The Catcher in the Rye was first published in 1951. It was immediately banned in some schools and libraries because of its language and sexual references. The book was also banned for its depiction of violence and for being offensive to Christians.
The novel was later removed from some schools and libraries after parents and teachers complained about the book’s language and sexual references. The novel was banned again when parents complained that it promoted disrespect for authority, making it inappropriate for teenagers to read.
In 1967, after a complaint by a parent who objected to the novel’s portrayal of sexuality, Salinger agreed not to publish any more copies of the book without changing the objectionable passages or removing them entirely. In 1982, Salinger signed an agreement with Little Brown & Co., allowing them to publish new editions with minor changes made by Salinger himself.
The book was banned in some countries because it was considered to be too controversial. The novel has been challenged in the United States because of its sexual content, offensive language and anti-social behaviour. The novel was ranked number one on the American Library Association’s list of the most banned and challenged books in the 1990s.
In 1999, The New York Times reported that the novel had been banned in at least 11 states. These included Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas and Utah.
The ALA ranked the book number two on its list of the most challenged books in the 2000s. According to CNN, it was also one of the most challenged books in 2014.
