Holden goes back to Phoebe's school and sees something on the wall that drives him crazy. Then he sees it again. And again. He visits the museum, plays tour guide for two kids who want to see mummies, passes out in the bathroom, and then Phoebe shows up wearing his hunting hat and dragging a suitcase. She packed her bags. She's coming with him. And what happens next might be the most important moment in the entire book. Banned Camp is a comedy podcast where we read banned books chapter by chapter — we don't read ahead, so you're discovering the story with us. Things To Listen For: Dan connecting the graffiti directly to Moms for Liberty's strategy of pretending things don't exist Dan and Jennifer's split on why Holden is so cruel to Phoebe — and why they're both right Why was The Catcher in the Rye banned? The thought custodians will point to this chapter's language — the word on the walls, the word in the tomb, the word Holden imagines carved on his own tombstone. They'll miss what Salinger actually wrote underneath it: you can't rub out every ugly thing in the world, but you can change your mind on a sidewalk when a ten year old shows up with a suitcase and won't let you leave. If this is your first episode, you're fine starting here. Our fact-checking Robot catches you up fast, then we read the next chapter (spoilers). Banworthy to Bingeworthy If you liked Banned Camp, check out these podcasts we think you'll enjoy: Here's the Scoop: Supreme Court Edition — NBC News senior legal correspondent Laura Jarrett talks to legal experts about the biggest Supreme Court cases still left to be decided this term, from citizenship to presidential power. New episodes every Saturday from NBC News. Why Is This Happening? The AI End Game — Chris Hayes speaks with leading experts about artificial intelligence, what it is, what it isn't, and what the end game looks like. A special miniseries from MS Now. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts Rate, review, and follow us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us! Disclaimer Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines. The material used from the book The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about literature, censorship, and societal issues. The original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy here to experience the book in its entirety. This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to J.D. Salinger, his estate, or the publishers of The Catcher in the Rye. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed. Frequently Asked Questions Why was The Catcher in the Rye banned? The Catcher in the Rye has been one of the most frequently challenged books in America since its publication in 1951, and was the most censored book in the U.S. from 1961 to 1982. It's been removed from schools and libraries for profanity, sexual references, and "anti-social behavior" — but the deeper reason is that Holden Caulfield gives teenagers permission to question authority, reject conformity, and say out loud that the system feels broken. That's the part that actually scares book banners. Is there a podcast that reads The Catcher in the Rye chapter by chapter? That's us. Banned Camp reads a different banned book every season, one chapter at a time — neither host has read ahead, so you're discovering the story together in real time. Season 10 covers The Catcher in the Rye, and every episode includes the chapter reading, discussion, a fact-checking Robot, and a segment on why books get banned. Do I need to start Banned Camp from the beginning? No. Every episode opens with Robot's recap of the previous chapter, so you can jump in anywhere. Most listeners tell us they started mid-season and went back to the beginning after they were hooked. Topics Covered: The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger, Chapter 25, Holden Caulfield, Phoebe Caulfield, Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse-Five, censorship, graffiti, Moms for Liberty, The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood, banned books, banned books podcast, book banning, literary analysis, comedy podcast