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Request a CatalogPlayground Equipment and Banned Books Both Have a Place in Our Schools
Banned books have been a hot topic lately, right up there with the importance of recess and safe outdoor playground equipment for our students of all ages and abilities. One of the latest banned books to make headlines was Maus, a Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel created by Art Spiegelman. The novel depicts the author interviewing his father about his experiences as a Holocaust survivor and, while it may not be appropriate for an elementary school playground, the book has real value. In 2022, a Tennessee school board voted to remove Maus from their eighth-grade curriculum , which caused an uproar among the book’s supporters and opened up a greater conversation about censorship of books.
Ever wonder why so many people try to pull certain books from library and school shelves? The Playground Equipment team compiled a banned books list and reasons why parents believe these books should be removed, from the reasonable to the ridiculous. Check out which books Americans had a problem with in 2020, in the past eight years and beyond, and why.
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What Is the Most Banned Book in America? You Won’t Find This Title Being Read Out at School Picnic Tables
You might want to take a seat at the school picnic tables for this one…For all time, the most frequently banned book is 1984 by George Orwell. (How very Orwellian!) Regardless of it being banned in the classroom, students can still access copies at their local library and read this book at park picnic tables all they like.
The most banned and challenged book for 2020 was George by Alex Gino.
Banned Books Are Best Enjoyed Under the Cover of Playground Shade Structures - What Are the Top 10 Banned Books in America of All Time?
Out of the books that have been banned, many of them are considered to be classics and even incorporated into the required reading for classes. It’s no wonder that they are still very popular among students who could be found reading them quietly under playground shade structures. Lounging in the shade, teachers might spy kids sneaking any one of these top banned books.
Here are the top 10 most challenged books of all time:
- 1984 by George Orwell
- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
- The Color Purple by Alice Walker
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
- Lord of the Flies by William Golding
- Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
- One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Which Books Are the Most Banned in the U.S. Today? – You Won’t Find These on Being Read on Commercial Park Benches
There were 273 books challenged or banned during 2020, and George by Alex Gino was the most frequently challenged due to its subject matter, which includes LGBTQIA+ content. The 2021 banned books list is not yet available, but when it is, you can be sure that you will find subversive readers on park benches all over the country reading their forbidden copies. Perhaps, when they’re finished, they’ll leave them on a bench in the park for someone else to pick up and enjoy.
Here is the top 10 list of banned books in the U.S. in 2020:
- George by Alex Gino
- Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds
- All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
- Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
- The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
- Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story About Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
George, also on the list of banned books in 2018 and 2019, tells the story of a young transgender girl named Melissa. While the rest of the world sees her as George, she longs to be seen as Melissa, her true self. While the book has been praised by The New York Times and National Public Radio for its depiction of transgender experiences, it has been challenged every year since 2016. The author has since retitled the book Melissa.
A new addition to the banned books list is Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds. This book, published in 2020, is a New York Times best-seller that explores issues related to race, racism, and anti-racism in America. It has been banned and challenged for allegedly including "selective storytelling incidents” and not including instances of racism against all people.
The third most challenged book of 2020 was All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely. This is the first year that the book appeared in the list of top 10 most challenged books. It tells the story of two teenage boys as they handle police brutality and racism within their community. The book has been challenged for many reasons, including drug use, profanity, alcoholism, and anti-police sentiments.
The Kids on the Playground Swings Want to Know: Why Are Books Banned?
Usually, it’s the result of parents and community insistence. The most common reasons why books are banned in the U.S. are racial issues, sexual content or education, encouragement of “damaging” lifestyles, violence, the presence of witchcraft or paganism, and religious affiliations. Surveys show that between 82% and 97% of book challenges (documented requests to remove materials from schools or libraries) receive no media attention, so it is difficult to capture the full scope of the issue. In recent times, if you look at the list of banned books and reasons why they were challenged, you’ll see a pattern of LGBTQ+ themes frequently being attacked. Like kids on commercial swing sets, the important issues and controversies swing back and forth.
The most challenged or banned books between 2000-09 were the Harry Potter books, the Alice series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, and The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier.
In the 20 years since J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series took the world by storm, it has faced many attempts to limit, ban, and even burn the books. It was the most frequently challenged book series in the U.S. for 1999 and earned the 48th slot on the 1990-1999 banned books list.
When Is Banned Books Week?
Banned Books Week takes place during the last week of September.
