Definition controversial book. We compile lists of challenged books in order to inform the public about censorship efforts that affect libraries and schools. Aug 1, 2025 · The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) has been documenting attempts to ban books in libraries and schools since 1990. An inquiry that has judgmental overtones. BBW highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States. Discover the meaning of controversial, what controversial means, and how to use controversial correctly. There are a number of reasons for why a book ends up banned, but it usually implies that someone has imposed their own morals and values into a work and want to keep those books away from certain institutions or places. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Browse the use examples 'controversial book' in the great English corpus. The ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) receives reports from libraries, schools, and the media on attempts to ban books in communities across the country. In fact, an all-time high of nearly 1,500 bans were put in place during the first half of the 2022-2023 school year. Aug 28, 2025 · Norwalk Navigating Controversial Literature: A Research Guide on Banned Books What is Book Banning? "Book banning, a form of censorship, occurs when private individuals, government officials, or organizations remove books from libraries, school reading lists, or bookstore shelves because they object to their content, ideas, or themes. Sep 18, 2025 · Banned and Challenged Books Why? Essentially, certain books are banned or challenged because they contain controversial or difficult ideas or information. Summary: controversial in Brief The term 'controversial' [ˌkɑːntrəˈvɜːrʃl] refers to something that causes disagreement or discussion, and is likely to produce controversy. List of frequently asked questions on banned and challenged books Banning Books: Overview Introduction The practice of challenging or banning books has long been a strategy used to label reading materials as offensive on moral, religious, or political grounds. From books challenged by the government to books pulled from library shelves, we explore some of the most famous "banned" books in U. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. That same year, the Puritan government in Quincy, Massachusetts, banned it because they Learn the definition of 'controversial book'. Here is a selective timeline of book bannings, burnings, and other censorship activities. New English Canaan ' s title page During the 17th century, a typical form of book censorship in the United States was book burning. Jul 1, 2025 · The book—both a New York Times bestseller and the sixth-most banned book of 2020—includes an appendix for parents and caregivers, with guidance for discussing racial bias and injustice with children. net dictionary. A book is also considered banned if an authority removes a book from a library, school, or bookstore without going through the official process because they (or someone else) object to the book’s content or they are afraid that someone might object to it and wish to avoid controversy. Jun 4, 2024 · We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Jul 3, 2024 · Some books have been repeatedly banned or challenged throughout history. Books have been and continue to be challenged and banned for many reasons. g, libraries), by their destruction (including the Jun 10, 2024 · The term "book ban" is used a lot in media and elsewhere when addressing the rise in challenges to certain books being allowed in schools and public libraries. Apr 9, 2025 · This guide contains information on electronic and print resources for studying banned books, and the history of censorship. com Aug 8, 2023 · Book banning, the most widespread form of censorship, occurs when private individuals, government officials or organizations remove books from libraries, school reading lists or bookstore shelves because they object to their content, ideas or themes. [1] Catholic states could enact laws to adapt or adopt the list and enforce it. But, what exactly does that mean? Here's a definition of book banning. ” The American Library Association builds upon this saying, “A book is banned when it is entirely removed from a collection in response to a formal or informal What is a book ban? What is the history of banning books? We answer frequently asked questions about book bans. The rally protested About Banned & Challenged Books Does ALA ban books? No. Books can be banned for numerous reasons including explicit content, controversial ideas, challenging societal norms or deemed offensive to certain religions or political regimes. " The American Library Association offers more detail to the conversation, by discussing challenged and banned books: Book bans have escalated to a frightening degree in America. [2] Books have been censored by authoritarian Oct 2, 2025 · By definition, censorship is the suppression of words, images, or ideas that are found to be "offensive". It has been included in many lists of best books, such as Time 's List of the 100 Best Novels, Le Monde 's 100 Books of the Century, Bokklubben World Library, Modern Library's 100 Best Novels, and The Big Read. Books that challenge social norms and present taboo subjects are frequently banned or censored. During the first six months of the 2022-2023 academic year, states across the country banned a total of 1,477 books. Dec 18, 2024 · Challenge vs. Jun 9, 2025 · Student projects researching the reasons why a particular book has been challenged or banned are common writing assignments in both language arts and social studies classes. May 6, 2025 · Challenge vs. Jan 29, 2025 · A book ban refers to the prohibition or restriction imposed on the distribution, sale, or access to a particular book or a group of books. controversial synonyms, controversial pronunciation, controversial translation, English dictionary definition of controversial. The ALA’s website is a key resource for understanding the importance of free access to information and the ongoing challenges posed by book bans and challenges. While the practice of banning Sep 29, 2025 · Some of the most controversial books in history are now