In time for Banned Books Week, NCTE and SLJ have partnered again to provide professional reviews of banned curriculum staples. We highlight 18 acclaimed works by celebrated authors, including Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
In time for Banned Books Week, the National Council of Teachers in English (NCTE) and School Library Journal have partnered again to provide professional reviews of banned curriculum staples.
As a follow-up to April's Defending the Canon roundup, we highlight 18 acclaimed works by celebrated authors, including Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Excerpts of each review are featured here, and the full reviews are linked below. Many of the NCTE reviews were adapted from the NCTE Rationale Database.
••• RUDOLFO ANAYA Bless Me, UltimaGrand Central Gr 9 Up–Published in 1995, this story is based on Anaya’s memories of his childhood in Pastura, NM. It involves Antonio Marez and his experiences; those with his Mexican American family; those with Aunt Ultima, who is a curandera or healer; and stories with his friends and teachers. This novel is a coming-of-age narrative in which the protagonist must confront the harsh realities of life, even at his tender age, and keep a balance between what his parents want and his inner voice. Although set in the 1940s, many of Antonio’s inner conflicts remain true today. VERDICT A classic about family, religion, and growing up that has stood the test of time.– Heather Lassley & NCTE Rationale Database
|
•••
Margaret Atwood
Knopf
Gr 10 Up–This award-winning novel is an account of Offred’s life in an oppressive society. It is set in the futuristic world of Gilead, where fertile women are a scarce resource due to infertility. The Commanders, high-ranking, wealthy public officials, have designed the Republic of Gilead to ensure they have access to fertile women, whom they have given the title of Handmaids. Offred is assigned to one of these Commanders and must figure out how to survive in the new world. Atwood writes about quintessential themes of gender, religion, society, identity, and so much more that are ripe for discussion. VERDICT A cautionary dystopian tale published almost 40 years ago that still resonates with readers.– Kristyn Dorfman & NCTE Rationale Database
••• JANE AUSTEN PersuasionPenguin Classics Gr 8 Up–This is the final completed novel written by Austen and was published posthumously. Wealthy Anne Elliott fell in love with Frederick Wentworth in her youth but was persuaded by her elders to break off their relationship because of his lack of connections and money. Eight years later, now struggling with debt, the Elliotts rent out their ancestral home to the now-Captain Wentworth’s sister. An older, more mature Anne realizes her mistake and hopes that they can still find their way to each other. At the core of this second-chance novel is a focus on the engagements and marriages of a small circle of middle-class families, emphasizing the social and private lives of women of the era. Reflecting themes common throughout Austen’s work, this title’s protagonists must grapple with their personal pride before they can fully understand their relationships to not only each other but the people and world around them. VERDICT Purchase for English literature curriculum and where Regency-era fans are prevalent.– Shelley M. Diaz & Darius Phelps
|
•••
LEWIS CARROLL
ILLUS. BY JOHN TENNIEL
Penguin Classics
Gr 3 Up–This sequel to Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland takes place six years later, with the beloved Alice stepping through a mirror into a surreal realm where she meets peculiar characters, explores curious landscapes, and attempts to make sense of the nonsensical events around her. This novel is like that poem, a construction of the imagination that delights young readers, who see in its searching but confident protagonist a template for who they may become—or already are. Many current YA and graphic novels would pair well with this classic as mentor texts. VERDICT The kind and considerate Alice trusts her own judgment even as a fantastic dream turns her world upside down, endearing her as a heroine to children everywhere for over 150 years. A must for all collections.– Georgia Christgau & Darius Phelps
••• DAPHNE DU MAURIER RebeccaBack Bay Bks Gr 9 Up–This Gothic suspense novel is set in the beginning of the 20th century in the aristocratic English countryside. It is narrated by a young woman who remains nameless throughout, whose voice and imagination lead readers through descriptions of the setting, twists of the plot, and her own feelings. The sinister housekeeper Mrs. Danvers gaslights the protagonist into believing that her husband still longs for his former wife, Rebecca. The psychological torture that the narrator endures will keep modern readers engaged just as it did upon its 1938 publication. It is beautiful and concise, with a sprinkling of Briticisms and picturesque descriptions. It introduces students to the genre and is ripe for explorations of self-identity, jealousy, and the role that others play influencing feelings and beliefs. VERDICT A classic suspense thriller perfect for YA collections.– Ashley Leffel & NCTE Rationale Database |