The ALA Banned Books Week has been during the last week of September since 1982. It is an annual awareness campaign launched by the American Library Association and Amnesty International to celebrate the freedom to read and to stress the importance of ensuring the accessibility of unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to anyone who wishes to read them. The goal is to give readers the freedom to develop their own opinions and conclusions as well as learn about the history of banned books in America.
It is important to be aware of banned books and why they are challenged by parents, teachers, libraries, and organizations across the globe!
The Most Challenged Books of 2013-2020
Most Challenged Books of 2020
Total Challenges: 156
|
Book Title |
Author |
Illustrator |
Published |
Reason(s) |
|
George |
Alex Gino |
|
2015 |
LGBTQIA+ content, religious viewpoint, controversial issues |
|
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You |
Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds |
|
2020 |
Controversial issues, racial issues |
|
All American Boys |
Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely |
|
2015 |
Profanity, alcoholism, drug use, anti-police, controversial issues |
|
Speak |
Laurie Halse Anderson |
|
1999 |
Political viewpoint, sexual content, profanity |
|
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian |
Sherman Alexie |
|
2007 |
Sexual content, profanity, author misconduct |
|
Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story About Racial Injustice |
Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard |
Jennifer Zivoin |
2018 |
Controversial issues, anti-police |
|
To Kill a Mockingbird |
Harper Lee |
|
1960 |
Use of “N” word, racial issues |
|
Of Mice and Men |
John Steinbeck |
|
1937 |
Racial issues |
|
The Bluest Eye |
Toni Morrison |
|
1970 |
Sexual content |
|
The Hate U Give |
Angie Thomas |
|
2017 |
Profanity, anti-police |
Most Challenged Books of 2019
Total Challenges: 377
|
Book Title |
Author |
Illustrator |
Published |
Reason(s) |
|
George |
Alex Gino |
|
2015 |
Sexual content, LGBTQIA+ content, transgender character, religious viewpoint |
|
Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out |
Susan Kuklin |
|
2014 |
Sexual content, LGBTQIA+ content |
|
A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo |
Jill Twiss |
EG Keller |
2018 |
LGBTQIA+ content, political viewpoint, corrupts youth |
|
Sex Is a Funny Word |
Cory Silverberg |
Fiona Smyth |
2015 |
LGBTQIA+ content, gender identity, sex education, unsuited for age group |
|
Prince & Knight |
Daniel Haack |
Stevie Lewis |
2018 |
LGBTQIA+ content, gender identity, religious viewpoint, corrupts youth |
|
I Am Jazz |
Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings |
Shelagh McNicholas |
2014 |
LGBTQIA+ content, transgender character, controversial issues |
|
The Handmaid’s Tale |
Margaret Atwood |
|
1985 |
Profanity, sexual content |
|
Drama |
Raina Telgemeier |
|
2012 |
LGBTQIA+ content, corrupts youth |
|
Harry Potter series |
J. K. Rowling |
|
1997 |
Occult, controversial issues |
|
And Tango Makes Three |
Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson |
Henry Cole |
2005 |
LGBTQIA+ content |
Most Challenged Books of 2018
Total Challenges: 347
|
Book Title |
Author |
Illustrator |
Published |
Reason(s) |
|
George |
Alex Gino |
|
2015 |
Sexual content, transgender character |
|
A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo |
Jill Twiss |
EG Keller |
2018 |
LGBTQIA+ content, political viewpoint, religious viewpoint |
|
Captain Underpants series |
Dav Pilkey |
|
1997 |
Profanity, unsuited for age group, LGBTQIA+ content |
|
The Hate U Give |
Angie Thomas |
|
2017 |
Profanity, sexual content, drug use, anti-police |
|
Drama |
Raina Telgemeier |
|
2012 |
LGBTQIA+ content |
|
Thirteen Reasons Why |
Jay Asher |
|
2017 |
Discusses suicide |
|
This One Summer |
Mariko Tamaki |
Jillian Tamaki |
|
Profanity, sexual content |
|
Skippyjon Jones series |
Judy Schachner |
|
2003 |
Racism |
|
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian |
Sherman Alexie |
|
2007 |
