More than 100 schools serving military families have wiped hundreds of books off shelves due to the Department of Defense’s newest policies. These policies affect all military run bases around the world and consist of banning books, classroom discussions, events, and extracurriculars that relate to race, gender, and other “woke” ideologies. The American Civil Liberties Union has taken the DOD to court due to these unfair efforts as all students deserve access to a diverse education, and attempting to take this access away is a violation of the First Amendment.
In the meantime, consider taking a look at the list below of the 13 books that the DOD finds too “woke” and give them a read for yourself.
1. Freckleface Strawberry by Julianne Moore, Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Banned due to its themes of inclusion and diversity, Freckleface Strawberry, authored by award-winning actress Julianne Moore, was banned from all DOD schools. The story follows a young girl with bright red hair and freckles covering her face who loves to play just like most kids. Though she’s self-conscious about her freckles and her bright red hair because it sets her apart from other kids, this book shows children that our differences are what makes us special.
“You try to ban it, I read it. This is so cute and laughable that anyone would try to ban it. For any child (or adult) that has ever felt bad about something to do with their appearance, they will relate to this book.”
From Becky R. on Goodreads
2. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
To Kill a Mockingbird has become a classic in many schools since it was first released in 1960, but now, all of a sudden, it’s become a problem due to its depictions of racism and violence. Through a young girl’s innocent eyes, she watches as her lawyer father works to defend a man facing a grave injustice. Set in the American South in the 1930s, To Kill a Mockingbird discusses themes of social inequality and morality that are more important now than ever for all young people to understand.
“Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read.”
From To Kill a Mockingbird
3. Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
Banned for its portrayal of a young boy exploring his gender, Julián is a Mermaid is all about exploration of one’s imagination and gender identity. When young Julián discovers mermaids, he becomes suddenly inspired and has the urge to become one. Through Juliáns self discovery, the book explores themes of self-expression, acceptance, and the freedom to be your most authentic self.
“A book for mermaids and boys and girls and parents and teachers and booksellers and librarians and . . . aw, heck. Let’s just simplify things and say it’s a book for the human race. Lord knows there are some people out there that will need it. Let’s hope it finds the ones that need it most.”
From Betsy on Goodreads
4. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Banned for its dystopian themes of women losing their rights and anti-Christian themes, The Handmaid’s Tale has become a classic for a reason. Set in a dystopian future where women have been completely stripped of their rights and are forced into reproductive servitude, you follow one handmaid who has had enough. Through her haunting narrative, The Handmaid’s Tale explores themes of control and resistance in a way that will have you analyzing every little change the government makes towards women’s rights.
“We thought we had such problems. How were we to know we were happy?”
From The Handmaid’s Tale
5. I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
Banned for its LGBTQ+ themes, I Kissed Shara Wheeler tells the story of a straight-laced high school girl who has been tasked with unraveling the clues left behind by her classmate, Shara Wheeler. I Kissed Shara Wheeler is a fun and heartwarming young adult romance-mystery that features dyslexia representation and explores themes of self-identity, love, and the unexpected connections we form.
“This coming of age novel captures the feeling of being a messy, uncertain teenager in a small town, and all the conflicting feelings that come with that. I Kissed Shara Wheeler is an uplifting story of being unapologetically yourself and going for what you want – and finding what you need along the way.”
From theresa on Goodreads
6. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
The Color Purple is yet again another classic that is being banned due to its themes of racism and violence. This heartbreaking narrative tells the story of a Black woman who endures hardship and seeks empowerment in the harsh early 20th-century America. Through passionate, personal letters, you follow a woman who seeks sisterhood and self worth in a world that is so against Black women.
“Why any woman give a shit what people think is a mystery to me.”
From The Color Purple
7. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
Banned due to worries about it sparking racial conflict and uprising, The New Jim Crow exposes how mass incarcerations are just the new contemporary system of racial control in the United States. With Michelle Alexander’s clear research and passion, she challenges readers of all races to confront deep themes of inequality within the criminal justice system. This piece of nonfiction is one that must be kept in college and high school classrooms.
