Marshall University does not ban books! The information is provided to let people know what has been banned/challenged elsewhere.
2022
During hearings for Georgia’s SB 226 which would remove school librarians from the reviewing book challenges and let school principals and school boards be the only decision makers, Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale was one of the books singled out by parents as objectionable. Noelle Kahaian informed the Senate Judiciary Committee that Atwood’s award-winning dystopian novel was “garbage” and expressed dismay that the graphic novel adaptation makes it even more accessible to juvenile audiences. Another parent testified that her request to ban The Handmaid’s Tale was rejected by a panel of staff and parents that met in the school library. “Every school district is exhibiting obscene materials to minors,” she said. Julia Bernath, president of the Fulton County School Board, provided details about the book challenge process for her district and stated that the parent who objected to The Handmaid’s Tale did not follow the process through to the end. SB 226 was withdrawn from consideration by the House on March 31, 2021.
2020
Banned and challenged for profanity and for “vulgarity and sexual overtones.”
This classic novel was included on a reading list before the beginning of a twelfth-grade advanced placement literature and composition class at a north Atlanta suburb’s high school in Georgia. A student’s mother forbade him from choosing the book. Alleging “porn and gore and cursing,” the mother wanted the book removed from the high school and held prayer circles outside the library while a committee of more than a dozen staff, administrators, and parents discussed the item. Retained.
This dystopian novel was offered as a curriculum choice to students in an elective high school English class in Marietta (OH). Two complaints were filed alleging vulgarity and sexual overtones, although school officials believed the cited passages did not reflect the context of the novel. The school board voted to retain the book in the curriculum.
2018
Retained on Wyomissing (PA) High School’s summer reading list of books recommended for juniors and seniors, after a group of parents attempted to get the novel removed because of vulgar language and graphic depictions of sex. At a curriculum and technology committee meeting with the acting superintendent, administrators decided to retain the book and develop additional options for families who choose not to read it.
2014
Challenged, but retained as required reading for a Page High School International Baccalaureate class and as optional reading for Advanced Placement reading courses at Grimsley High School in Guilford County (NC) because the book is “sexually explicit, violently graphic and morally corrupt.” Some parents thought the book is “detrimental to Christian values.”
2013
Challenged as required reading for a Page High School International Baccalaureate class and as optional reading for Advanced Placement reading courses at Grimsley High School in Guilford County (NC) because the book is “sexually explicit, violently graphic and morally corrupt.”
2007
The Judson (TX) school board overturned the superintendent’s ban of the novel from an advanced placement English curriculum. The review committee of students, teachers and parents had appealed the ban to the school board.
2006
The Judson (TX) school board overturned the superintendent’s ban of the novel from an advanced placement English curriculum.
2002
Challenged in Texas due to description’s of sexual encounters.
2001
Downgraded from “required” to “optional” for the 11th grade summer reading list in Upper Moreland (PA) school district for age inappropriate subject matter.
On These Pages
A Banned book has been removed from a library, classroom, etc.
A Challenged book has been requested to be removed from a library, classroom, etc.
For additional information contact
Ron Titus, titus@marshall.edu
304-696-6575
Last updated
August 24, 2022