Summary

The classic children’s novel, published in 1952, by E.B. White, is a story about a farm pig named Wilbur who becomes best friends with a spider named Charlotte. When he finds out he is being raised to be eaten, Charlotte spells words in her webs to save Wilbur from being slaughtered. She saves Wilbur and when frost comes, she passes, leaving Wilbur to become a free pig.

About the Author

Elwyn Brooks White, an American author born on July 11th 1899, wrote a variety of books ranging from psychological ideas in adult lit to children’s lit. Married to Katharine Sergeant Angell White, they had one kid named Joel White. White earned a BA at Cornell University and wrote for the New York and Harper’s Magazine. He had many other honors which included the National Medal for Literature, a special Pulitzer award and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal. The famous poet and author of simplicity and care of animals died of Alzheimer’s disease in 1985.

Why was it banned?

In 2006, a parent group in Kansas wanted to ban this loving tale from their student’s school libraries. They said it was because of the characters being talking animals and the theme of death throughout the novel. The group argued that the talking animals were “unnatural and blasphemous as humans are the highest level of God’s creation.” Although there are many other kids books with talking animals, this group wanted this book specifically gone from their kid’s bookshelves.