions of abuse.
Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky – Challenged for its guide on grassroots organizing and perceived promotion of radical change.
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan – Loss and resilience.
Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay – Challenged for its Holocaust content and historical trauma.
Savages by Don Winslow – Banned for depicting drug cartels and violence.
Schindler’s Ark by Thomas Keneally, banned in some regions for graphic depictions of the Holocaust.
Serve the People! by Yan Lianke – Banned for its satirical criticism of the Cultural Revolution.
Seven Madmen by Roberto Arlt – Banned for exploring revolution and anarchy.
Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg – Introduction to sex education.
Shanghai Baby by Wei Hui – Banned for its depictions of sexual content, individualism, and Western influences.
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn – Banned for its exploration of a female journalist’s struggle with mental illness and family trauma.
Shooter by Walter Dean Myers – This novel, presented in interview format, explores the psyche of a shooter and the factors that lead to tragedy. Schools have challenged it due to its unsettling depiction of violence and psychological turmoil among teens.
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse – Spiritual journey, self-discovery.
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson – Challenged by corporations and government bodies for its environmental activism and critique of pesticide use.
Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner – Challenged for cultural stereotyping and language.
Snow White – Challenged in some places for themes of violence, especially in “darker” versions of the story.
Something Happened in Our Town by Marianne Celano – Banned for discussing racial justice and police violence.
Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball by Vicki Churchill – Challenged for perceived “negative messaging.”
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison – Cultural and personal identity.
Soul Mountain by Gao Xingjian – Personal exploration and critique of Chinese society, repression, and identity.
Sparkle Boy by Leslea Newman – Banned for addressing gender fluidity and acceptance of nontraditional gender expression
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi, Jason Reynolds – Race, antiracism.
Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse – Existentialism, self-identity.
Stiff by Mary Roach – Banned for its humor and exploration of cadavers and death, viewed as inappropriate for women and too irreverent.
Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio by Pu Songling – Stories of supernatural events, previously banned for promoting superstitions.
Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola – Magic.
Sub Terra by Baldomero Lillo – Banned for exposing poor labor conditions in Chilean mines.
The 6th Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert – Non-fiction on biodiversity loss.
The Accusation by Bandi – Written by an anonymous North Korean writer, this collection of stories critiques the North Korean regime. Although not officially banned in South Korea, the book is restricted in North Korea due to its dissident content.
The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future by Dav Pilkey – Banned for racially insensitive illustrations.
The Age of Reason by Jean-Paul Sartre – Banned for existential and anti-authoritarian themes.
The Aleph by Jorge Luis Borges – Criticized by regimes for Borges’ opposition to totalitarianism.
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn – Banned for its exploration of female spies during WWI and WWII, revealing trauma, betrayal, and resilience.
The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz by Mordecai Richler – Challenged for language, sexual content, and portrayal of marginalized groups.
The Art of Political Murder by Francisco Goldman – Banned for exposing corruption in Guatemala.
The Assault by Harry Mulisch – Banned for depicting WWII resistance.
The Autobiography of Fidel Castro by Norberto Fuentes – Banned for its portrayal of the Cuban leader.
The Awakening by Kate Chopin – Banned for its feminist themes and the protagonist’s desire for sexual independence and freedom from societal expectations.
The Awakening by Kate Chopin – Women’s independence, societal norms.
The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak – Banned for addressing taboo subjects.
The Black Book of Colors by Menena Cottin – Challenged for being a unique, tactile book designed for visually impaired children.
The Black Jacobins by C.L.R. James – Banned for discussing slave uprisings and colonial resistance.
The Black Lagoon Series by Mike Thaler – Challenged for “scary” themes and illustrations deemed too intense.
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison – Racism, identity.
The Boat Rocker by Ha Jin – Censorship, authoritarianism, media corruption.
The Book of Sand by Jorge Luis Borges – Criticized for Borges’ anti-totalitarian themes.
The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak – Banned for perceived “encouragement of silliness.”
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne – Holocaust.
The Boy with Pink Hair by Perez Hilton – Banned for challenging traditional gender norms.
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz – Identity, dictatorship.
