LibGuides: Banned Books: Banned and Challenged books in the Mendocino College Library

Banned and Challenged Books

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Call Number: PR 9387.9 .A3 T5 1994

ISBN: 0385474547

Publication Date: 1994-09-01

Challenged for the critical portrayal of European colonialism and Christian missionary work and their negative impact on the native culture.
In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
Call Number: PS 3551 .L845 I5 1995

ISBN: 0452274427

Publication Date: 1995-08-01

Challenged / banned for containing a diagram of a home-made bomb.
Giovanni's Room by Baldwin, James
Call Number: PS 3552 A45 G5

Publication Date: 1956

Challenged / banned for portrayal of homosexuality and bisexuality.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Call Number: PS 3503 .R167 F3 2003

ISBN: 0743247221

Publication Date: 2003-09-23

Challenged / banned for profanity, vulgar language, references to sex, drugs, and suicide. Ironically, the book's message against censorship has made it a target of censorship.
A Clockwork Orange by Burgess, Anthony
Call Number: PR 6052 .U638

Publication Date: 1962

Challenged / banned for graphic scenes of violence and sexual violence which has been linked to copycat violence and crime.
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra; Edith Grossman
Call Number: PQ 6329 .A2 2003b

ISBN: 0060188707

Publication Date: 2003-10-21

Challenged / banned for criticism of the Spanish inquisition and subtle messages encouraging questioning of authority.
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Call Number: PS 3553 .I78 H68 2008

ISBN: 9780679734772

Publication Date: 1991-04-03

Challenged / banned for mature themes including domestic violence, racism, and sexuality.
As I Lay Dying by Faulkner, William
Call Number: PS 3511 .A86 A8 1964

Publication Date: 2002-02-06

Challenged/Banned for profanity, offensive discussions of abortion and reincarnation.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
Call Number: PZ 7 .H1165 Cu 2004

ISBN: 9781400032716

Publication Date: 2004-05-18

Banned/Challenged for offensive language, discussion of atheism, negative portrayal of autism (according to some parents.)
A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
Call Number: PS 3563 .A7239 G36 1996

ISBN: 9780553103540

Publication Date: 1996-08-01

Banned/challenged for nudity and sexual content. Declared by some to be sexually harmful.
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Call Number: PS 3563.08749 B4

ISBN: 0671531468

Publication Date: 1984-05-01

Banned/challenged for sexually explicit material and disturbing language.
Animal Farm And 1984 by Christopher Hitchens; George. Orwell (As told to)
Call Number: PR 6029 .R8 A63 2003

ISBN: 0151010269

Publication Date: 2003-06-01

Banned / challenged for criticism of communism and authoritarian rule.
The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie
Call Number: PR 6068 .U757 S27 1992

ISBN: 0963270702

Publication Date: 1992-03-01

Banned / Challenged for blasphemy against Islam and the prophet Muhammad.
Push by Sapphire
Call Number: PS 3569 .A63 P87 1997

ISBN: 0679766758

Publication Date: 1997-04-29

Banned / challenged for pornography, obscene material, sexually explicit content, and violence.
Maus II: a Survivor's Tale by Art Spiegelman
Call Number: D 804.3 .S66 1992

ISBN: 0679729771

Publication Date: 1992-09-01

Banned / challenged for inappropriate language, nudity, depiction of suicide.
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck; Robert DeMott (Introduction by)
Call Number: PS 3537 .T3234 G8 1992

ISBN: 0140186409

Publication Date: 1992-10-01

Banned / challenged for profanity, portrayal of migrant workers harsh conditions, and perceived pro-union and socialist messages
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Annotated Keynote Classics) by Mark Twain; Michelle M. White (Intro and Notes by, Editor, Annotations by, Cover Design by, Designed by, Footnotes by, Introduction by, Introductions and notes by, Notes by)
Call Number: PS 1305 A1 1962

ISBN: 9781949611182

Publication Date: 1962 -11-08

Banned / challenged for extensive use of the n-word and racial stereotyping.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Call Number: PS 3573 .A425 C6 2003

ISBN: 9780156028356

Publication Date: 2003-05-28

Banned / challenged for explicit sexual content, graphic violence, themes of incest and abuse, offensive language, and anti-Christian themes.