•••
LOIS DUNCAN
Little, Brown
Gr 8 Up–Mr. Griffin is a disliked high school English teacher. Mark persuades his classmates Jeff, David, Betsy, and Sue to kidnap their teacher to scare him into giving them high grades for inferior work. The students kidnap Mr. Griffin, tie him up, blindfold him, and drive him to the secluded mountains to leave him there. Their plan soon backfires when Mr. Griffin dies of a heart attack. The teens find themselves in a chain of events that lead them from one violent act to another. Although written in the late 1970s, Duncan’s classic will keep readers on the edge of their seats and delivers plot twist after plot twist. With multiple points of view, this suspense novel gives teens a full scope of each character’s mental state and motivation. VERDICT A great YA classic to share with Karen M. McManus fans.– Heather Lassley & NCTE Rationale Database
••• F. SCOTT FITZGERALD The Great GatsbyKnopf Gr 9 Up–A story of love, power, and money set against the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties. Jay Gatsby, a rich entrepreneur, harbors a dream of a woman he knew many years ago, Daisy Buchanan. At the time he was a poor solider, unable to compete with the monied men she associated with. Since leaving her to serve in the First World War, he has dedicated his life to making enough money to win her back, even though she is now married to someone else. Told through the eyes of Daisy’s cousin, Nick Carraway, this tale is a profound definition of the loss of the American dream and a successful ironic drama. The book explores the corruption of American idealism by materialism, love, friendship, loyalty, hypocrisy, and wealth’s destructiveness. VERDICT Recommended for all collections. A great resource for developing and nurturing critical thinkers.– Kristyn Dorfman & NCTE Rationale Database |
•••
HERMANN HESSE
TR. FROM GERMAN BY JOACHIM NEUGROSCHEL
ILLUS. BY JESSICA HISCHE
Penguin Classics
Gr 10 Up–This work has been in continuous publication for over a century because of its universally recognized themes of spirituality, personal growth, and self-exploration. Leaving the upper caste Indian society in which he was raised, Siddartha and his friend Govinda are in pursuit of a deeper understanding of life. The text follows Siddartha in his life-long spiritual journey and through the trials, teachings, and people that lead him to peace and wisdom. Set in India and focused on the religious beliefs and teachings of Buddhism, this is a strong novel for multicultural literature studies and for discussions of students’ own personal growth. While the novel is relatively short, and Hesse’s language simple and colorful, often with the flavor of legend or myth, some of the key concepts will appeal to more mature readers. VERDICT A compelling adventure story and an insightful, practical exploration of ancient Indian philosophy, recommended for older teens.– Bob Hassett & NCTE Rationale Database
••• KHALED HOSSEINI A Thousand Splendid SunsRiverhead Bks Gr 10 Up–Hosseini’s sophomore novel intertwines the lives of two women, Mariam and Laila, as they navigate love, hope, sacrifice, and survival through profound adversities. Hosseini’s writing is both poetic and accessible, bringing to life the vivid landscapes and rich cultural history of Afghanistan from the 1960s to 2000s and the complex people that lived through this time. Through Mariam and Laila’s eyes, readers experience the harsh realities of life under oppressive regimes and the struggles of women seeking empowerment in a patriarchal society. Ultimately, the novel invites readers to reflect on the power of friendship, the transformative power of the strengths of women, and the enduring hope for a brighter future and new beginnings. VERDICT A must read for those who enjoy nuanced stories set in Central Asia and sweeping dramas with unforgettable characters.– Heather Lassley & Diana Liu |
•••
KEN KESEY
Penguin Classics
