Banned Book Week: A Wrinkle in Time

Published on Thursday, 04 October 2012 11:30

Erin

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A Wrinkle in Time was published in 1962, winning the Newbery Award the next year. It has sold over 10 million copies. Yet the first 26 publishers to review the book didn’t even want to publish it.

At the time it was called pro-communist, and L’Engle reported that publishers were put off by the strong female protagonist and “how different” the world of the book is from reality. After it was published it was banned by some for being anti-religion, and by others for being pro-religion. Here’s an interesting fact:

The school system of Anniston, Alabama, challenged it in 1990 because someone objected to the book’s citing the name of Jesus together with the names of other artists, philosophers, scientists, and religious leaders who defended Earth against evil.

It also of course been challenged because of it’s magic.

Objecting parents and pastors claimed that the characters are really witches practicing black magic under the guise of “New Age” religion, based on Hindu and Buddhist cultures. They claim that children are being indoctrinated with Eastern religions and mystical practices by the references and imagery of crystal balls, psychic healing, astral travel, and telepathy.