A Curated Book Selection

My Shadow Is Purple

Scott Stuart

My Shadow is Purple is a children’s picture book about a child whose shadow isn’t just blue or pink, but purple, representing a blend of both and a broader spectrum of identity. The book promotes acceptance, diversity, and the freedom to express oneself beyond traditional gender norms. In 2023, a teacher in Georgia was fired for reading the book to her fifth-grade students.

A Georgia school board fires a teacher for reading a book to students about gender identity

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Maya Angelou

Since its publication in 1969, Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings has been one of the most banned books of all time due to its candid depictions of rape, racism, and trauma. Although the book has appeared on the American Library Association’s most challenged books lists multiple times, especially during the 1990s and 2000s, it remains widely respected for its literary and cultural significance and is often taught to explore issues of identity, oppression, and resilience.

These Are the 381 Books Removed From the Naval Academy Library

One of the most banned books of all time - Mollie Godfrey

1984

George Orwell

1984 by George Orwell consistently appears at the top of lists of frequently banned and challenged books, especially in the US due to its political themes, sexual content, and strong language. Studied for its literary value and political insight, 1984 is considered one of the most important works of dystopian fiction and continues to be relevant in discussions about censorship, surveillance, state control and the manipulation of truth.

We Are All Living in George Orwell’s World Now

The Handmaid's Tale

Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopian novel set in a totalitarian, theocratic society where women’s rights have been stripped away and some are forced into reproductive servitude. Since its publication in 1985, it has been frequently banned and challenged for its sexual content, violence, profanity, and perceived criticism of religion and politics. The novel is relevant to today’s conversations about gender, freedom, and authoritarianism.

Go Ahead and Ban My Book