Sexual content, profanity, violence, gambling, underage drinking, religious viewpoint |
|
This Day in June |
Gayle E. Pitman |
Kristyna Litten |
2014 |
LGBTQIA+ content |
Most Challenged Books of 2017
Total Challenges: 354
|
Book Title |
Author |
Illustrator |
Published |
Reason(s) |
|
Thirteen Reasons Why |
Jay Asher |
|
2007 |
Discusses suicide |
|
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian |
Sherman Alexie |
|
2007 |
Profanity, alcoholism, sexuality, gambling, drugs, anti-family, racial issues |
|
Drama |
Raina Telgemeier |
|
2012 |
LGBTQIA+ content, Sexual content |
|
The Kite Runner |
Khaled Hosseini |
|
2003 |
Sexual content, violence, unsuited to age group, profanity |
|
George |
Alex Gino |
|
2015 |
Transgender character |
|
Sex Is a Funny Word |
Cory Silverberg |
Fiona Smyth |
2015 |
Sexual content |
|
To Kill a Mockingbird |
Harper Lee |
|
1960 |
Violence, profanity, use of “N” word |
|
The Hate U Give |
Angie Thomas |
|
2017 |
Profanity, sexual content, drug use |
|
And Tango Makes Three |
Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson |
Henry Cole |
2005 |
LGBT content, anti-family, political viewpoint, religious viewpoint, unsuited for age group |
|
I Am Jazz |
Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings |
Shelagh McNicholas |
2014 |
Gender identity |
Most Challenged Books of 2016
Total Challenges: 323
|
Book Title |
Author |
Illustrator |
Published |
Reason(s) |
|
This One Summer |
Mariko Tamaki |
Jillian Tamaki |
2014 |
LGBTQIA+ content, drug use, profanity, sexual content |
|
Drama |
Raina Telgemeier |
|
2012 |
LGBTQIA+ content |
|
George |
Alex Gino |
|
2015 |
Transgender character |
|
I Am Jazz |
Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings |
Shelagh McNicholas |
2014 |
Gender identity |
|
Two Boys Kissing |
David Levithan |
|
2013 |
LGBTQIA+ content, sexual content, promotes “public displays of affection” |
|
Looking for Alaska |
John Green |
|
2005 |
Drugs, alcohol, smoking, unsuited for age group |
|
Big Hard Sex Criminals |
Matt Fraction |
Chip Zdarsky |
2015 |
Sexual content |
|
Make Something Up: Stories You Can’t Unread |
Chuck Palahniuk |
|
2015 |
Profanity, sexual content, LGBTQIA+ content |
|
Little Bill series |
Bill Cosby |
Varnette P. Honeywood |
1997 |
Author misconduct |
|
Eleanor & Park |
Rainbow Rowell |
|
2013 |
Profanity |
Most Challenged Books of 2015
Total Challenges: 275
|
Book Title |
Author |
Illustrator |
Published |
Reason(s) |
|
Looking for Alaska |
John Green |
|
2005 |
Sexual content, profanity |
|
Fifty Shades of Grey |
E.L. James |
|
2011 |
Sexual content, poorly written, religious viewpoint, nudity, unsuited for age group |
|
I Am Jazz |
Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings |
Shelagh McNicholas |
2014 |
Gender identity, unsuited for age group, sexual content |
|
Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out |
Susan Kuklin |
|
2014 |
Anti-family, profanity, LGBTQIA+ content, sexual content, political viewpoint, unsuited for age group |
|
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time |
Mark Haddon |
|
2003 |
Profanity, atheism, unsuited for age group |
|
The Holy Bible |
|
|
|
Religious viewpoint, promotes Christianity |
|
Fun Home |
Alison Bechdel |
|
2006 |
Violence, sexual content, LGBTQIA+ content |
|
Habibi |
Craig Thompson |
|
2011 |
Nudity, sexual content, unsuited for age group |
|
Nasreen’s Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan |
Jeanette Winter |
|
2009 |
Religious viewpoint, unsuited for age group, violence, promotes Islam |
|
Two Boys Kissing |
David Levithan |
|
2013 |
LGBTQIA+ content, sexual content, promotes public displays of affection |
Most Challenged Books of 2014
Total Challenges: 311
|
Book Title |
Author |
Illustrator |
Published |
Reason(s) |
|
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian |
Sherman Alexie |
|
2007 |
Profanity, alcoholism, sexuality, gambling, drugs, anti-family, racial issues |
|
Persepolis |
Marjane Satrapi |
|
2000 |
Gambling, profanity, political viewpoint, depiction of torture |
|
And Tango Makes Three |
Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson |
