Why is so much required reading in American schools still the same ‘controversial’ probably-banned-at-one-point books from the 40s through 80s) 1984, to Kill a Mockingbird, the Giver, etc)? Also heavy on the utopian/dystopian stuff from what I remember. Not that I’m complaining and still super relevant but still.

Also does anyone have a timeline if banned books and resulting sales? Not sure if they are still bothering to ban books but seems like a surefire way to sell a ton of copies quickly (+publicity)