The Burning Plain by Juan Rulfo – Banned for themes of poverty and violence.
The Calcutta Chromosome by Amitav Ghosh – Genetic science and environmental themes.
The Call of the Wild by Jack London – Survival, animal freedom.
The Carbon Diaries by Saci Lloyd – Teen’s journal in a carbon-rationed world.
The Children of Men by P.D. James – Infertility and societal collapse.
The Children’s Hospital by Chris Adrian – Floating hospital after a biblical flood.
The China Dream by Ma Jian – Satire on China’s modernization and conformity under government control.
The Chinese in All of Us by Richard Rodriguez – Examines identity and cultural integration, viewed as subversive in China.
The Collapse by Jared Diamond – Analysis of past societies’ environmental collapse.
The Collapse of China by Gordon Chang – Economic predictions questioning the stability of China’s system.
The Collapse of Western Civilization by Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway – Sci-fi look at climate change’s future impact.
The Colossus of Maroussi by Henry Miller – Banned briefly in Israel for perceived anti-Semitic comments.
The Coming Collapse of China by Gordon Chang – Predicts China’s economic collapse, controversial in Chinese markets.
The Coming Plague by Laurie Garrett – Non-fiction on pandemics and ecosystems.
The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels – Banned in some countries for its promotion of revolutionary socialist ideas.
The Conquest of Bread by Peter Kropotkin – Banned for promoting anarchism.
The Corpse Walker by Liao Yiwu – Interviews with marginalized individuals, showing the effects of repression and poverty.
The Corpse Walker: Real Life Stories, China from the Bottom Up by Liao Yiwu – Banned for its focus on marginalized people in China.
The Cultural Revolution by Frank Dikötter – Historical account of the Cultural Revolution, critical of Mao’s leadership.
The Curious Garden by Peter Brown – Banned for promoting environmental stewardship.
The Dark Side of Paradise by Mario Vargas Llosa – Banned for exploring issues of race and identity.
The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham – Ecological disaster and plant invasion.
The Death of Artemio Cruz by Carlos Fuentes – Banned for anti-authoritarian themes.
The Death of Grass by John Christopher – Collapse due to crop blight.
The Devil’s Highway by Luis Alberto Urrea – Banned for discussing migration.
The Dictator’s Handbook by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and
The Diviners by Margaret Laurence – Challenged for sexual content, language, and religious criticism.
The Dog Stars by Peter Heller – Pandemic and environmental collapse.
The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King – Pirate story with ecological themes.
The Eden Paradox by Barry Kirwan – Alien invasion and environmental themes.
The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder – Banned for its depiction of occult practices and Egyptian mythology.
The End of Cheap China by Shaun Rein – Challenges the myth of low-cost production in China, critical of economic shifts.
The End of Nature by Bill McKibben – Non-fiction on humanity’s effect on nature.
The End of the Ocean by Maja Lunde – Water scarcity and climate refugees.
The End We Start From by Megan Hunter – Rising waters and new motherhood.
The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine by Ilan Pappe – Restricted in some settings for its argument that the expulsion of Palestinians in 1948 was an intentional act.
The Execution of Mayor Yin by Chen Ruoxi – Short stories revealing brutal aspects of the Cultural Revolution.
The Family Book by Todd Parr – Diverse family structures.
The Fat Years by Chan Koonchung – Banned for its dystopian portrayal of a near-future China where the government controls information.
The Feast of the Goat by Mario Vargas Llosa – Banned for criticism of dictatorship in Latin America.
The Female Eunuch by Germaine Greer – Banned for its radical feminist views on women’s sexuality and gender roles in society.
The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan – Banned for its critique of traditional gender roles and domesticity, and its portrayal of women as oppressed by society.
The Gate of Heavenly Peace by Jonathan Spence – History of China’s revolutions, discussing controversial figures and events.
The General’s Son: Journey of an Israeli in Palestine by Miko Peled – Controversial for its criticism of Israeli policies and support for Palestinian rights, limited in some settings.
The Girl in the Spider’s Web by David Lagercrantz – Banned for its portrayal of Lisbeth Salander, a hacker and feminist avenger uncovering corruption.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins – Challenged for its portrayal of a troubled woman and its themes of addiction, obsession, and betrayal.