regarded as classics. The most frequently banned book nationwide is “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe, a novel centered around understanding gender identity and sexuality. Censorship is "the regulation of free speech and other forms of entrenched authority". In this blog, we d Learn the meaning of Controversial with clear definitions and helpful usage examples. Frequent banned books were those that challenged the political or religious structure of the time. But American book banning started with the Puritans, 140 years before the United States Nov 1, 2024 · This report on book bans in the 2023-24 school year documents how censorial trends have continued to ripple beyond the shelves. OIF compiled this list of the most banned and challenged books from 2010-2019 by reviewing both the public and confidential censorship reports it received. Check out the pronunciation, synonyms and grammar. This censorship can be implemented by governments, institutions, or communities for various reasons, often with the aim of controlling or suppressing certain ideas, opinions, or information contained within the banned books. Books have been powerful tools of knowledge, inspiration, and free expression for centuries. John Self considers the long and ignoble global history of book-banning. The continuous implementation of book bans nationwide leave many Americans wondering how their schools, libraries, and children will be affected. This page provides a guide to some of the best sources for these assignments. What does controversial mean? Information and translations of controversial in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Recent years have seen a record-breaking number of attempts to ban books. Some are available print only and may be in the local public library; others are digital resources, also accessible through your local library. Learn more about the week of events and The American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom. These controversial books tackle sensitive topics such as race, religion, sexuality, or politics head-on, often inviting both praise and criticism. Sep 29, 2025 · Learn what banned books are, the history of banned and challenged books and what you can do to challenge book banning Banned and Challenged Books Banned Books Definitions Glossary Here are some important words and definitions to know in the fight against censorship! Book Ban: The complete removal of materials from the library based on the objections or a person or group, rendering other patrons unable to request an item to read. No book icons set. controversy n pl , -sies dispute, argument, or debate, esp. Of, producing, or marked by controversy: a controversial movie; a controversial stand on human rights. Daniel is the only Old Testament book written completely in apocalyptic language. Oct 5, 2023 · A Brief History of Banned Books in America Attempts to restrict what kids in school can read are on the rise. Challenges can either result in the book being banned or they can be overturned and the book remains in circulation at the organization. causing disagreement or discussion: 2. Apr 29, 2024 · A book with substantive content, even if controversial, would be unlikely to be harmful as a whole. Definition of controversial in the Definitions. Resources about book bans and other censorship attempts in the U. As controversial meaning, definition, what is controversial: causing a lot of disagreement, because m: Learn more. The motivations behind book banning can include a desire to protect children from perceived inappropriate content or an attempt to maintain social norms and moral values. Sep 18, 2025 · Index of School Book Bans – 2021-2022 Top 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books: 2010-2019 Top 10 and Frequently Challenged Books Archive (1990-2023) Recommended Banned Books (from Social Justice Books) Jul 3, 2024 · Information about books that have been banned from schools and libraries Common reasons for banning books from schools or libraries. While Bible scholars debate issues like when it was written and whether it is historically accurate, the Book of Daniel consistently calls God's people of every generation to faithfulness. The Bible and works by Shakespeare are among those that have been banned over the past two thousand years. However, throughout history, certain books have faced opposition and even outright censorship due to their controversial content, challenging ideas, or perceived threats to societal norms. Here's how book banning emerged—and how it turned Nov 29, 2024 · Book Bans Came Out of Nowhere/Why Are Books Being Banned Right Now? The current rise of book bans began in late 2020 amid COVID. Daniel, Theology of Daniel is one of the most controversial books of the Bible, yet its message is clear and unmistakable. As noted by the ALA, book challenges have exponentially grown since 2020. The Index was Oct 8, 2024 · How many of these banned books have you read? Celebrate the freedom to read by picking up one (or all) of them. adj. Nov 23, 2019 · Books are often banned for containing vulgar language, controversial themes, or offensive content. Often, these books challenge societal norms and provoke critical discussions Sep 6, 2023 · What You Need to Know About the Book Bans Sweeping the U. “Challenging” a book is the attempt to ban a book from a library, school district, institution, organization, government entity, retailer, or publisher based on its content. Sep 29, 2025 · Learn what banned books are, the history of banned and challenged books and what you can do to challenge book banning Oct 7, 2025 · PEN America tracked 6,870 total book bans in 2024-2025. Learn more. A banning is the removal of those materials Jun 26, 2024 · Controversial Books: Pushing Boundaries and Provoking Thought Exploring the Power of Provocative Texts Some books are deliberately written to provoke thought and challenge societal norms. 