Banned/Challenged

Sendak, M. (1970). In The Night Kitchen. New York: Harper and Row. 

This book is banned for the nudity of a the small boy.  In one illustration it is almost clear that the child has been circumsized.  For young children reading with their parents, this book is a fun read.  It rhymes and it stems from the imagination of a small child’s dreams.  He dreams of landing into the baker’s bread in response to their calls for milk.  Then becomes the hero as he retrieves milk and finishes the recipe.  In a public facility, the book may not be appropriate to share with groups of children due to the nudity.  

Steig, W. (1987). Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. New York: Aladdin Picture Books.

Sylvester is a curious little donkey who stumbles upon a magical red pebble and incidences foolishly result in his wish that he would be a rock.  For a long time Sylvester remains a rock and realizes how dearly his misses his family.  The story gives some insight as to what life as a rock must be like and readers will be thoroughly relieved at the ending of the story (hint, hint).  The book has been banned because there are pigs in the story characterized as policemen.  I wouldn’t hesitate to share the story in a classroom because the positive impact of the language and writing used by William Steig far outweighs the negative impact children may experience witnessing pigs dressed as policemen. 

Picture Books - All Ages

Lesser, R. (1984). Hansel and Gretel. New York: Penguin Group.

This version of Hansel and Gretel is illustrated by Caldecott Medal winner Paul O. Zelinsky.  This book was awarded Caldecott Honor.  The illustrations are very detailed and depict the characters and setting as might be imagined in a very traditional telling of the story.  The story itself is violent and disturbing as the mother convinces the father to bring the children in the forest and abandon them.  It is heartbreaking when the children find their way home and the illustrations show the children with arms outreached to their parents in joy and their mother scowls in return.  The story is the most traditional version of Hansel and Gretel including the witch who lives in the house made of candy and other sweet treats and the stones Hansel uses to find his way home.  This is a must-read version but not appropriate for the youngest readers. (Grade 1 and up). 

Isadora, R. (2009). Hansel and Gretel. New York: Putnam Juvenile.

Illustrated and written by Rachel Isadora, this version of Hansel and Gretel is set in Africa.  With bright African colors, characters, and costume, this twist on the European Hansel and Gretel is refreshing and provides a multicultural slant.  The story is traditional in the sense that Hansel and Gretel are abandoned by their parents, find the candy cottage with the witch, and escape the oven.  (Kindergarten and up).  

Raczka, B. (2010). Guyku: A Year of Haiku for Boys. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 

This book of haiku poems for boys is illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds and showcases haiku poetry for the seasons.  Each season includes five or six poems that describe and portray the activities young boys like to do.  The book is a great tool for modeling poetry and is fun to read.  (Kindergarten and up). 

Nelson, S.D. (2010). Black Elk’s Vision: A Lakota Story. New York: Abrams.

Black Elk has a vision at an early age that he is unable to understand, process, or share with his tribe.  He keeps it to himself until it becomes clear that the people need to hear his vision as it contains words of inspiration and wisdom which could be light in a moment of dark peril.  The book contains several photographs which document the era and bring the book to live while grounding it in history.  Black Elk becomes a member of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show and travels to New York City and abroad until he returns home a few years later.  As he ages and matures his message finally resonates with him and becomes the motto for how he lives his life.  Highly informative and told from the perspective of a Native American at a time when Native Americans were gathered onto reservations against their will, this book is sure to captivate readers of all ages.  (Grades 3 and up). 

Polacco, P. (2009). January’s Sparrow. New York: Penguin Group. 

This is heart-wringing story of a young girl’s family as they travel the Underground Railroad.  It begins with a slave named January who carves a sparrow for the young girl, named Sadie.  Readers may be appalled to read and see what happens to January through the text and illustrations.  When Sadie’s family begins their journey the wooden sparrow is left behind.  This story is written in the dialect of the slave families and the content of the story is emotional and best shared with older elementary or middle school students. (Grade 5 and up).  

Tingle, T. (2010). Saltypie: A Choctaw Journey from Darkness into Light. El, Paso, Texas: Cinco Puntos Press.