Henry Cole |
2005 |
LGBTQIA+ content, anti-family, political viewpoint, religious viewpoint, unsuited for age group |
|
The Bluest Eye |
Toni Morrison |
|
1970 |
Sexual content, unsuited for age group, controversial issues |
|
It’s Perfectly Normal |
Robie Harris |
|
1994 |
Nudity, sexual content, unsuited to age group, sexual education |
|
Saga |
Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staples |
|
2012 |
Anti-family, nudity, profanity, sexual content, unsuited for age group |
|
The Kite Runner |
Khaled Hosseini |
|
2012 |
Anti-family, nudity, profanity, sexual content, unsuited for age group |
|
The Perks of Being a Wallflower |
Stephen Chbosky |
|
1999 |
LGBTQIA+ content, drugs, alcohol, smoking, sexual content, unsuited for age group |
|
A Stolen Life |
Jaycee Dugard |
|
2011 |
Drugs, alcohol, smoking, sexual content, unsuited for age group, profanity |
|
Drama |
Raina Telgemeier |
|
2012 |
LGBTQIA+ content, sexual content |
Most Challenged Books of 2013
Total Challenges: 307
|
Book Title |
Author |
Illustrator |
Published |
Reason(s) |
|
Captain Underpants |
Dav Pilkey |
|
1997 |
Profanity, unsuited for age group, violence |
|
The Bluest Eye |
Toni Morrison |
|
1970 |
Sexual content, unsuited for age group, controversial issues |
|
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian |
Sherman Alexie |
|
2007 |
Profanity, alcoholism, sexuality, gambling, drugs, anti-family, racial issues |
|
Fifty Shades of Grey |
E.L. James |
|
2011 |
Sexual content, poorly written, religious viewpoint, nudity, unsuited for age group |
|
The Hunger Games |
Suzanne Collins |
|
2012 |
Anti-family, racial issues, occult, violence, religious viewpoint, sexual content |
|
A Bad Boy Can Be Good for a Girl |
Tanya Lee Stone |
|
2006 |
Drugs, alcohol, nudity, profanity, sexual content |
|
Looking for Alaska |
John Green |
|
2005 |
Sexual content, drugs, alcohol, smoking, unsuited for age group |
|
The Perks of Being a Wallflower |
Stephen Chbosky |
|
1999 |
LGBTQIA+ content, drugs, alcohol, smoking, sexual content, unsuited for age group |
|
Bless Me Ultima |
Rudolfo Anaya |
|
1972 |
Occult, profanity, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit |
|
Bone |
Jeff Smith |
|
1991 |
Political viewpoint, racism, violence |
The 10 Most Challenged and Banned Classics of All Time
|
Book Title |
Author |
Illustrator |
Published |
Reason(s) |
|
1984 |
George Orwell |
|
1949 |
Pro-communist, sexual content |
|
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn |
Mark Twain |
|
1884 |
Racism |
|
The Catcher in the Rye |
J. D. Salinger |
|
1951 |
Profanity, unsuited for age group |
|
The Color Purple |
Alice Walker |
|
1982 |
Profanity, sexual content, unsuited for age group, racial issues |
|
The Great Gatsby |
F. Scott Fitzgerald |
|
1925 |
Drugs, sexual content, profanity |
|
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings |
Maya Angelou |
|
1969 |
Sexual content, racial issues |
|
Lord of the Flies |
William Golding |
|
1954 |
Profanity, sexual content, racism, violence |
|
Of Mice and Men |
John Steinbeck |
|
1937 |
Profanity, racism, violence |
|
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest |
Ken Kesey |
|
1975 |
Violence, sexual content, corrupts youth, profanity |
|
To Kill a Mockingbird |
Harper Lee |
|
1960 |
Profanity, racism, racial issues |
Both Books and Quality Commercial Playground Equipment are Important Parts of a Well-Rounded Education in Schools
Schools play an important part in both the formal and informal education of children, from the classroom lessons to the commercial outdoor play equipment they enjoy on the playground. This includes interpersonal skills and compassion that they practice as they play on the school or park playground equipment, in addition to math and science. Teaching kids about different creeds, cultures, and challenges helps make them more open-minded as well as empathetic to people in their communities. Whether children are learning from a desk or a swing set, it’s important that we acknowledge and embrace the things that make us unique.
Updated by Kim Hart on September 13, 2024