Banned Books Week and Censorship: Book Challenges in Montana

Books have even been banned or challenged in Montana. Learn more about bans and challenges in Montana using the interactive map below. Additionally, you can browse a list of a small portion of banned and challenged books below the map. Most of the titles are available online as an e-book or as a physical copy in Weaver Library. You can also look up a more comprehensive list of banned and challenged books in the State of Montana.

This information was originally made available on MSU Library's Banned Books Week LibGuide.

Reason why American Psycho was challenged:

• Challenged in 1991 at the Flathead County Library in Kalispell because of its graphic scenes of sexual abuse. It was retained by the library. 

Reason why Fools Crow was challenged:

• This novel about the Blackfeet Tribe has faced multiple challenges since 1999 for violence and sexual content. It was banned from Laurel High School curriculum, but retained in its library. Both Bozeman and Helena High Schools kept the book.

Reason why The Giver was challenged: 

• Challenged in 1996 at the Columbia Falls School because of themes of infanticide and euthanasia. Retained but a parental permission rule was instituted for younger students. 

Reason why The Guy Book was challenged: 

• Challenged in 2008 at Lockwood Elementary School in Billings over its sexual content. Retained by the school. 

Reason why I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was challenged:

• Its status as required reading for freshmen at Hamilton High School was objected to because of sexual content and homosexuality. 

Reason why The Story of Mary MacLane was banned:

• Banned in Butte shortly after its 1902 publication because officials said the Butte author offended public morality and insulted Butte and its citizens.