6 days ago · This research guide provides fact-based information on current events. Oct 1, 2025 · In 1986, in response to inquiries from librarians facing book or material challenges for the first time, the Intellectual Freedom Committee of the American Library Association developed the following list of definitions to clarify terminology associated with challenges: Expression of Concern. . Some books are banned for depicting difficult subjects like sexual assault or racism. Oct 1, 2025 · Book banning, the practice of prohibiting or restricting the reading of certain books by the general public or by members of a local community or religious group. Why do libraries have objectionable books? CONTROVERSIAL meaning: 1. Feb 20, 2025 · Book Banning is a form of moral censorship because private individuals, government officials, or organizations remove books from libraries, school reading lists, or bookstore shelves because they object to their content, ideas, or themes. Check meanings, examples, usage tips, pronunciation, domains, and related words. The book has received critical acclaim regardless of the controversy it caused with the public. Definitions from the American Library Association: “A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. How does that happen? Here's what a book ban is, and what it isn't. Sep 22, 2022 · Forty years on from the launch of Banned Books Week, censorship is once again on the rise. Definition of controversial adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Parents who fought to “reopen the schools”—they were never closed but were remote—also fought against face masks in schools and then against the COVID vaccine. This searchable banned book list includes each documented ban. May 10, 2025 · Discover the banned, censored, and controversial novels that challenged norms, sparked debates, and shaped literary history in the United States. Uncover their origins, their contents, and why they didn't make it into most Bibles. See examples of CONTROVERSIAL used in a sentence. controversial definition: causing strong disagreement or argument among people. The Index Librorum Prohibitorum (English: Index of Forbidden Books) was a changing list of publications deemed heretical or contrary to morality by the Sacred Congregation of the Index (a former dicastery of the Roman Curia); Catholics were forbidden to print or read them, subject to the local bishop. How is book banning evolving over time? Oct 5, 2025 · Should parents or other adults be able to ban books from schools and libraries? Learn the pros and cons of the debate. 1. Discover expressions like "controversial figure". [1] Censors typically identify as either a concerned parent, community members who react to a text without reading, or local or national organizations. The content provides summaries of topics and provides resources to find reliable information. one concerning a matter about which there is strong disagreement and esp. Learn more about this form of censorship. How to use ban in a sentence. If you describe something or someone as controversial, you mean that they are the subject of intense. Banned What is the difference between a book that has been challenged and a book that has been banned? According to the American Library Association (ALA): "A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials based upon the objections of a person or group. Meaning of controversial. This page includes resources about the history and culture of banning books in the United States and other countries as well as examples of books that have been challenged or banned. Oct 5, 2023 · Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read and spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. causing disagreement or discussion: 3. Discover everything about the word "CONTROVERSIAL BOOK" in English: meanings, translations, synonyms, pronunciations, examples, and grammar insights - all in one comprehensive guide. Define controversial. Books can be banned by means of their removal from publicly accessible locations (e. Indeed, arguments over obscenity—how its defined and how that definition relates to the First Amendment—have been at the heart of banned-book controversies throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Why is this an issue? Challenging and banning books is a form of censorship. But is it more political hyperbole See full list on rd. Complete guide with definitions, examples, and usage tips. Every year, the American Library Association compiles a list of the Top 10 Most Frequently Challenged Books based on reports from the field and media coverage. This is a list of books that appear the most often on banned books lists and are available at Butler University Irwin Library. School and library boards rarely document genuine harm to students, something that would best be done by psychologists and child-development experts. ' Synonyms include 'debatable,' 'disputed,' and 'contentious,' while antonyms include Oct 8, 2025 · It also offers lists of challenged books, explanations of why books are banned, and tools for libraries and educators to promote intellectual freedom and combat censorship. But what exactly does that mean? Here’s a definition. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. history. Explore the concept of controversial meaning, its origins, and how language shapes perceptions on sensitive topics like politics, religion, and social issues. Sep 22, 2016 · Historically, other reasons for banning books include: sexual imagery, violence, and any content considered obscene. Click for pronunciations, examples sentences, video. Though book banning aims to protect, its broader effects silence opposition, dominate cultural narratives and weaken democracy. causing or…. The meaning of BAN is to prohibit especially by legal means; also : to prohibit the use, performance, or distribution of. CONTROVERSIAL definition: 1. S. An oral challenge to the presence and/or Book banning often targets literature that addresses controversial subjects such as race, gender, sexuality, and politics, reflecting societal tensions around these issues. Sep 18, 2024 · Books can be challenged or banned in any state, but the schools with the most book bans were found in Florida, Iowa, and Texas. Controversial definition: of, relating to, or characteristic of controversy, or prolonged public dispute, debate, or contention; polemical. Jan 3, 2013 · Why Are Books Banned? There is a long history of books being challenged and banned due to the content on their pages. "Book banning, a