Fall 2025

Book Bans

Reading Under Siege

From the Series Gateway Headlines

  • Interest Level: Grade 4 - Grade 8
  • Reading Level: Grade 5

Book bans are a topic that has taken the US by storm.

Book bans have occurred since writing began and ideas made their way onto paper. Books that cover controversial subjects such as religion, gender and sexuality, and political themes are the most banned books by some schools, libraries, and governments. However, many of these books are also classics and are considered important in learning new ideas and perspectives.

From 1984 to The Hate U Give, many popular books have been banned throughout history. Students, educators, and concerned citizens have fought to stop the censoring of these and many other titles so that their ideas and themes can be freely expressed. Learn about the long history of book bans, how they began, how they have continued, and how you can fight against them.

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979-8-7656-6939-6
$24.99
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$37.99
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Interest Level Grade 4 - Grade 8
Reading Level Grade 5
Genre Social Studies
Category 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Traditional Nonfiction
Copyright 2026
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Lerner Publications ™
Language English
Number of Pages 48
Publication Date 2025-08-01
Text Type Informational/Explanatory
BISACS JNF063000, JNF053270, JNF043000
Dewey 098/.10973
Dimensions 7 x 9
Lexile 920
Guided Reading Level Z
Features Bibliography/further reading, Index, Photo captions, Reviewed, Sidebars, Source notes, Starred Reviews, Table of contents, and Timeline

Author: Sally McGraw

Sally McGraw is a Minneapolis-based freelance writer, editor, and blogger. She is the creator the popular daily blog Already Pretty, a columnist for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, a Huffington Post contributor, and the author of several books about style and body image. Sally is also a ghostwriter and editor who specializes in non-fiction books and book proposals. Her favorite word is “crepuscular.”

Reviews

School Library Journal

“This series demystifies current news headlines, helping readers navigate today’s issues with context and clarity. . . . An excellent introduction to current events.”—School Library Journal

Booklist

“With library and school book bans in the news, students may wish to learn more about the rationale, history, legalities, and impacts of this hot-button topic. The accessible text and inclusion of historical images and sources demonstrate that book banning is not a new phenomenon. . . While this timely Gateway Headlines series (4 titles) offering is aimed at upper elementary and middle-school students, older readers will also find it edifying.”—starred, Booklist