Yes, The Kite Runner Is Banned!

The Kite Runner begins in 1970s Kabul, where Amir and Hassan, boys from different social classes, share a childhood defined by kite-fighting tournaments and an unspoken bond. When Amir witnesses Hassan’s sexual assault and does nothing, the guilt reshapes his entire life. The novel follows Amir through the Soviet invasion, exile in America, and an eventual return to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan to rescue Hassan’s orphaned son. Hosseini’s debut became a global phenomenon, selling over 12 million copies and bringing the complexities of Afghan culture and history to millions of Western readers.

With 73 bans in the 2023-24 school year, The Kite Runner has been challenged for its depiction of child sexual assault, violence, and its portrayal of Islamic culture, which some critics have called offensive to religious sensibilities from multiple directions. The novel has been removed from school libraries in Florida, Texas, Virginia, and Missouri. Despite being widely taught in high school and college curricula, the book’s frank treatment of abuse and the political violence of Afghanistan’s recent history has made it a persistent target in the ongoing wave of book challenges.