10 Banned Classic Books that Still Matter Today

Every year, Banned Books Week (October 5–11, 2025) highlights efforts to censor, restrict, or remove books from libraries, schools, and bookstores. Banned Books Week began in 1982, thanks to librarian and free-speech advocate Judith Krug, after a sharp rise in book challenges across the country.

Book banning is hardly ever just about "obscenity" or "offensiveness"; it usually comes from the discomfort with the political, racial, religious, or ideological ideas in a book. Ironically, some of the most challenged titles are also among the most beloved and widely read. Personally, I see these "discomforts" as valuable chances for discussion and growth.

When we homeschooled, many banned books became part of our reading lists. Even though some of them had been "banned,” they carried valuable lessons we could discuss as a family. Reading Animal Farm alongside our study of World War II helped us see how a dictatorship can slowly take root. To Kill a Mockingbird, during our Civil Rights unit, reminded us of the importance of justice and of loving our neighbor. And Fahrenheit 451 sparked discussions about the value of free speech, faith, and the danger of silencing truth.

From our homeschool reading list and my personal bookshelf, here’s my recommended list of 10 classics from the 20th century that have faced bans or challenges over the years, along with reasons why they continue to resonate today.

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10 Popular but "Banned" Classics in the 20th Century

1984 by George Orwell (1949)

• Why it was banned: Censored for its political themes, bleak view of society, and critiques of both communism and authoritarianism.
• Why it's worth reading: Its warnings about surveillance, truth, and power remain strikingly relevant in today’s age of digital tracking and “fake news.”

Animal Farm by George Orwell (1945)

• Why it was banned: Suppressed for its satirical allegory of revolution and its critique of dictatorship, especially during the Cold War.
• Why it's worth reading: It remains a powerful fable about corruption, propaganda, and how even noble revolutions can betray themselves.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960)

• Why it was banned: Targeted for racial slurs, strong language, and its honest portrayal of racial inequality in the Jim Crow South.
• Why it's worth reading: It continues to challenge readers to reflect on justice, empathy, and the importance of loving our neighbor.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (1951)

• Why it was banned: Frequently removed for profanity, sexual references, and its anti-authority stance.
• Why it's worth reading: Its raw voice captures teenage alienation and grief in a way that resonates across generations.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (1939)

• Why it was banned: Condemned for its vulgar language, sexual references, and political themes that some called “socialist.”
• Why it's worth reading: It paints a vivid picture of hardship during the Great Depression while emphasizing human dignity, perseverance, and justice.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925)

• Why it was banned: Occasionally challenged for sexual references, drinking, and coarse language.
• Why it's worth reading: It remains a brilliant portrait of the American Dream—its allure, its illusions, and its emptiness.

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller (1961)

• Why it was banned: Criticized for profanity, sexual content, and its antiwar stance during the Vietnam era.
• Why it's worth reading: Its dark humor and absurdity expose the contradictions of war and bureaucracy, offering timeless social critique.

Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut (1969)

• Why it was banned: Banned for profanity, sexual scenes, and its unflinching depiction of the horrors of war.
• Why it's worth reading: It blends satire and sorrow to confront trauma, fate, and the cost of human conflict, making it one of the most important antiwar novels.

The Call of the Wild by Jack London (1903)

• Why it was banned: Censored for its violence, “uncivilized” themes, and portrayal of survival outside of social order.
• Why it is worth reading: Its story of resilience and instinct still resonates as an allegory for freedom, endurance, and finding one’s true nature.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (1953)

• Why it was banned: Ironically, this novel about book burning has been challenged for offensive language and themes critical of authority.
• Why it's worth reading: It underscores the danger of censorship, the fragility of truth, and the vital role of literature and faith in preserving freedom. 
  
  

Why Reading Banned Classics Still Matter

These classics were banned for all kinds of reasons—harsh language, uncomfortable topics, political ideas, or simply because they made people uneasy. But that’s also what makes them so valuable. Reading a so-called “banned” book isn’t about agreeing with everything in it—it’s about asking questions, having conversations, and seeing life from another perspective. These stories help us grow in empathy, wrestle with tough ideas, and even recognize where our faith and values stand in contrast to the world’s.

In a time when political and social divides run deep, these books remind us that stories can still bring people together. They spark conversations that challenge our thinking, stretch our empathy, and help us see the world—and each other—with new eyes. Rather than silencing them, we can use these classics as tools for reflection, dialogue, and even faith, allowing their lessons to point us toward truth, justice, and hope.