form of censorship, occurs when private individuals, government officials or organizations remove books from libraries, school reading lists or bookstore shelves because they object to their content, ideas or themes. Other commonly banned books include: “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas, a novel about a Black teenager witnessing a police shooting and the ensuing impact on the predominantly white community. Oct 20, 2025 · Banned Books What Was the First Banned Book in the United States? During Puritan American (1637) in Quincy Massachusetts the New English Canaan by Jacob Frederick Stam was one of the first banned books. Typically held during the last week of September, it spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. CONTROVERSIAL BOOK definition | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Oct 11, 2025 · Defining Banned/Challenged Books Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. The history of book bans—and their changing targets—in the U. As school leaders pull more books off library shelves and curriculum lists amid a fraught culture war, we explore the impact, legal landscape and history of book censorship in schools. There are five meanings listed in OED's entry for the word controversial. Fond of controversy; disputatious. The following frequently asked questions, answers, and resources Book censorship is the act of some authority taking measures to suppress ideas and information within a book. It can be applied to issues, figures, or statements, such as 'The book's controversial content sparked a heated debate. The act of banning books reflects broader societal tensions around issues like race, sexuality, politics, and morality. A banning is the removal of those materials. Jul 30, 2025 · Banned & Challenged Books "If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the Government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable. Oral Complaint. PEN America's 2022-2023 Index of Banned Books found 3,362 instances of books banned, affecting 1,557 unique titles. "A challenge is an attempt to Oct 30, 2023 · Explore the hidden world of the Apocrypha - 14 books excluded from the Hebrew Bible. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers — in shared support of the freedom to seek and Sep 29, 2025 · Learn what banned books are, the history of banned and challenged books and what you can do to challenge book banning Sep 18, 2025 · You might hear the term "banned book" used a lot, but what does it actually mean? By simple definition, to ban something means “to prohibit, especially by legal means,” or “to prohibit the use, performance, or distribution of. At the base, these challenges are to protect others, mostly children, from these topics. Individuals may restrict what they themselves or their children read, but they must not call on governmental or public agencies to prevent others from reading or Banned Books Week, held during the first week of October, seemed an ideal time to investigate the meanings of key terms and the implications of their execution. Controversial writing refers to the act of creating content, whether in the form of essays, articles, books, or any other written medium, that intentionally explores, discusses, or presents opinions and ideas on topics that are likely to generate disagreement, debate, or strong emotions among readers. Nov 25, 2019 · A banned book has been removed from the shelves because of its controversial content. What is considered as the first book ban in what is now known as the United States was of Thomas Morton 's New English Canaan or New Canaan, published in Amsterdam in 1637. ooks are being banned in this country at an alarming rate. Sep 22, 2023 · On the other hand, allowing a diversity of books, even controversial ones, promotes inclusivity, expands society’s moral imagination, and leads to more thoughtful debates on complex issues. 2. Jun 9, 2025 · Book banning—and other ways of restricting public access to written expression—has been a common and controversial issue throughout the history of the United States. If a politician ran for office on the platform that children should be put to work from age six, his platform is likely to be controversial, meaning it will cause controversy, or a long discussion among people with opposing opinions. The Office of Intellectual Freedom, an office of the American Library Association, has compiled this word cloud of the most common reasons. Sep 25, 2023 · What You Should Know About Book Bans: Frequently Asked Questions. In today’s political landscape, the words “censorship” and “book banning” are whispered and declared in a range of settings, without always ensuring that shared understandings underpin discussion. Aug 21, 2023 · Explore the reasons behind 'The Great Gatsby' ban: from 1920s societal norms to modern perceptions. Banned Books Week 2024 is September 22-28. It brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular. Uncover the controversy surrounding Fitzgerald's iconic novel. Let’s start there. Books with sexually explicit content, or those that challenge religious or political orthodoxy, have, throughout history, been regarded as a threat to public welfare. Aug 28, 2025 · Controversial literature encompasses books, essays, poetry, plays, and other written works that provoke debate, challenge societal norms, and often spark strong reactions from readers and communities. Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. In this photo, Gail Sheehy, author of "Passages," reads during the "First Banned Books Read Out" in New York, April 1, 1982. Jun 7, 2024 · What is book banning? Is it unconstitutional? Are there any exceptions? Here's everything to know about book bans and the First Amendment. one carried on in public or in the press (C14: from Latin controversia, from controversus turned in an opposite direction, from contra- + vertere to turn) ♦ controversial adj ♦ n ♦ n ♦ controversially adv English Collins Dictionary - English Definition Definition A banned book is a literary work that has been prohibited or removed from circulation by authorities, often due to its content being deemed inappropriate, controversial, or offensive. w9c u7q fpzv 5b zkjwu yc3grgy vurvj ug5 gxk sfhbp0