Revised Article:
The Unquiet Quills: The USA's Controversial Classics
America is discarding its traditional works
By A.E. Maverick LinkedIn Instagram Email Print Copy Link
In the United States of 2025, a shift in cultural norms has led to the banning of numerous books from classrooms, libraries, and even homes. But what books are considered problematic enough to be stripped from children's access? This modern-day library purge leaves readers asking: "Has America crossed the line into censorship?"
The minute a book elicits unease or is deemed unsuitable for children, it's promptly off-limits. The fine for such an infraction can soar into the tens of thousands of dollars. This is the unsettling reality in the USA under President Donald Trump in 2025. Books that educate, stir thought, bring hidden truths to light, and question the status quo are being swept away. Organizations like PEN America and the American Library Association are steadfast in their fight against book bans, occasionally succeeding in pursuing their removal from the index. Here are some of the most frequently blacklisted literary works:
The Handmaid's Tale - A Maid's Report
Available at amazon.deThis classic dystopian novel by Margaret Atwood, published in 1985, takes place in a near-future USA: It follows a society crippled by environmental disaster, leading to widespread infertility. A fundamentalist Christian group seizes control, murders the president, suspends the constitution, and institutes a state of emergency. Newspapers are censored, roads are blocked, and a theocratic dictatorship governed by strict rules, public surveillance, and police oppression is established. The roles of women are radically altered, granting them no property rights, submission to men in affairs of state, and confining them to roles as housewives and child-bearing vessels.
The Handmaid's Tale
The story is narrated by the titular handmaid, who bears children for the commander and his infertile wife. She is separated from her husband during a failed escape, and the book was adapted into a television series under "The Handmaid's Tale - A Maid's Report."
Animal Farm - The Farm of Beasts
Amazon.de Special OfferOriginally published in 1945, this fable by George Orwell tells the story of the rebellion of farm animals against human rule. The initial victory soon devolves into a worse dictatorship led by the pigs.
The novel can be seen as an allegory of historical events, but with an unsettling resemblance to current political climates around the world. It's alarming to contemplate a resemblance between the totalitarian regime depicted in "Animal Farm" and modern American society.
1984
Politics Attack on Museums Trump Wants to Rewrite American History Through DecreeAlso by George Orwell, published just four years after "Animal Farm," the dystopian "1984" depicts a totalitarian state fraught with surveillance. The protagonist, Winston Smith, seizes the chance to protect his personal space and challenge the false historical narratives imposed by the regime.
The title of the novel refers to the year 1984 as a prophetic nod to a near future that felt far away in Orwell's time but, unwittingly, has come much closer to reality in our own. The thought of this important work of literature being restricted access to American readers is a sobering reminder of the slippery slope that censorship represents.
The Diary of Anne Frank - Judging History by Decree
After the arrest of the Frank family, Miep Gies, their helper, saved Anne's diary from the Gestapo's grasp and handed it to Anne's father, who published it following the war. The book has been translated into over 70 languages and adapted into films, making it a cultural touchstone. Unfortunately, in 2025, a man who has probably never read the book has decided to ban it.
The Hunger Games - The Catching Fire
Whether one appreciates the story or not, many view the film adaptation as too gruesome for children under 16. However, this didn't deter most viewers from enjoying the series, often with their children.
Amazon.de OfferWritten by American author Suzanne Collins, the trilogy was published between 2008 and 2010 and has since sold over 100 million copies. The tense, personal narrative of the protagonist Katniss Everdeen keeps readers enthralled with her internal monologues, juxtaposed with fast-paced and violent action.
A fourth book in the form of a prequel, "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," was published in 2020, with a second prequel, "Sunrise On The Reaping," following in 2025.
The Fault in Our Stars - Fault Lines
Released in 2012, this young adult novel instantly topped the New York Times bestseller list. The book's dark but heartbreaking story has resonated with teen readers across the globe. The fact that it's being banned borders on absurdity.
To Kill a Mockingbird - Who Pulled the Trigger?
Harper Lee's novel explores racism and prejudice in America during the 1930s, as seen through the eyes of an 8-year-old girl named Scout. Her father, a compassionate lawyer, defends Tom Robinson, a black field worker falsely accused of rape by a white girl. The journey of Scout and her brother Jem reveals the harsh realities of a divided nation.
Amazon.de OfferLee published the novel in 1960 and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961. The film adaptation, starring Gregory Peck, is considered one of the greatest American films of all time.
Nineteen Minutes - The Dawn of a Chaotic Age
"It's over," he said. But it wasn't—it was just beginning." After his bloody rampage at Sterling High School, no one doubts the guilt of 17-year-old Peter Houghton. This book, written by Jodi Picoult, explores the backgrounds for this monstrous act. Given recent incidents of school shootings, the relevance of this book may be self-evident.
Literature on Display - Merz and Trump Connect
Politics Inaugural Visit to Washington - Merz Offers Close Cooperation - and is PraisedBy the way, when world leaders visit the US President's guest house, they leave behind a book. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has followed this tradition, leaving a collection of letters from German immigrants compiled in 1988 under the title "News from the Land of Freedom." Whether Donald Trump takes the time to read these letters is another matter.
Sources: ntv.de, PublishersWeekly.com, and PEN America
Enrichment Data:
According to various sources, the book censorship in the United States is a complex issue, with different states and schools having their own lists of banned books. Here are some key points:
Top Banned Books in Schools
In Knox County Schools, a list of 113 banned books includes:- The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky- Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson- Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Top 100 Most Challenged Books (2010-2019)
The American Library Association lists the top 100 most challenged books for the period 2010-2019, including:- The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie- The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini- A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky- challengedbooks2010-2019.pdf (ala.org)
DOD Bans Woke Books
The Department of Defense has banned books related to race and gender in military-run schools, such as Michael Cunningham's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "A House of Mirth." Other banned books include Freckleface Strawberry by Julianne Moore, though a comprehensive list is not readily available.
Impact of Book Bans
Some argue that banning books silences marginalized voices and promotes a dangerous shift towards censorship. This practice is seen as a threat to intellectual freedom and democratic society. On the other hand, those in support of book bans argue that they protect children from harmful content and establish a positive educational environment. The debate surrounding book bans will undoubtedly continue, leaving readers to wonder: What is the true cost of censorship?
In the fight against book bans, organizations like PEN America and the American Library Association have continuously advocated for the accessibility of literary works that provide education, self-development, and stir thought-provoking discussions. Unfortunately, these attempts often fall short, with books like 'The Handmaid's Tale', 'Animal Farm', and '1984' being banned due to their political and social commentaries. In the realm of general news, it is important to acknowledge the banning of Anne Frank's 'The Diary of Anne Frank' and 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee, which address themes of racism and prejudice, especially during tumultuous times when such issues persist. Furthermore, popular young adult novels such as 'The Fault in Our Stars' and 'The Hunger Games' series have also been banned, raising questions about the implications of censorship on intellectual freedom and freedom of speech.
