Let Freedom Read: A Fantasy Readers Guide to Banned Books Week with Resources and a List of Favorite Banned Books You Should Absolutely Read Once

Did you know that some of your favorite books have been banned in the past? Or currently face bans? It’s always shocking when I see what books have been banned. Every year, Banned Books Week reminds readers that stories—especially the ones that challenge and provoke critical thought—are powerful. It’s a celebration of our freedom to read and a call to action against censorship has continued to to rise across schools, libraries, and communities in recent years.

For fantasy readers like us, this hits close to home. Sometimes the characters and magic we love in our books question systems, challenge power, and explore worlds that mirror our own struggles for freedom. When stories are banned or challenged, we lose access not just to ideas—but to empathy and imagination.

Have you ever read a book where the people who ban or burn books are ever the heroes? Yeah, me neither.

“Depiction does not equal endorsement.” Just because you read something doesn’t mean you agree with that content, or that it isn’t valuable to read and reflect. And often being exposed to other’s thinking can help you form your own opinions. Often, it’s incredibly educational. And yes, of course, there are exceptions to this in terms of content, but that’s not what this post is about. If you surround yourself in an echo chamber of everyone who thinks like you do, you’ll never learn to truly hone and develop your own discernment skills. Plus, some of these bans are so beyond irrational, and are very much beloved books by the wide world. 

Fantasy books often include rebellion. It’s the young girl who refuses her fate. The prince who questions his kingdom. The magician who dares to wield forbidden power. Banning books silences those same themes in real life—especially when the stories center marginalized voices or uncomfortable truths. To read a banned book is to stand beside its characters and its author saying: Your voice matters. Your story deserves to exist—even if I disagree with it. Or maybe you don’t, and you want to shout your love for it from the rooftops.

If you’re not sure where to start looking for banned books to add to your TBR, don’t worry, I’ve got you below with a list of some of my favorite banned books. Many are some favorites from childhood, so great options to read with your kids as well and discuss. It’s something my parents and I used to always do when I was growing up, and I treasure those family discussions.

While there are many lists, and you can check a few here, here, and here, a book only has to be banned in one place for it to be added to the ever-growing list, so these often aren’t widespread bans (just to clarify). Sometimes they’re banned for content, or a difference of beliefs.

Libro.fm also has a great page of resources you can find here. And if you’re curious about their audiobook offerings, you can get two free audiobooks on Libro.fm with the code SWITCH right now).

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Is this a joke?! One of the greatest fantasy stories ever told?! Apparently the smoking of pipeweed was offensive.

MAUS I+II by Art Spiegelman

I read this in my History of the Holocaust class when I was in college, and it’s such a disturbing, but needed read to tackle an incredibly sensitive subject.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

I didn’t always love this book. In fact, my 4th grade teacher made me read it and I hated it at the time. However, it made me think. And rereading it many years later, it’s become a childhood favorite.

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Ok, yes, there’s major emotional damage…but that’s life. WHY would this ever be banned?!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Truly diabolical to ban one of the best YA series ever written. I’ve reread this series several times, and every time it holds up. Five stars across the board.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

How ironic that a book about burning books would be banned. This is one of my favorite ‘modern classics’ and it’s probably about time for me to do a reread.

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Apparently fairies in a committed relationship aren’t allowed to have a couple pages of consensual relations in an almost 700 page book…is it because it was written by a woman? I don’t see Game of Thrones being banned…the double standard is ridiculous.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Another beloved children’s book full of imagination.

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

Now this one, I can understand why some would want to ban it, because the final book in the series is quite blasphemous, and as a follower of Jesus, it definitely made me uncomfortable. However, it’s an incredibly written trilogy, and I still believe there’s value in reading it.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

One of the most heartbreaking reads, and yes, there are some triggering pieces of content, so it’s not appropriate for children to be reading it, but that’s for individual parents to decide.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

You can take Harry Potter from my dead cold hands. I will forever love this series, and so often it’s the people who haven’t read these books for themselves first that want to ban them.

How Else You Can Support Banned Books

Supporting banned books isn’t just about reading them (though that’s a great start!). It’s about defending access to stories for everyone. Here are a few ways to potentially make an impact:

1. Buy or Borrow Banned Books

Support local bookstores, libraries, and publishers that carry challenged titles. Many indie bookstores highlight banned book displays this week and even year round—ask your local favorite bookseller for recommendations.

2. Use Your Voice Online

Share your favorite banned or challenged book on social media using hashtags like #BannedBooksWeek, #LetFreedomRead, or #ReadBannedBooks. Every post helps spotlight the importance of access to diverse stories. And even though hashtags aren’t really being used anymore across TT and IG, they can still be used for discovery if people are searching those hashtags.

3. Support the Organizations Fighting Censorship

Here are a few amazing resources working tirelessly to protect our freedom to read:

• ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom – Tracks book bans and provides advocacy tools (link to them is above).

• PEN America – Defends freedom of expression for writers and readers.

• NCAC (National Coalition Against Censorship) – Offers education, legal support, and resources to fight censorship.

• Unite Against Book Bans – A national campaign empowering readers to take action locally.

4. Talk to Your Library or School Board

Even one voice matters. Attend meetings, write letters, and advocate for keeping books on shelves. I completely understand parents not wanting their children to read books they deem inappropriate, but there’s a better way to ensure that than simply banning it for everyone.

I hope this was helping in sharing bringing a bit more awareness to the issue, and perhaps you’ll find a new favorite five star read amongst the banned.

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P.S. If you end up getting a copy of any books through an Amazon affiliate link above, you’ll be helping me support this site and newsletter. Thanks in advance for supporting a fellow bookworm! BTW, I will always disclose affiliate links when they’re present. :) Happy reading!