11 Banned Books by Women to Read Right Now

(Image via Puffin Books)

9.) A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L’Engle

What it’s about

Teenager Meg Murray and her younger brother Charles must go on an interdimensional adventure in order to rescue their father. Mr. Murray, a government scientist, has been working on a mysterious device called a “tesseract”. When one of the Murray’s eccentric neighbors mentions the existence of a tesseract, Meg and Charles investigate. They are soon brought into a cosmic struggle between good and evil.

Why it was banned or challenged

Believe it or not, but this YA novel is one of the most banned books ever, thanks to its author’s personal beliefs. L’Engle’s version of Christianity, which is noticeable throughout many of her books, relies heavily on universal salvation. In short, universal salvation rejects the notion of an eternal hell. All individuals, regardless of any horrifying acts they committed during their lifetime, will eventually enter heaven. 

L’Engle also did not shy away from mentioning other figures in context with Jesus, including the Buddha and Shakespeare. Critics complained that both points of view trivialized Christianity. L’Engle’s liberal Christianity did not sit well with many conservative and evangelical readers.

Why you should read it

Meg Murray is one of science fiction’s first great female protagonists. It’s even more refreshing to see a teenager fill this role. All too often, teens (and teen girls especially) are maligned left and right in popular media. It helps that A Wrinkle in Time is also a darn good adventure story, with real heft and heart to it, besides.