The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson – Challenged for its violence and the strong, complex female protagonist involved in solving crimes.
The Girl Who Stole My Holocaust by Noam Chayut – Controversial for its discussion of an Israeli soldier’s changing views on the occupation.
The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey – Challenged for its portrayal of a young girl with zombie-like abilities, facing complex ethical dilemmas.
The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré – Banned for its portrayal of female empowerment and the fight against gender and societal norms in Nigeria.
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy – Banned for criticizing social inequality.
The Golden Cage by Shirin Ebadi – Banned for criticizing authoritarianism and promoting human rights.
The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing – Banned for its portrayal of women’s sexual liberation and psychological complexity in a patriarchal society.
The Good Women of China by Xinran – Accounts of women’s experiences and suffering, challenging gender norms.
The Gospel According to Jesus Christ by José Saramago – Banned for perceived blasphemous content.
The Gospel in Solentiname by Ernesto Cardenal – Banned for its revolutionary Christian messages.
The Great Big Book of Families by Mary Hoffman – Banned for its portrayal of diverse family structures.
The Great Famine by Yang Jisheng – Investigation of China’s famine during the Great Leap Forward, critical of Mao’s policies.
The Great Wall of Confinement: The Chinese Prison Camp Through Contemporary Fiction and Reportage by Philip F. Williams – Banned for detailing China’s prison system.
The Green New Deal by Jeremy Rifkin – Blueprint for addressing climate collapse.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett – Banned for its portrayal of African American women working as maids, with themes of race, class, and social dynamics.
The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom – Challenged for its religious themes and Holocaust content
The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron – Banned for language, specifically use of anatomically correct terms.
The House of Bernarda Alba by Federico Garcia Lorca – Banned for challenging societal norms.
The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton – Challenged for its portrayal of a young woman’s social and sexual independence, and the consequences of defying norms.
The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende – Banned for political themes and supernatural elements.
The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen by Thelma Godin – Banned for discussing urban culture and for a focus on diverse communities.
The Ice People by Maggie Gee – Global cooling scenario and survival.
The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin – Banned for exploring themes of death, identity, and gender fluidity, and a female character’s journey through these issues.
The Invention of Morel by Adolfo Bioy Casares – Challenged for philosophical themes.
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig – Banned for themes of bullying, inclusion, and empathy.
The Judge and the General by Elizabeth Farnsworth – Banned for discussing Chilean dictatorship.
The King of Trees by Ah Cheng – Allegorical stories criticizing China’s political ideologies.
The Kingdom of Olives and Ash edited by Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman – Restricted in some settings for its essays by international authors critical of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank.
The Kingdom of this World by Alejo Carpentier – Banned for examining colonialism.
The Land of Green Plums by Herta Müller – Banned for addressing authoritarianism.
The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters – Policeman’s story before asteroid apocalypse.
The Last Town on Earth by Thomas Mullen – Isolation during a pandemic in 1918.
The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes – Banned historically for criticizing social hypocrisy.
The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo – Challenged for its focus on romance and fate.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis – Religious undertones.
The Little Red Hen by Paul Galdone – Challenged in some places for perceived socialist themes.
The Little School by Alicia Partnoy – Banned for depicting human rights abuses during Argentina’s “Dirty War.”
The Long March by Sun Shuyun – History of the Long March, challenging the Chinese government’s heroic narrative.
The MaddAddam Trilogy by Margaret Atwood – Series on genetic experiments gone wrong.
The Magic School Bus Series by Joanna Cole – Challenged for references to evolution and scientific content.
The Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne – Adventure and mythology.
The Man Who Loved China by Simon Winchester – Biography of scientist Joseph Needham, challenging China’s historical narrative.
The Man Who Stayed Behind by Sidney Rittenberg and Amanda Bennett – Banned for recounting a Westerner’s experience in China, including his imprisonment during Mao’s rule.
The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson – Policy and science in addressing climate change.
The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy – LGBTQ+ family.
The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth – Banned for its depiction of a young girl’s coming-out story and the conversion therapy she faces.