This non-fiction book written by a Choctaw member about his grandmother portrays a modern Native American family.  The title “Saltypie,” compromises the pain and turmoil usually accompanied by discrimination when the boys grandmother teaches him how to use it to ease difficult situations.  The boy is also surprised to learn of his grandmother’s blindness and learns of a subtle method she uses to cope with the disability.  The book is honest and pleasant to read.  (Grade 2 and up).

Sendak, M. (1970). In The Night Kitchen. New York: Harper and Row. 

This book is banned for the nudity of a the small boy.  In one illustration it is almost clear that the child has been circumsized.  For young children reading with their parents, this book is a fun read.  It rhymes and it stems from the imagination of a small child’s dreams.  He dreams of landing into the baker’s bread in response to their calls for milk.  Then becomes the hero as he retrieves milk and finishes the recipe.  In a public facility, the book may not be appropriate to share with groups of children due to the nudity.  

Steig, W. (1987). Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. New York: Aladdin Picture Books.

Sylvester is a curious little donkey who stumbles upon a magical red pebble and incidences foolishly result in his wish that he would be a rock.  For a long time Sylvester remains a rock and realizes how dearly his misses his family.  The story gives some insight as to what life as a rock must be like and readers will be thoroughly relieved at the ending of the story (hint, hint).  The book has been banned because there are pigs in the story characterized as policemen.  I wouldn’t hesitate to share the story in a classroom because the positive impact of the language and writing used by William Steig far outweighs the negative impact children may experience witnessing pigs dressed as policemen. 

A Place for Grace. (1993). Written by Jean Davies Okimoto.  Illustrated by Doug Keith.  Told from the perspective of a dog who wants to be recognized as a seeing dog, this is a story about an unlikely friendship and how a deaf man goes through great lengths to help this determined dog.  

A Sick Day for Amos McGee. (2010). Written by Philip C. Stead.  Illustrated by Erin E. Stead.  An adorable story about a zookeeper and the friends who visit him when he is sick in bed. 

city dog, country frog. (2010). Written by Mo Willems.  Illustrated by Jon J. Muth.  This book is a sweet story about the friendship formed between a frog and dog with illustrations that complement the text wonderfully.  

Farm. (2010). Written and illustrated by Elisha Cooper.  A real-life portrayal of a farm in the 21st century including the regular cows, pigs, and sheep and also the cell phones and farming technology that makes mass productions of food possible.

Fairy Wings. (1995). Written by Lauren A. Mills.  Illustrated by Dennis Nolan.  This is an adorable story of a fairy born without wings and therefore set apart from all the other fairies.  She befriends a rat, crow, and frog because they accept her for who she is and then she meets someone who changes everything. 

Hip-Pocket Papa. (2010). Written by Sandra Markle.  Illustrated by Alan Marks.  This realistic fictional story teaches readers about hip-pocket frog and is complete with a glossary and notes about the frog at the end of the story.  

Mirror Mirror. (2010). Written by Marilyn Singer.  Illustrated by Josée Masse.  This book of poems about fairy tales is a clever demonstration of how poetry can sometimes be read down or up and have significant meaning.  

The Cow on the Roof. (2006). Written by Eric Maddern.  Illustrated by Paul Hess.  A story about a husband and wife who reverse roles for the day resulting in a cow on the roof.  

Fairy Tales/Folklore- Grades 3-5

Gidwitz, A. (2010). A Tale Dark & Grimm. New York: Dutton Children’s Books.

This is an unusual take on Hansel and Gretel and incorporates many of the events and details of other fairy tales as well.  Hansel and Gretel run away from unthoughtful parents, to put it very mildly, and find themselves on many other adventures, several of which include dropping small items to help find their way back such as lentils or white stones.  The narrator is clever and humorous, constantly interrupting the book to warn readers.  Hansel and Gretel defy the devil, slay a dragon, and free many trapped souls.  By the end, readers will surely be convinced that only courage, not the love of parents, can help heros overcome evil.  (Grade 3 and up). 

Informational - Grades 3-5

Carson, M.K. (2010). The Bat Scientists. New York: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children.

The author of this book set out to reverse the damage done by previous children’s books that have scared people away from bats due to the negative imagery.  This book is informational, promotes bats in a scientific and factual manner, and teaches readers how to help bats as bats are suffering a decline in population for unknown reasons.  The photographs by Tom Uhlman are unbiased photos taken of bats in their habitats and exhibiting healthy behaviors.  The photographs and captions provide a hook for readers and the writing is very informative.  (Grades 3 and up).