Gr 9 Up–Con man Randall P. McMurphy, convicted of drunkenness, assault, and battery, pulls a fast one when he requests a transfer to the men’s ward of a mental hospital to get out of the hard labor of a work farm. A ward of scared men is in thrall to the powerful, unflappable Nurse Ratched. McMurphy, charismatic and selfish, challenges her authority when a desire to make the men laugh turns him into a person who cares about others. The novel raises crucial questions about power and control, about how groups establish and maintain the kind of order that they deem necessary to their survival. While it includes disturbing and mature themes and experiences, and has clearly outdated stereotypes embedded within, it can be profitably taught to high school students to open stimulating and illuminating classroom discussions. VERDICT Through humor and his brand of heroism, Kesey reveals the mistreatment and ostracism of the mentally ill who society would have preferred to remain forgotten. A must for all collections.– Georgia Christgau & NCTE Rationale Database
••• TONI MORRISON BelovedVintage Gr 10 Up–Past sins find a way of making themselves known in the present. Formerly enslaved Sethe resides with her daughter Denver. Their lives take a turn when Paul D arrives, and a mysterious girl who calls herself Beloved comes into their home. As the narrative progresses, it is revealed that Beloved embodies the spirit of Sethe’s murdered daughter. Like all of Morrison’s works, this classic demonstrates the power that lies behind our voices and pens and the art of storytelling. The work amplifies the topics of trauma, love, and literacy. VERDICT Scenes of rape and violence make this a difficult read, but it is a must particularly for those who are studying the physiological and historical effects of the Civil War.– Heather Lassley & Darius Phelps
|
•••
GEORGE ORWELL
Penguin
Gr 8 Up–Farm animals rebel against their slothful master and establish their own system of farm government. The rebellion begins in the vision of the animals’ elder statesman, the old boar Major. At a meeting attended by multiple farm animals, Major relates his dream of the day when the animals will manage their own affairs and enjoy the fruit of their labor rather than remaining slaves of the humans. After Major’s death the animals throw their master off the farm and set up their own government. Almost immediately, however, the government becomes corrupt. The book has been used to illustrate literary forms, such as the beast fable, allegory, and parable. The animal characters talk and act like human beings, and the story has an obvious larger significance, specifically the Russian revolution of 1917. What begins as good intentions can quickly turn sour when power is left unchecked. Almost 100 years after its publication, the allegory of this work remains a powerful study on how a dictator rises to power. VERDICT An undereducated working class lured by propaganda, manipulation of power, and political corruption are themes that remain as important now as when this was published. A necessary addition to YA collections.– Ashley Leffel & NCTE Rationale Database
••• JOHN STEINBECK Of Mice and MenPenguin Classics Gr 10 Up–In the ruthless and rootless world of Depression-era migrant farming, George and Lennie share something unusual: companionship. George protects Lennie, a large and powerful but mentally disabled man, from the harassment and cruel teasing of those who are too ignorant to know better. Their dream is to find a place of their own, where they can live in peace and dignity, but this dream is shattered by Lennie’s innocent violence. This short, sparsely narrated novel overlays 1930s social history with a portrait of the human condition. Steinbeck offers readers a colorful rendering of a bleak period in U.S. history, when migrant laborers struggled to survive. The book also presents a story of love and tragedy realistic to any era. Steinbeck refrains from commentary and explanation, and the novel evolves primarily through dialogue. This classic does not shy away from the pain of life. While its representation of an unnamed mental disability can be problematic, itself a depiction of a particular mentality and era, conversations and discussions should be scaffolded accordingly. VERDICT A dark look at a time and people in history that should be examined with a critical eye. Purchase for libraries serving teens.– Kristyn Dorfman & NCTE Rationale Database |
•••
JOHN STEINBECK
Penguin Classics
Gr 8 Up–Steinbeck received the Pulitzer Prize in 1939 for this saga of the Joad family—his first full-length novel—based on the historic migration of poor farmers from the Midwest to the West Coast during the Depression. With their meager savings, the Joads, forced off their land and ancestral home in Oklahoma by drought, crop failure, and debt, buy a worn-out old truck for the long journey that son Al, 16, proudly takes responsibility for as lead driver and mechanic. Big brother Tom channels his fiery energy into helping the family get to California, even though he breaks parole to do it. This is just one of the tensions typical of Steinbeck’s deeply emotional and gripping classic, a tale readers won’t soon forget. The work provides material for the study of theme, characterization, the use of symbolism, and allegory. These topics should stimulate student response to a variety of issues, among them the plight of the downtrodden, man’s inhumanity to man, and the strength of the human spirit. VERDICT Students will enjoy this harsh but beautiful story of a family in crisis bound together by their belief in their right to a better life.– Georgia Christgau & NCTE Rationale Database