The Motorcycle Diaries by Che Guevara – Banned in conservative areas for revolutionary content.
The Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto “Che” Guevara – Banned for promoting revolutionary ideas.
The Nakba: The Palestinian Catastrophe of 1948 by Nur Masalha – Limited in educational settings due to its focus on Palestinian history and critique of Israeli actions in 1948.
The Night Watch by Sarah Waters – Challenged for its portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters and relationships between women during WWII.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah – Two sisters struggle with the horrors of WWII in Nazi-occupied France.
The Old Gringo by Carlos Fuentes – Banned for themes of colonialism.
The Orphan’s Tale by Pam Jenoff – Banned for its portrayal of two strong women overcoming adversity during WWII, confronting issues of identity and survival.
The Other Side of the Coin by A.B. Yehoshua – Criticized for discussing the complexities of Israeli identity and the Arab-Israeli conflict.
The Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler – Sequel exploring apocalyptic America.
The Party by Richard McGregor – Examination of the Chinese Communist Party’s power and inner workings.
The Passion by Jeanette Winterson – Banned for its portrayal of a woman’s exploration of love and sexuality outside of traditional norms.
The People’s Republic of Amnesia by Louisa Lim – Analysis of the government’s suppression of Tiananmen Square’s history.
The Peruvian Notebooks by Mario Vargas Llosa – Banned for criticism of Peruvian political systems.
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster – Challenged for featuring a strong young female character with magical powers and out-of-the-box thinking.
The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene – Banned for critical views on religion.
The Power by Naomi Alderman – A world in which women develop the power to generate electricity, changing the balance of power.
The Precipice by Toby Ord – Threats to humanity, including climate change.
The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli – Banned historically in some Latin American countries for political content.
The Private Life of Chairman Mao by Li Zhisui – Banned for revealing personal details about Mao Zedong and his rule.
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran – Philosophy, personal freedom.
The Question of Palestine by Edward Said – Often excluded from curricula for its critical examination of Zionism and Palestinian rights.
The Rabbit’s Wedding by Garth Williams – Banned for its perceived allusion to interracial marriage.
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister – Socialist implications.
The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang – Graphic depiction of Japanese atrocities, banned for its sensitive historical content.
The Rapture by Liz Jensen – Rising waters and religious themes.
The Real Story of Ah-Q and Other Tales of China by Lu Xun – Censored editions exist due to the author’s satirical take on Chinese society.
The Real Story of Ah-Q by Lu Xun – Known for its critique of Chinese culture, banned in different eras.
The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory – Banned for its portrayal of powerful women in medieval England, often challenging traditional gender norms.
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant – The story of Dinah from the Bible, told from a female perspective.
The Rights of Man by Thomas Paine – Banned historically in some places for advocating democratic rights and opposing monarchy.
The Rise and Fall of the East by Yasheng Huang – Analysis of economic history, questioning China’s growth model.
The River at the Center of the World by Simon Winchester – Exploration of the Yangtze River, touching on environmental and social issues.
The Road Map to Nowhere by Tanya Reinhart – Restricted in some academic circles for its strong criticism of Israel’s policies regarding Palestinians.
The Road to Tiananmen Square by Wei Jingsheng – Essays on human rights and democracy by a Chinese dissident.
The Salt Line by Holly Goddard Jones – Dystopia after deadly ticks cause societal divide.
The Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolaño – Challenged for explicit content and criticism of societal norms.
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett – Religious themes.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd – Banned for racial themes and discussions on religion.
The Secret of the Bulls by José Raúl Bernardo – Banned for explicit content.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón – Banned for anti-religious content.
The Shanghai Free Taxi by Frank Langfitt – Banned for its inside look at ordinary Chinese people’s opinions on political issues.
The Sheep Look Up by John Brunner – Pollution and corporate exploitation.
The Shining by Stephen King, banned for horror and violent themes.
The Short Life of José Antonio Gutierrez by Heidi Specogna – Banned for challenging U.S. involvement in Latin America.
The Silence of the Rain by Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza – Banned for themes of corruption.
The Silent Spring by Rachel Carson – Pollution and its effects on ecosystems.