Sidman, J. (2010). Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature’s Survivors. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 

This book is half poems, half informational essays.  The poetry is flowing and rythmic, making the book easy to read and share with youngsters.  The informational sections are full of facts and details about life forms which have survived the enormous changes brought about since the beginning of life.  The illustrations are beautiful, spreading across pages and allowing the poems to flow through them.  The book is created with sparks of information for all readers from the very young who will appreciate the colors and rhythmic poem to the older learners who will appreciate the immense amounts of information about life that has beat the odds.  (Grade 3 and up).

Informational- Grades 9-12

Bartoletti, S.C. (2010). They Called Themselves The K.K.K.: THe Birth of an American Terrorist Group. New York: Houghton Mifflin.

Susan Campbell Bartoletti is an author to remember.  Her writing is fairly neutral and she includes several pictures and documentations of the time period in order to support her writing.  This book is set in the years following the Civil War, a time period likely skimmed over in most text-books but a time period that put into place many things we still see today.  The reconstruction of the South was nearly lost as President Andrew Johnson seemingly sided with the South and ignored the violent actions of the Ku Klux Klan, which means literally and foolishly, “circle circle.” The Freedman’s Bureau, meant to protect and stabilize the transitions in the South found struggle and opposition instead.  However, in the face of so much opposition, black Americans made progress.  This is the story of their struggle and explains the beginning of a long and treacherous path for the South. (Grades 5 and up).

Informational - Grades 5-8

Bartoletti, S.C. (2010). They Called Themselves The K.K.K.: THe Birth of an American Terrorist Group. New York: Houghton Mifflin.

Susan Campbell Bartoletti is an author to remember.  Her writing is fairly neutral and she includes several pictures and documentations of the time period in order to support her writing.  This book is set in the years following the Civil War, a time period likely skimmed over in most text-books but a time period that put into place many things we still see today.  The reconstruction of the South was nearly lost as President Andrew Johnson seemingly sided with the South and ignored the violent actions of the Ku Klux Klan, which means literally and foolishly, “circle circle.” The Freedman’s Bureau, meant to protect and stabilize the transitions in the South found struggle and opposition instead.  However, in the face of so much opposition, black Americans made progress.  This is the story of their struggle and explains the beginning of a long and treacherous path for the South. (Grades 5 and up).

Biography - Grades 9-12

Freedman, R. (2010).  Lafayette and the American Revolution. New York: Holiday House.

Lafayette is a french marquis who is struck by the struggle of Americans to free themselves from the taxation and control of the British.  Lafayette goes against the ruling of his country and abandons his family to join the revolutionary cause.  The book is a 2011 Robert F. Sibert Informational Honor Book and for good reason.  It is easy to read and flows smoothly.  The illustrations and photo documents of treaties make the information more tangible and pertinent to the reader.  This book captures an unknown friend of George Washington and brings him to light as his role may have been one of the most important influences of the American victory.  (Grades 5 and up).

Biography- Grades 5 - 8

Freedman, R. (2010).  Lafayette and the American Revolution. New York: Holiday House.

Lafayette is a french marquis who is struck by the struggle of Americans to free themselves from the taxation and control of the British.  Lafayette goes against the ruling of his country and abandons his family to join the revolutionary cause.  The book is a 2011 Robert F. Sibert Informational Honor Book and for good reason.  It is easy to read and flows smoothly.  The illustrations and photo documents of treaties make the information more tangible and pertinent to the reader.  This book captures an unknown friend of George Washington and brings him to light as his role may have been one of the most important influences of the American victory.  (Grades 5 and up).

Graphic Novels - Grades 9-12

Satrapi, Marjane. (2003). Persepolis. L'Association: Paris, France.

Persepolis is an eye-opening graphic novel memoir about a young girl growing up in Tehran, Iran in the late 1970s and early 1980s.  Rather than an isolated story about a girl growing up under a repressive regime, Persepolis enlightens readers through a character who is attempting to understand politics, religion, and philosophy while simultaneously attempting to discover her own identity.  For the first time, I was able to understand the broad political dynamics of Iran and even dialectic materialism.  This memoir and graphic novel is a must read for every young adult.

