"In the Shadow of the Wizard: Literature Challenged" was an exhibit that featured works challenged throughout the United States for their references to sorcery, wizardry, incantations, spells, or witchcraft. The exhibit was displayed on the first floor of the Morris Library from May 27-October 3, 2003. The curators were Margaret Ferris, Associate Librarian, Acquisitions Department, and Michael Gutierrez, Assistant Librarian, Reference Department.
| Allard, Harry. Bumps in the Night. New York, N.Y.: Bantam Doubleday Dell, 1996. (PZ813 .A419b 1996) |
Challenged because a medium holds
a séance in the story. Tillamook, Oregon 1990 |
| Anaya, Ruldolfo A. Bless Me, Ultima: A Novel. Berkeley, Calif.: Tonatiuh International, 1978. (PS3551 .N27 B56 1978) |
Banned for containing witchcraft.
Laton, California 2000 |
| Dahl, Roald. The Witches. New York, N.Y.: Farrar, Staus and Giroux, 1983. (PZ813 .D131w) |
Banned for satanic themes.
Witchita Falls, Texas 1997 |
| Fox, Mem. Guess What? San Diego, Calif.: Harcourt, Brace, 1995. (PZ823 .F793g 1995) |
Challenged because it features "witches
boiling cauldrons, names of punk rockers, and a |
| King, Stephen. The Stand: The Complete & Uncut Edition. New York,, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1990. (PS3561 .I483 S57 1990) |
Challenged for its demonic characters...sexual
language and violence. Beaverton, Oregon 1990 |
| L'Engle, Madeleiine. A Wrinkle in Time. New York, N.Y.: Farrar, Staus and Giroux, 1962. (PZ813 .L566w) |
Challenged for featuring supernatural
rather
than religious forces to battle evil. Anniston, Alabama 1990 |
| Lewis, C. S. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: A Story for Children. New York, N.Y.: Macmillian, 1950, (PZ 823 .L673li) |
Challenged because it depicts "graphic
violence, mysticism and gore". Howard County, Maryland 1990 |
| Merriam, Eve. Halloween A B C. New York, N.Y.: Macmillian, 1987. (PZ811 .M568h 1987) |
Challenged for promoting Satanism.
Rice Lake, Wisconsin 1993 |
| Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. New York, N.Y.: Arthur A. Levine Books, 1998. (PZ813 .R833h 1998) |
Challenged for involving "witches,
goblins
and enchantment". Zeeland, Michigan 2000 |
| Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. New York, N.Y.: Arthur A. Levine Books, 1999. (PZ813har 1998) |
The Harry Potter books are "trying
to disguise things as fun and easy that are really evil."
Columbia, South Carolina 1999 |
| Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Prizoner of Azkaban. New York, N.Y.: Arthur A. Levine Books, 1999. (PZ813ha 1999) P>Rowling, J. K. |
"These books are an introduction
to sorcery
for some of our children." Mount Vernon, Washington 1999 |
| Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. New York, N.Y.: Arthur A. Levine Books, 2000. (PZ813h 2000) |
"I appeal to you to avoid presenting
[this] material
that ... glorifies or romanticizes witchcraft, Satanism, spiritism [and] ... occult ideas." Cedar Rapids, Iowa 2000 |
| Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. New York, N.Y.: Arthur A. Levine Books, 2003. (PZ813 .R833ha 2003) |
Almost since J.K. Rowling began
publishing
the Harry Potter series, these books have been challenged and sometimes banned across the country for their focus on wizardry and magic. |
| Sachar, Louis. The Boy Who Lost His Face. New York, N.Y.: Dell Yearling, 2000. (PZ813 .S1211b 2000) |
Challenged for containing mysticism.
Clay City, Indiana 1993 |
| Schwartz, Alvin. Cross Your Fingers, Spit in Your Hat: Superstitions and Other Beliefs. New York, N.Y.: HarperTrophy, 1993. (PZ001.9 .S399c 1993) |
Challenged for containing spells.
Lakewood, Colorado 1997 |
| Snyder, Zilpha Keatley. The Headless Cupid. New York, N.Y.: Atheneum, 1971. (PZ813 .S675h) |
Challenged because it "introduces
children
to the occult". Grand Haven, Michigan 1990 |
| Tolkien, J. R. R. The Hobbit: Or, There and Back Again. New York, N.Y.: H. N. Abrams, 1977. (Folio PR6039 .O32 H62 1977) |
Challenged for mysticism and paganism.
Willis, Texas 2002 |
|
Tolkien, J. R. R. |
Challenged for its mysticism, fantastical
characters and evil forces. |
Additional Materials
Media:The Wizard of Oz.
[Universal City, Calif.]: MGM/UA Home Video, 1998.
(DVD 55) Media limited circulationFantasia.
[Burbank, Calif.]: Walt Disney Home Video, 2000.
(DVD 291) Media limited circulationCarrie.
[Culver City, Calif.]: MGM/UA Home Video, 1988.
(VHS 916) Media limited circulationWeb Sites:
Banned Books.
(http://www.adlerbooks.com/banned.html).
A list of books that have been banned at one point or another in the United States.Banned Books and Censorship.
(http://booksatoz.com/censorship/banned.htm).
A site useful for finding information about freedom of speech and of the press in reference to the written word. These pages provide resources that might be helpful to explore how and why censorship happens not only in the United States, but all around the world.Banned Books & Censorship Resources.
(http://www.georgesuttle.com/censorship/).
An extensive directory of Internet and print resources on various aspects of censorship and free expression.Banned Books Online.
(http://www.digital.library.upenn.edu/books/banned-books.html).
An online exhibit of books that have been the objects of censorship or censorship attempts.Challenged and Banned Books.
(http://www.ala.org).
A web site created and maintained by the American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom. Search the web site for information on Banned Book Week as well as other informative links on censorship.