The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein – Challenging gender norms.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares – Challenged for its portrayal of female friendship and coming-of-age topics like sexual identity and body image.
The Sneetches by Dr. Seuss – Banned in some places for addressing social inequality.
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey – A woman and her husband are blessed with a mysterious child in the Alaskan wilderness.
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats – Banned in some places for challenging racial stereotypes.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller – Banned for its depiction of male and female love stories, challenging traditional historical narratives.
The Song of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce – Banned for featuring a young girl disguised as a boy to become a knight, challenging gender roles.
The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois – Banned in some areas for its criticism of racial injustice and its influence on civil rights activism.
The Stand by Stephen King – Pandemic wipes out most of the human race.
The Stone Gods by Jeanette Winterson – Exploration of environmental collapse.
The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf – Banned historically for perceived pacifist themes.
The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles – Banned for its portrayal of racial segregation and civil rights.
The Stranger by Albert Camus – Absurdity, existential freedom.
The Stupid Step Out by Harry Allard - reinforcing negative behavior, promoting low self-esteem, encouraging disrespect for authority, use of the word "stupid."
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway – Freedom, existentialism.
The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon – Immigration, love.
The Survivalist Series by A. American – Preppers survive societal breakdown.
The Tale of Love and Darkness by Amos Oz – Criticized by some for portraying aspects of Jewish and Israeli identity that some groups find uncomfortable or politically sensitive.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter – Disobedience.
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien – Challenged for its graphic depiction of war and violence.
The Third Wave by Alvin Toffler – Banned for controversial social theories.
The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin – Alien contact and climate parallels.
The Tiananmen Exiles by Rowena Xiaoqing He – Interviews with activists exiled after Tiananmen, critical of the Chinese government.
The Tiananmen Papers by Zhang Liang – Banned for revealing government documents related to the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.
The Time of the Hero by Mario Vargas Llosa – Banned for criticizing the Peruvian military.
The Tragedy of Liberation by Frank Dikötter – Analysis of China’s transition to Communism, discussing widespread suffering.
The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu – Banned for its portrayal of a high school girl facing bullying, slut-shaming, and the consequences of her actions.
The Tunnel by Ernesto Sabato – Banned for existential and anti-establishment themes.
The Underdogs by Mariano Azuela – Banned for themes of revolution and anti-establishment sentiment.
The Uninhabitable Earth by David Wallace-Wells – Non-fiction on apocalyptic climate forecasts.
The Unraveling of China by Gordon G. Chang – Critique of China’s economy and political policies.
The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler – Banned for its explicit exploration of female sexuality and empowerment.
The Vegetarian by Han Kang – This novel was challenged for its dark themes, complex depictions of mental health, and graphic imagery, which led to discussions on its appropriateness, especially in conservative communities.
The Wall by John Lanchester – Climate refugees and nationalism in a dystopian England.
The War of the End of the World by Mario Vargas Llosa – Banned for exploring rebellion and social upheaval.
The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells – Survival, human resilience.
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates – Banned for its exploration of freedom and race, with a strong focus on a female protagonist in pre-Civil War America.
The Water Will Come by Jeff Goodell – Real-world projection of rising seas.
The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis – Racism and historical trauma.
The Watsons Go To Burmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis - inappropriate language and violence
The White Man’s Burden by William Easterly – Banned for criticizing foreign aid and intervention.
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen – Challenged for its themes of marriage, deception, and manipulation, with a focus on female protagonists.
The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi – Genetic manipulation and environmental collapse.
The Witching Hour by Anne Rice – Banned for its supernatural themes, depictions of female power, and explicit content.
The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston – Cultural identity, gender.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum – Banned in some areas for themes of witchcraft and feminist undertones.
The Word for World is Forest by Ursula K. Le Guin – Colonialism and deforestation.
The Works of Franz Kafka - Banned during the Cold War in Eastern European countries like Czechoslovakia for perceived subversive themes challenging authoritarian regimes.
The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis by José Saramago – Banned for political content.
The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood – Environmentalism, survival.
The Yellow Wind by David Grossman – Criticized for its portrayal of Palestinian life under Israeli occupation, though not formally banned.
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe – Colonialism, cultural freedom.