Shiga, J. (2010). Meanwhile. New York: Abrams. 

A light story with innumerable paths to follow.  The story on its own has little depth or character development but for older reluctant readers, especially boys, this book may be just the hook to reading.  Readers follow a boy as he interrupts a scientist and plays with the inventions at whim.  His manners and behaviors are crude and the events can be distasteful.  The story is entertaining simply because it provides choice and gives the reader freedom.  (Grade 7 and up).

Fantasy: 3-5

Schlitz, Laura Amy. (2010). The Night Fairy. Candlewick Press: Somerville, MA.

         Flory is a young night fairy, determined to live during the day due to a bad night-time experience which cost her wings and rendered her unable to fly. She forces herself to stay awake during the day and befriends a squirrel, Skuggle.  Flory and Skuggle exchange services.  Flory takes rides on Skuggle's back and Skuggle learns from Flory where tasty food may be found.  One day Flory finds a hummingbird trapped in a spider web and realizes how wonderful it would be to own the hummingbird and ride wherever she might like on the back of that small bird, but when she attempts to free the bird in exchange for the bird's lifelong services, the bird refuses.  The bird maintains her free-will and employs Flory to save her eggs instead.  This is the story of unlikely friendships in a place no night-fairy should go.  Beautifully told and illustrated, it is the perfect story for a child who enjoys nature and imagination.  (Grades 2 and up).

Turner, Megan Whalen. (1996). The Thief. HarperCollins Children's Books: New York, NY.

        Gen is taken from prison to serve the king's magus who wants him to steal Hamiathes's Gift.  The Gift ensures the holder immortality, but to carry it is a great burden.  Gen travels with these "overeducated adventurers" as he refers to them at one point, and through verbal jabs and minor debates, attempts to earn a rightful place among his guards.  Told in the first person, Gen's narrative is thought-provoking and endearing.  Readers are sure to wonder whether they should trust Gen, a professional thief, and at the same time love him dearly.  It is clear that Gen is very intelligent throughout the story even though he is consistently jeered at by his captors.  In the end, Gen finds himself trapped in a timed water maze and unsure of whether he has what it takes to approach the Gods and steal the Gift.  The book ends with a wonderful twist of events and is written in clever prose.  (Grades 4 and up).

Banks, L. R. (1998). The Key to the Indian. New York: Avalon Books, Inc.

This is the fifth and final book in a series about a boy who discovers a magic cupboard and key that will bring his miniature toys to life.  The first and most profound toy is a little Indian, an Iroquois named Little Bear.  By the fifth book in the series Omri’s dad has found out Omri’s secret and together they team up to travel back and help Little Bear and the Iroquois.  Omri and his dad accidently travel with Gillon, Omri’s brother.  Omri and Gillon end up in India as wooden puppets being uncomfortably moved about and recklessly displayed by children.  From here the story is one nonstop adventure.  It is just as thrilling for an adult as it is for a child.  While not meant to be educational or even historically accurate, and written very stereotypically, if the reader is aware and able to put these things aside, the story is thrilling entertainment. (Grade 3 and up).

. 

Gaiman, N. (2008). The Graveyard Book. New York: Harper Collins Children’s Books.

As mother of a one year old boy, this book could have been potentially horrifying and for those whom I described it to, it was.  But it needs to be read for people to understand how a story of murder can be acceptable for children.  In the midst of it all a small child scoots down the stairs on a padded bum and crawls out to the cemetery.  In the cemetery he finds the ghosts of Mr. and Mrs. Owens and a dark, hidden man named Silas.  In moments of horror the two ghosts agree to be the child’s parents and Silas his guardian.  For he needs someone, Silas, to find food for him and to educate him in the ways of the world and he needs parents to raise him and love him.  From these three he gets what he needs and lives in the graveyard, beyond all belief, for fourteen years.  This story is fascinating in only a way Neil Gaiman can write it and believable for the perspective embedded in the story of a child living in a graveyard.  Simply a must-read.  (Grades 3 and up). 

Martin, A., Godwin, L. (2000). The Doll People. New York: Scholastic, Inc.

