The Story
Dover’s Banned Books series spotlights contentious classic works of literature that have sparked debates and stood at the center of censorship battles.
Labeled subversive and scandalous, Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer was banned for its use of racial slurs and its portrayal of a mischievous, unruly protagonist as a poor role model. In a powerful foreword, Sam Helmick, president of the American Library Association, explores the novel’s censorship and its enduring commentary on race and society. Helmick sheds light on the book’s controversial themes and the history of the bans—and gives a spirited defense of the freedom of expression that they represent.
Description
Dover’s Banned Books series spotlights contentious classic works of literature that have sparked debates and stood at the center of censorship battles.
Labeled subversive and scandalous, Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer was banned for its use of racial slurs and its portrayal of a mischievous, unruly protagonist as a poor role model. In a powerful foreword, Sam Helmick, president of the American Library Association, explores the novel’s censorship and its enduring commentary on race and society. Helmick sheds light on the book’s controversial themes and the history of the bans—and gives a spirited defense of the freedom of expression that they represent.