••• J.R.R. TOLKIEN The HobbitHarperCollins Gr 4 Up–Tolkien relates the tale of a middle-aged hobbit’s quest for maturity and wholeness, in the guise of an adventure undertaken to assist a group of 13 dwarfs in reclaiming the ancient treasure stolen long ago from their forefathers by the evil dragon Smaug. The author presents detailed descriptions of Middle Earth and its inhabitants, and the characters drawn from European folklore, medieval literature, and Tolkien’s own imagination. The hobbit’s world is strikingly like that of man, as it reveals human foibles and basic moral principles. It shows how stories work, and how students, especially those in elementary grades, may acquire the skills of novel reading. The central image is the Heroic Journey or Quest, which is a well-known structural framework. While there is some fantasy violence throughout, Bilbo’s transformation from a homebody to a hero is something that will resonate with readers of all ages. VERDICT A high fantasy tale that can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike. Purchase for all collections.– Ashley Leffel & NCTE Rationale Database |
•••
ALICE WALKER
Penguin Classics
Gr 10 Up–A timeless classic, this is a cultural mainstay with perennial importance, relevance, and splendor. Penned by the first Black woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, this work of art takes place in rural Georgia and centers the various lives and experiences of Black women in the 1930s. Celie, the 14-year-old protagonist and narrator, survives ongoing emotional, physical, and sexual abuse at the hands of her stepfather, Alphonso. Her stepfather arranges her marriage to Mister. He and his children all treat Celie badly, attempting to break her spirit and discard her humanity. Hope and resilience become the protagonist’s armor to take up space with her intersecting identities, causing her to also find strength from friendships with other strong Black women characters, Shug Avery and Sofia. There are several explicit descriptions of systematic rapes, masturbation, and beatings. VERDICT This is a bold, brave, and rich literary account that humanizes the experiences of Black women. Purchase for all collections.– Heather Lassley & Raven L. Jones
••• TRUMAN CAPOTE In Cold BloodVintage Gr 9 Up–A slick forger named Dick Hickock hatched a plan to rob a rich rancher in western Kansas and just before he was released from prison, he found his accomplice: Perry Smith, an unstable loner who’d maybe killed a man. One night in 1959, Smith and Hickock showed up anyway, and killed them all: husband, wife, and their two teenaged kids. Over the next five years, Capote spoke extensively to everyone—friends and neighbors of the Clutters, detectives, and both killers. His methods were controversial, but the depth of his coverage and empathy made him famous for inventing a new genre: the “nonfiction novel.” VERDICT Capote brilliantly contrasts the underside of American life in this purchase that should be on the shelves in most high school collections.– Georgia Christgau |
•••
REBECCA SKLOOT
Crown
Gr 9 Up–The author’s high school biology teacher mentioned the name Henrietta Lacks in a class in the 1990s, but when Skloot asked for more information, he said no one knew who she was. But her cells were famous: before she died in 1951, a doctor had put a slice of her tumor in a petri dish, and the cells, called “HeLa,” continued reproducing. They jumpstarted the field of cell biology and an industry that eventually sold her so-called immortal cells to researchers worldwide. From a young age Skloot wondered how—and why—the scientific community left Lacks behind. By developing a deep, rich relationship with Henrietta’s daughter Deborah, Skloot broke through the family’s deep distrust of the medical profession to tell Henrietta’s story dramatically and respectfully. VERDICT Like a mystery novel, this wonderful book finds the human drama behind the scientific breakthrough of the discovery of cells taken from a young Black woman dying of cervical cancer without her knowledge.– Georgia Christgau
SLJ Reviewers: Shelley M. Diaz, Kristyn Dorfman, Bob Hassett, Ashley Leffel, Heather Lassley
NCTE Contributors: Raven L. Jones, Diana Liu, Darius Phelps
We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing
Add Comment :-
Be the first reader to comment.
Comment Policy:
Comment should not be empty !!!