James and the Giant Peach
by Roald Dahl
Censorship Status
Banned in Various US schools
Reason: Dark themes, references to tobacco and alcohol
A children's novel about a boy's magical journey inside a giant peach.
Why James and the Giant Peach Was Banned
Censorship Concerns
Even children's literature isn't safe from censorship when it contains themes deemed inappropriate by authorities.
Specifically, James and the Giant Peach was targeted for: Dark themes, references to tobacco and alcohol. The book's themes and content were deemed threatening to the social, political, or religious order in Various US schools.
Why Read James and the Giant Peach Today?
- ✓ Historical Significance: Understand why this book was considered dangerous enough to ban.
- ✓ Intellectual Freedom: Support the right to read diverse perspectives and challenging ideas.
- ✓ Critical Thinking: Engage with ideas that authorities didn't want people to consider.
- ✓ Cultural Understanding: Gain insight into the fears and concerns of different societies and eras.
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Heather Has Two Mommies
by Lesléa Newman
A groundbreaking children's book about a girl with two mothers, challenged in Pennsylvania districts for referencing gender identity and non-traditional families. Originally published in 1989, it remains controversial today as Republican-led school boards attempt to remove LGBTQ+ representation from children's literature.
If I Ran the Zoo
by Dr. Seuss
In 2021, Dr. Seuss Enterprises voluntarily pulled this and 5 other titles from publication amid progressive pressure over racist imagery and caricatures. The decision came after criticism that the books perpetuated harmful stereotypes about Asian, African, and Indigenous peoples. This represents corporate response to progressive criticism rather than government censorship.
Don't Let This Story Be Silenced
Support intellectual freedom by reading the books that challenged the powerful. Get your copy of James and the Giant Peach today and discover why it's still being banned.
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