Censored Books

At the Community Library Network, the discussion around censored children's books has sparked an important debate about the role of parents in deciding what their children should read. While some titles that tackle themes such as race, gender identity, and complex family dynamics are often challenged, it's crucial to recognize that parents are in the best position to understand their children's individual needs and maturity levels.

Supporters of diverse literature argue that these books foster empathy and understanding, offering essential mirrors and windows into the lives of others. However, many believe that key decisions about reading material should rest with parents, who can assess the appropriateness of content based on their values and their child's development. This perspective emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in guiding children's reading experiences, ensuring that the literature they engage with aligns with the family’s beliefs while still encouraging open-mindedness and critical thinking. Balancing access to diverse stories with parental oversight fosters an environment where children can explore important topics while feeling supported and understood.

See the current list of censored childrens books below.

Children’s Books with Distance Due Dates:

Book Title                                                Due Date         Reason for censoring

1)     Answers on the Pages                          12/8                Book banning, LGBTQ

2)     A day in the Life of Marlon Bundy       11/30               LGBTQ

3)     A Game of Fox and Squirrels (3 copies) 12/8               Magic

4)     Aafred and Aalbert                               11/30               LGBTQ Aardvarks

5)     Bathe the Cat (3 copies)                       11/30              Two Dads, ethnically diverse family

6)     Becoming Brianna (2 copies)               11/24               Brianne has a lesbian aunt

7)     Bodies are Cool                                    12/8                 Diverse bodies, acceptance, trans

8)     Bunnybear (2 copies)                           11/30, 12/2      A bear that wants to be a bunny

9)     Butterfly Child (3 copies)               2-11/30, 1-12/2     Small child dresses like a butterfly

10)  Drama (4 copies)                                  11/24              LGBTQ+ characters

11)  Families (2 copies)                                11/30              Includes same sex parents

12)  Flight of the Puffin                               12/8                Non-binary character

13)  Flo Fights Back                                      12/8               Trans character

14)  Fred Gets Dressed                                11/30              Boy puts on his Mom’s clothes

15)  From Archie to Zach                             11/30              LGBTQ+ characters    

16)  George                                                  12/8                Trans

17)  Glad, Glad Bear (2 copies)                    11/30, 12/2     Bear goes to ballet class

18)  Harriet Gets Carried Away                    12/2                Two Dads

19)  Heads and Tails                                    11/16              ???

20)  Home at Last (2 copies)                       11/30              Two Dads

21)  I am Jazz                                               11/30              Trans

22)  I Love My Purse                                    11/30              Boy likes his purse

23)  In Our Mothers’ House                        11/30              Two Moms

24)  Julian is a Mermaid              (2 copies) 11/30              Boy makes a mermaid costume

25)  Kapaemahu                                          11/30              Indigenous 2 Spirits

26)  Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress  11/30   Boy wears a dress

27)  My Footprints                                       11/30              Two Moms/Vietnamese

28)  My Two Dads                                        11/30             Two Dads

29)  Oz: Volume One                                    12/14             ???

30)  Pink is for Boys                                      12/2               Boys can wear pink

33)Prince and Knight                                  11/30              LGBTQ themed

34) Rock Your Mocs                                    11/24              Indigenous Pride

35) Stella Batts: a case of the meanies        12/8               Two Dads

36) Stella Batts: broken birthday                 12/8               Two Dads

37)Stella Batts: hair today, gone tomorrow 12/8              Two Dads

38) Stella Batts: pardon me                         12/8               Two Dads

39) Stella Batts: who’s in charge                12/8                Two Dads

40) Stella Batts: brings the family              11/30              Two Dads

41) The Best Bed for Me (2 copies)            11/30             Two Moms

42) The Girls (2 copies)                       1-7/15 1-11/30       Four girls are best friends

43) The Legend of Auntie Po (3 copies) 11/30, 12,8, 12/9  Immigration, Race, LGBTQ

44) List of Things that Will Not Change (2 copies) 11/30  Girl’s father marries a man

45) The Only Black Girls I Town (2 copies)   12/8                Race

46) The Turnaway Girls (2 copies)                12/8               Magic

47) You-ology ( 4 copies) 2-                     11/30  2-12/2         Includes LGBTQ+