Banned Books Week-Show Me the Titles

Now that we've talked a little about what Banned Books Week is and how titles get banned or challenged, here is a selected list of some of the banned and challenged titles available at the Sullivan University Library and Learning Resource Center. Click on the title to learn more about it.

1984 by George Orwell; 824.912 O79n

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain; DVD 813.4 T969a

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell; JF R

Beloved by Toni Morrison; DVD 791.43 B452

Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger; 813.54 S165c

The Color Purple by Alice Walker; 813.54 W759c and DVD 791.43 C719

The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler; JF M

Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going; JF G

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck; 813.52 S819g

Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling; JF R

The Jungle by Upton Sinclair; 813.52 S616j

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov; 813.54 N117l

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien; 823.912 T649l

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil; DVD 791.43 M6296

Olive’s Ocean by Kevin Henkes; JF H

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor; JF T

Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison; 813.54 M882s

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway; 813.52 H488s

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee; 813 L478 and DVD 813.54 T627

This is just a representative list, so if you want to find more titles that have been banned or challenged search in the library's catalog for banned books. If you need any assistance finding these titles or if you want more information about any of the titles, please don't hesitate to ask one of the librarians for help.

Banned Books Week-Are Books Still Being Banned and Challenged?

In short, yes, books are still being banned and challenged, and the American Library Association, along with others in the book industry, sets aside a week each year to promote the freedom to read books. The week is known as Banned Books Week, and this year it occurs from September 24-October 1, 2011.

Are librarians really banning books? No. The books that have been banned or challenged were banned by people and organizations who thought the books were inappropriate for one reason or another.

According to the American Library association, a banned book is a book that has been removed from a library because of complaints by an individual or group. A challenged book is one that a person or a group has attempted to remove from a library or to restrict its use. Due to the dedication of librarians and other individuals, most challenges are unsuccessful and books are still available to be read.

Come to the library during the next few weeks to see our display of titles that have been banned or challenged. You can also check out and read any of the books that are on display. Stay tuned to the library's Facebook page and our Twitter account for more information about banned and challenged books.

The Library staff would like to welcome all new and returning students to Sullivan University.  To help you get oriented  (or just remember where things are) we will be offering drop-in tours of the library during Week 2.  Stop by at any of these times for a walkthrough of the library. 

If you would like a tour and can’t make these times, we will be happy to schedule a time that works for you – talk to a librarian at the desk anytime!