“Alexander’s scholarly study is more than convincing and, as she admits, its lesson is more than challenging. While the best and brightest of African American leaders merely provide evidence for those who insist that racism is not the problem, the future remains grim.”
From Judith on Goodreads
8. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Banned due to fears of it sparking terrorism and its themes of sexual violence, The Kite Runner follows two boys from Kabul who find their lives intertwined with one another while exploring how choices made in their youth can echo throughout their whole lives. The Kite Runner is both heartbreaking and unforgettable, and has become an instant classic.
“I want to tear myself from this place, from this reality, rise up like a cloud and float away, melt into this humid summer night and dissolve somewhere far, over the hills. But I am here, my legs blocks of concrete, my lungs empty of air, my throat burning. There will be no floating away.”
From The Kite Runner
9. The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
Banned due to its portrayal of abuse and the brutal realities that took place in a reform school in the segregated American South, The Nickel Boys sheds light on the corruption that often takes place in the criminal justice system. Similar to The New Jim Crow, Colson Whitehead highlights the cruelty that Black individuals often face, more specifically during the Jim Crow era.
“You can change the law but you can’t change people and how they treat each other.”
From The Nickel Boys
10. The Power of Style: How Fashion and Beauty Are Being Used to Reclaim Cultures by Christian Allaire
Banned for simply being too “woke”, The Power of Style brings to light how marginalized communities have been using fashion to reclaim their narratives and celebrate cultural pride. Through rich and vibrant visuals, Christian Allaire portrays the beauty and personal expression that is often lost in marginalized communities.
“There are profiles of such diverse, beautiful people who are reclaiming fashion, makeup and hair and making it so much more personal and impactful. I loved it.”
From Alicia Bayer on Goodreads
11. The Climate Book by Greta Thunberg
Banned due to Greta Thunberg’s “woke” call to action towards climate change, The Climate Book is a collection of Thunberg’s insights from activists, scientists, and experts around the world to try and bring light to the climate crisis. Thunberg brings hope to people around the world and gives them ways and reasons to fight back against what the government tells us about our current climate.
“If you’re looking for the cold, hard truth about climate change, this is the book to read. It won’t make you feel good but that’s not the point.”
From Jenna on Goodreads
12. The Untold History of the United States by Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick
Banned due to its challenges against what Americans were taught in schools about the history of the United States, Stone and Kuznick reexamine major events in American history from a more critical perspective. While examining overlooked truths and unknown narratives, Stone and Kuznick challenge the more conventional narratives we’ve been taught and encourage readers to think and examine the U.S. past and present beyond what they’ve been taught.
“Let the capitalists do their own fighting and furnish their own corpses and there will never be another war on the face of the earth.”
From The Untold History of the United States
13. Rise: A Pop History of Asian America From the Nineties to Now by Jeff Yang, Phil Yu, and Philip Yang
Banned for its “woke” ideologies relating to race and sexuality, Rise: A Pop History of Asian America From the Nineties to Now is a collection of personal stories with humor and history that explores how Asian Americans have both shaped and been shaped by American pop culture. While exploring times of celebration and progress, it also explores times of challenge, misrepresentation, and identity.
“Overall, this book gave me a lot of joy and huge amounts of appreciation for everyone in the Asian American community who have fought for these rights and visibility over the decades, and while hate crimes against Asians are on a high since the pandemic, we can’t lose hope and only work together to make more strides in the future.”
From Sahitya on Goodreads
Book bannings are growing more and more common, and it’s up to us to fight back. Buy these books. Share them. Read them. Before there’s no trace of them left.
Looking for more banned book news? Check out our article Librarians Discuss How to Fight the Dangers of Book Banning!
Find these banned books and more on our Bookshop Banned Books: Because We Stand With the Well Informed Bookshelf!
