Free Speech, Academic Freedom, & Intellectual Freedom

Book banning, a form of censorship, occurs when private individuals, government officials, or organizations remove books from libraries, school reading lists, or bookstore shelves because they object to their content, ideas, or themes. Those advocating a ban complain typically that the book in question contains graphic violence, expresses disrespect for parents and family, is sexually explicit, exalts evil, lacks literary merit, is unsuitable for a particular age group, or includes offensive language.

Book banning is the most widespread form of censorship in the United States, with children’s literature being the primary target.

—Webb, S. L. (2009). Book Banning. The First Amendment Encyclopedia. https://www.mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/986/book-banning