This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman – Pride celebration.
This Generation by Han Han – Banned for its criticism of contemporary Chinese society and government policies.
This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp – Told from the viewpoints of students in a school lockdown during a shooting, it has been banned in certain districts for its realistic, intense portrayal of gun violence in a school setting.
This Little Trailblazer by Joan Holub – Banned for featuring prominent historical figures, including those advocating for social change.
Tibet: A History by Sam van Schaik – Exploration of Tibet’s history and independence movement.
To Live by Yu Hua – Banned for depicting the struggles during China’s political upheavals.
Tombstone by Yang Jisheng – Documentation of China’s Great Famine, censored for criticizing Mao’s policies.
Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller – Censorship, sexual freedom, & explicit sexual content
Tropic of Chaos by Christian Parenti – Climate-induced conflict.
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt – Immortality.
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom – Challenged for discussions on mortality and spirituality.
Uncle Bobby’s Wedding by Sarah S. Brannen – Same-sex marriage.
Under the Dome by Chai Jing – An environmental documentary and book banned for exposing air pollution and government inaction in China.
Under the Feet of Jesus by Helena Maria Viramontes – Migrant rights.
Violent Ends by Shaun David Hutchinson – A collaborative novel with different perspectives on a school shooting, it delves into the lives of those affected. Some schools have restricted it for its vivid depictions of trauma and the lasting impact of violence on a community.
Waiting for Snow in Havana by Carlos Eire – Banned for criticism of Cuba.
Walkaway by Cory Doctorow – Post-scarcity society and environmental activism.
Walter the Farting Dog: Banned from the Beach by William Kotzwinkle - using the word "fart"
We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson – LGBTQ+ relationships, existentialism.
We Are Unprepared by Meg Little Reilly – Couple braces for climate disaster.
We by Yevgeny Zamyatin – Dystopian freedom, collectivism.
What’s Happening to My Body? by Lynda Madaras – Banned for discussing puberty and human anatomy.
What’s the Big Secret? by Laurie Krasny Brown – Banned for discussing basic concepts of anatomy and reproduction.
When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff – Transgender identity.
When China Rules the World by Martin Jacques – Examination of China’s influence and expansion, viewed as controversial.
When the Killing’s Done by T.C. Boyle – Ecological battle over island conservation.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens – Banned for its themes of isolation, independence, and a female protagonist who defies social expectations.
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls – Challenged for violent scenes and animal death.
White Teeth by Zadie Smith – Challenged for exploring racial identity, the role of women in a multicultural society, and generational conflicts.
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys – Banned for its portrayal of racial tensions and female autonomy, especially focusing on Bertha Mason’s backstory.
Wild by Cheryl Strayed – Banned for its exploration of a woman’s solo journey of self-discovery, mental health, and personal trauma.
Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang – Banned for its critical view of the Cultural Revolution and Mao Zedong.
Women, Race, & Class by Angela Davis – Feminism, liberation.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio – Banned for its portrayal of bullying and physical disabilities.
World Made by Hand by James Howard Kunstler – Post-oil scarcity in small-town America.
Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian – Nontraditional marriage.
Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan – Mankind’s extinction and survival themes.
Zapata and the Mexican Revolution by John Womack – Banned for discussing revolutionary figures.
Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence by R. F. Kuang - themes of colonialism, racism, xenophobia, and systems of oppression.
How To Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair - A powerful memoir that blends themes of resilience, identity, and liberation
My Darling Girl by Jennifer McMahon - Supernatural and Horror Themes, Dark Family Dynamics, Violence and Psychological Intensity, Mature Themes, Questioning of Reality and Morality
The MANIAC by Benjamín Labatut - Depictions of Mental Health and Madness, Dark Philosophical Themes, Blurring of Fact and Fiction, Challenging Authority and the Status Quo, Graphic or Disturbing Content
The Museum of Failures by Thrity Umrigar - Exploration of Sensitive Social Issues, Challenging Family and Cultural Dynamics, Mental Health and Emotional Trauma, Critique of Societal Norms, Mature Themes and Language
Wildfire by Hannah Grace - *not ban but challenge* grief and the paranormal