Reading Recs

This picture book was revolutionary when it came out in 2005 as it dealt with same-sex parenting while presenting a unique trait of the emperor penguin. Controversial because of its subject matter, And Tango Makes Three is a gentle, loving story about two male penguins who fall in love and sit on an abandoned egg together to form their own family. To me, you could not ask for a better way to introduce non-traditional family structures to children. Plus, it’s a great read for adults too. – Randyn

A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein is one of my favorite children’s poetry books. It was banned in several elementary schools throughout the United States because of its suggestive and creepy illustrations, as well as taboo topics like suicide, cannibalism, and witchcraft. It also has been said to encourage children to be disobedient and to idolize Satan. I can’t say, as a child, that I acted on the behest of those lines of poetry, but what do you think? Should this book have been banned? – Heather

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is the story of 14-year-old Junior growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Frustrated by the poverty in his school district, he chooses to travel to a high school off-reservation, 22 miles away. There, he discovers he’s the only Native American, besides the mascot. This novel is closely inspired by Sherman Alexie’s own life. It details experiences from usual high school drama, like bullies and his crush on a popular girl, to intense emotional dives into topics like racism, alcoholism in the Reservation Community, and the death of family members. The book has made it onto the American Library Association’s list of banned and challenged books for “excerpts on masturbation,” “vulgarity, racism, and anti-Christian content,” and “encouraging pornography” Since the southeast Missouri area has an…interesting relationship with Native Americans, this is a particularly important read for us. – Bridget

Since its publication in 1951, Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye has been banned by many schools and libraries. While there is a lot of profanity, sexual references, and perceived immortality, the book is also “true to life” in a way that engages the reader from the first page. The protagonist, Holden Caulfield, is a teenage slacker who drinks, smokes, and engages in questionable behavior. Yet, for most readers, Holden has inherent traits that are good, and, though he is a naughty boy, he is also redeemable. C’mon Holden, get your act together! – John

Powerful and astonishing story of resiliency and perseverance in a family that is dysfunctional, loyal, and creative. A father encourages imagination and learning while sober, but becomes destructive and violent while intoxicated. The children learn to take care of themselves and move to New York and out of poverty. You will cry, laugh, and be inspired. – Stephanie

A great introduction to Vonnegut’s work. Reflecting his own experience in World War II, this book relates the tale of Billy Pilgrim, an American POW in Germany who survives the allied firebombing of Dresden. Using a science fiction framework, Billy becomes “unstuck in time,” traveling to times in the future and past. With a unique approach to time travel, and moments of humor and poignancy, this book ruminates on the implications of human endeavor such as war and the transience of interpersonal relationships. – Karl

The Outsiders is an amazing book that has been banned multiple times. This book is a smaller book, but is a page turner. This book has been banned for having underage drinking, smoking, and for the main characters being involved in a gang. I highly recommend this book though! – Cole

#25 on the Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books from 2000-2009. It was banned for violence, murder, drinking, drugs, lying to authority, peer pressure and smoking. Four seniors get pulled into a dangerous prank by a psychopath, ending in murder. Numerous lives ruined. One of the seniors wants to do the right thing, but will she survive? Read this thrilling book and find out! – Leah

The Giver has been one of the most banned/challenged books in American schools since its publication in 1993, falling just behind To Kill a Mockingbird. Most youth books are removed from schools citing “offensive language” or “sexually explicit” content, but not The Giver. Its content has been deemed too dark for the very age group that it was written for. Which is ironic given the content of the book. Should we live in a world in which all inconvenient and uncomfortable content are removed? Or should we start to question and shine light into the darkest shadows of society? Read The Giver to find out exactly what it takes for perfection. – Brittany