Banned Books Week 2026

by Donna Huber

This week is Banned Book Week (Oct 4 - 10), and we like to shine a light on some of the books that are challenged each year.  

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

I have a cute banned book scarf with a lot of classics that have been challenged, such as For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway (for political content, depictions of war, and explicit sexual themes).  Many of what is considered classic literature have been challenged at some point, such as The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (for vulgar language, alcohol use, morally questionable behavior) and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (for profanity, racial slurs, and violence). When I was in high school, there were some objections to us reading Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy (because of a rape scene0. But it's not just the classics that are challenged, but also popular current fiction. 

I found some of the statistics in this graphic from the American Library Association kind of shocking. I always assumed it was parents bringing these challenges, but according to the 2025 data, only 3% of challenges were from parents. Presumably, some of the people from Pressure Groups (21%) are parents, so I'm not sure how the overlap is handled. I also assumed that most challenges were in school libraries 37%), but more than half (51%) of challenges occur in public libraries.

If you are interested in reading a "banned" book this weekend, I've rounded up a few that are either my favorites or that I was shocked have been challenged. PEN America has a list of most challenged books, Goodreads has a reader-curated list of Best Banned, Censored, and Challenged Books, and Amazon has a list too.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Why it's challenged: Too dark, depiction of witchcraft and the supernatural. 

My thoughts: This was one of my sister's favorite books, I think because of the artwork. I found it to be scary as a child, but I was shocked to see its wanted poster at the library. (We owned a copy; I just chose not to read it)

My library posted "Wanted" posters that I thought were really cute. 

Buy Where the Wild Things Are at Amazon

The Glass Castle by Jeanetter Walls

Why it's challenged: Profanity, sexual content, and depictions of alcohol abuse and extreme neglect

My thoughts: It is an emotional read. I find it interesting that a memoir has been challenged.  It's her story... her life. Was she really supposed to censor that?

Buy The Glass Castle at Amazon

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling

Why it's challenged: For depictions of witchcraft, violence, and anti-family values

My thoughts: I remember the challenges to this book (and the series as a whole) because it supposedly promoted witchcraft. I thought it was a fantasy story about good versus evil. I mean, it would be great if there was a spell that would make dishes wash themselves, but I don't think kids were running out to find spells that would make their pencils spell correctly.

Buy Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of the how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us. Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter today! Or Follow Girl Who Reads with Bloglovin. Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.