Marshall University does not ban books! The information is provided to let people know what has been banned/challenged elsewhere.
2022
A parent at Cienega High School in Vail (AZ) complained about this classic science fiction book’s language and references to sex. It is currently taught in Advanced Placement English classes. When the National Coalition Against Censorship learned of this new challenge in Vail, they sent a letter offering guidance and support as well as their “Guidelines for Administrators” to the school district’s board members. The district followed its policy and convened a committee to review the book and make a recommendation to the superintendent and board. The committee determined that the book belonged on the approved student reading list and Slaughterhouse-Five was retained. The district offers alternate titles when parents are concerned about the content of an assigned book.
2021
A parent at Cienega High School in Vail (AZ) complained about this classic science fiction book’s language and references to sex, and the district is considering whether to remove it from the approved reading list. It is currently taught in Advanced Placement English classes.
2012
Removed from Republic (MO) High School, but later returned and stored in a secure section of the library accessible only to parents. Teachers cannot require the book nor read it aloud in school. A Republic resident filed a complaint about the appropriateness of the book arguing that it teaches principles contrary to the Bible.
2011
Challenged in the Republic (MO) schools because it is “soft-pornography” and “glorifies drinking, cursing, and premarital sex.”
2008
Challenged in the Howell (MI) High School because of the book’s strong sexual content. In response from the president of the Livingston Organization for Values in Education (LOVE), the county’s top law enforcement official reviewed the book to see whether laws against distribution of sexually explicit materials to minors had been broken. The county prosecutor wrote, “Whether these materials are appropriate for minors is a decision to be made by the school board, but I find that they are not in violation of the criminal laws.”
2007
Retained on the Northwest Suburban HS District 214 reading list in Arlington Heights (IL) along with eight other challenged titles. A newly elected school board member raised the controversy based on excerpts from the books she’d found on the Internet.
Challenged in the Howell (MI) High School because of the book’s strong sexual content. In response from the president of the Livingston Organization for Values in Education (LOVE), the county’s top law enforcement official reviewed the book to see whether laws against distribution of sexually explicit materials to minors had been broken. The county prosecutor wrote, “Whether these materials are appropriate for minors is a decision to be made by the school board, but I find that they are not in violation of the criminal laws.”
2001
Removed from 10th grade required reading in Coventry (RI) after a parent complained that it contained vulgar language, violent imagery, and sexual content.
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 17, 2022