Banned Books Week

About Banned eBooks

Here you will find eBook versions of books that have been challenged or banned, with brief descriptions of why people have wanted to ban them.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer's best friend, escapes down the Mississippi on a raft with the runaway slave, Jim. One of the iconic American novels, it caused a stir when published because of the vernacular used by Twain to characterize Jim and the people of the Mississippi.

Why banned: Racism, insensitivity and offensive language

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

The orphan Tom Sawyer, raised by his aunt, is never out of trouble for long. A mischievous, charming boy (not to mention genius at escaping from trouble), Tom's adventures involve many unwitting bystanders. From one moment to the next, the boy could change into a pirate, or ship's captain - when he's not trying to win Becky Thatcher for a sweetheart, of course. Tom is also a friend of Twain's other beloved boy-hero, Huckleberry Finn.

Why banned: Racism, insensitivity and offensive language

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

"We're all mad here." The 'Alice' books are two of the most translated, most quoted, and best-known books in the world. Alice's encounters with the White Rabbit, the Cheshire-Cat, the King and Queen of Hearts, the Mad Hatter, Tweedledum and Tweedledee and many other extraordinary characters have made them masterpieces of carefree nonsense, yet they also appeal to adults on a quite different level.

Why banned: drug use and talking animals

Call of the Wild by Jack London

The Call of the Wild is Jack London's most popular book and is considered by many to be his best. Telling the story of Buck, a domesticated dog whose wild instincts begin to kick-in while serving as a sled dog in the treacherous Yukon. The novel's tone is often dark, and despite being considered juvenile literature by some, it portrays much violence and cruelty.

Why banned: Violence, animal cruelty.