NAME THAT BANNED BOOK: This book about a "terrific" pig and his spider friend was challenged in 2006 because talking animals were considered unnatural.
Charlotte's Web
NAME THAT BANNED BOOK: This book by Dav Pilkey about a hypnotized principal, notable for his love of wearing undergarments, has been frequently banned because it encourages children to undermine authority.
Captain Underpants
NAME THAT BANNED BOOK: This book is actually the real diary of a young, Jewish girl hiding from the Nazis during World War II. It is thought to be too tragic and "depressing" for young readers.
The Diary of Anne Frank
NAME THAT BANNED BOOK: This famous book by Dr. Seuss about a nature-loving creature who "speaks for the trees" was banned for offending the logging industry and being considered anti-business.
The Lorax
NAME THAT BANNED BOOK: This book of poetry by famed author Shel Silverstein is frequently banned because it encourages "bad behavior" in children. Hint: The title poem describes something bright in a typically dark place.
A Light in the Attic
TRUE OR FALSE: "Where's Waldo" was banned in several states because it caused children too much frustration.
False! "Where's Waldo" was banned at libraries in Michigan, Texas and New York because a sunbathing figure was thought to be wearing too few clothes.
TRUE OR FALSE: More than 4,000 books are currently banned in the U.S.
True! The American Library Association reports that over 4,240 titles unique titles have been targeted.
NAME THAT BANNED BOOK: This famous book, by author J. K. Rowling, about a young boy who discovers that he is a wizard was banned for promoting witchcraft.
Harry Potter
TRUE OR FALSE: The book "James and the Giant Peach" by Roald Dahl was banned because it was too frightening for young children.
False! The book was banned for the use of inappropriate language.
TRUE OR FALSE: The book, "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak, about a boy sent to his room without supper has been banned because it "promotes witchcraft and supernatural events".
TRUE! The book was banned in most southern states in 1963.
TRUE OR FALSE: In 2010, the state of Texas banned the book "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See?"?
TRUE! The Texas board of education confused author, Bill Martin, Jr., with Marxist philosopher Bill Martin.
NAME THAT BANNED BOOK: This book by Raina Telgemeier about a girl named Callie who takes an acting class in school has been banned because it contained LGBTQ characters and themes too mature for elementary students.
Drama
TURE OR FALSE: Parents and librarians are responsible for most book challenges.
FALSE! 72% of book bans originate with government entities (politicians and pressure groups). 16% originate with parents and 12% from others.
TRUE OR FALSE: "Unicorns are the Worst" is banned because it discriminates against unicorns.
FALSE: It is banned for illustrating the goblin's bare bottom.
TRUE OR FALSE: The book, "Ban this Book," was banned because the central topic was book banning and censorship.
TRUE! It was banned in 2024 at a Florida school district even after the review committee recommended keeping the book in school library shelves.
TRUE OR FALSE: The picture book "And Tango Makes Three," a true story about two male penguins who adopt an orphan chick, was the most challenged children's book in 2024.
TRUE! The book has been consistently challenged as "anti-family" since it was published in 2006 despite many defeated challenges.