This book is illustrated by Brian Selznick who also wrote and illustrated The Inventions of Hugo Cabret.  Annabelle doll and her family have lived for one hundred years with one family in their dollhouse.  For one hundred years they have not strayed from the dollhouse, all except for Auntie Sarah, who went missing forty five years ago.  Something stirs in eight-year old Annabelle doll and she goes searching.  She finds her Auntie Sarah’s diary.  And then she meets Tiffany Funcraft.  Tiffany has moved into the bedroom nextdoor and has lots of spunk and energy.  Together, they make a plan to evade Doll State, Permanent Doll State, and The Captain (the cat) in order to find Auntie Sarah.

Milne, A.A. (1926). Winnie-the-Pooh. New York: Puffin Books.

This is the classic story of Winnie-the-Pooh and Christopher Robin.  It begins with the narrator telling a story to his son, Christopher Robin.  The narrator inserts Christopher Robin into the story so that his son enjoys listening to a story about himself and his stuffed animals who take on lives and personalities of their own.  Readers are first introduced to Winnie-the-Pooh as he comes thumping down the stairs behind Christopher Robin and then the book is broken into ten chapters with different events about the interactions and imaginings of the animals.  Winnie-the-Pooh is driven more by his stomach than by any other body part and so most of his decisions are based on how he can get some honey to eat.  Piglet, is as named, a piglet who prefers to be dirty and is not very brave.  Rabbit is busy and sometimes not as genuine as he may sound to Winnie-the-Pooh and rather finds ways to move Pooh along.  Owl, a self-proclaimed genius and therefore considered so by all his friends, actually cannot even spell.  While he uses long words and sounds intelligent, it is left up to the reader to decide how much of a genius he really is.  The combination of these characters brings them into predicaments that only Christopher Robin can lead them out of and into comfort again.

Science Fiction: 5-8

Stead, R. (2009). When You Reach Me. New York: Random House Children’s Books.  

The summary given by the Library of Congress is as follows: “As her mother prepares to be a contestant on the 1970s television game show, “The $20,000 Pyramid,” a twelve-year-old New York City girl tries to make sense of a series of mysterious notes received from an anonymous source that seems to defy the laws of space and time.”  From the clues and hints throughout the book an adult reader may be able to identify the mysterious character.  I regret that I had not had the opportunity to read this as a child - it introduces time travel and it’s complexities in a way that may be difficult or simplified for a child to understand.  Miranda constantly refers to A Wrinkle In Time throughout the story and aligns events in her life with the events in the book.  The book is well-written and embraces the perspective of a young adult trying to find her place among friends and confusing events. (Grade 5 and up). 

Science Fiction: 3-5

Fox, H. (2004). Eager. New York: Random House Children’s Books.

EGR3 is a secretly designed robot who actually has feelings and a conscious.  When The Bells’ old robot, Grumps becomes a bit senile and confused at times, the Bells begin the search for a new robot and find EGR3.  Fleur, Gavin, and EGR3 alternate perspectives in the telling of this story.  Fleur’s friend Marcia has the latest robot, a BDC4, almost ready to mass-marketed but Gavin notices suspicious behavior by the BDC4 and shares his concerns with Fleur and EGR3.  Together, the friends investigate the inklings and discover something horrifying and beyond the scope of their imaginations.  (Grade 3 and up). 

Contemporary Realism: 3-5

Angleberger, T. (2010). The Strange Case of Origami Yoda. New York: Amulet Books.

This lighthearted book is a collection of case files collected and analyzed by the main character, Tommy and his friend Harvey.  The boys, especially Tommy, are questioning whether the advice given by an origami Yoda is real when the origami was created and seemingly puppeteered by geeky friend named Dwight.  Dwight has outstanding social issues which are nonexistent when Origami Yoda is conversing.  The book is hilarious and filled with the ideas and struggles of prepubescent boys trying to figure out how they fit in.  Origami Yoda is a wonderful creation and bound to capture the attention of some reluctant readers.  (Grade 3 and up).   

O’Connor, B. (2010). The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester. New York: Frances Foster Books.

This is an adventure story about a boy who captures a frog and the extreme measures he is willing to take to keep the frog happy.  An antagonist, Viola, becomes a source of information and safety and eventually a special friendship forms over a unique experience in the pond.  O’Connor writes in a method bound to keep struggling or reluctant readers reading through repetition and her hero’s determination. (Grade 3 and up).