This holiday season, consider a gift that carries a message of intellectual freedom and defiance: a banned book. Across the United States, a significant movement to restrict access to literature in schools and libraries continues, making the act of giving these titles a powerful statement.
The Landscape of Literary Censorship in America
According to the American Library Association (ALA), which publishes annual reports on censorship, 821 attempts to ban library books and materials were recorded in the US in 2024. Texas has consistently ranked as a top state for such attempts. While reported challenges dipped slightly between 2023 and 2024, experts caution the figures are incomplete, as many restrictions occur pre-emptively through laws or internal library policies.
The driving force behind most challenges has shifted. The ALA notes that the majority now stem from "pressure groups and decision makers who have been swayed by them," rather than individual parents. Common objections focus on content related to sexuality, race, racism, and LGBTQ+ themes.
Resistance and the Fight to Read
In response, a hopeful counter-movement is growing. Grassroots campaigns like the Texas Freedom to Read Project, formed by parents and community members, actively oppose censorship. Furthermore, librarians in at least six states are collaborating with civil rights organisations to challenge bans and related legislation.
Gifting a book from the challenged lists is a personal way to participate in this resistance. Below is a selection of ten titles, all of which have faced bans or challenges since the year 2000, perfect for readers of all ages who cherish curiosity and a rebellious spirit.
Ten Titles That Defied the Ban
The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
This landmark magical realism novel, inspired by Gabriel García Márquez, traces a Chilean family through political turmoil. Allende's debut has been challenged for its depictions of social unrest and sexuality. A new Prime Video adaptation makes it a timely gift.
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
A seminal coming-of-age story for generations, Blume's honest portrayal of puberty and faith has been controversial since its 1970 release. It remains an essential, and defiant, read for pre-teens.
Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich
Ehrenreich's investigative journalism into low-wage America critiques economic inequality and disputes the concept of "unskilled labour." Its political perspective has placed it on challenge lists.
Toni Morrison's Essential Trilogy
The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, and Beloved represent the Nobel laureate's most celebrated—and frequently challenged—work. Their profound exploration of the Black American experience has made them perennial targets for censors.
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
This acclaimed graphic memoir about growing up during Iran's Islamic Revolution is often challenged for its political content and depictions of violence. It's a powerful gift for lovers of visual storytelling.
It's a Book by Lane Smith
A seemingly simple children's story championing books over screens was ironically challenged for its humorous, cheeky ending. Perfect for young readers—and screen-obsessed adults.
Goosebumps Series by R.L. Stine
These iconic children's horror books have been challenged for decades over claims they promote violence and the occult. For many, they were a thrilling gateway to a lifelong love of reading.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about Black women's resilience in the American South is routinely challenged for its explicit depictions of violence and sexuality, despite its monumental literary status.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Angelou's groundbreaking autobiography, which confronts trauma, racism, and identity, is one of the most banned books in American schools, often for its honest portrayal of sexual assault.
Giving the Gift of Perspective
Choosing a banned book is more than a literary selection; it's an endorsement of the freedom to explore diverse ideas and stories. In a climate of increasing restriction, these gifts support authors, validate readers, and quietly challenge the machinery of censorship. This holiday, give a present that truly makes a statement.
