Banned Books Week and Censorship

Sherman Alexie’s National Book Award-winning The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian has appeared on ALA’s top ten challenged books list six times since its 2007 publication. In 2017, it held the #2 slot on the list due to challenges based on profanity and situations that were deemed sexually explicit.

The most challenged book of 2017 was Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why, a novel that has been a valuable tool in igniting conversations about suicide, bullying, and consent. The depiction of suicide was the primary reason for 2017 challenges. The book was also on the top ten list in 2012 for drug and alcohol use, sexual content, suicide, and being unsuited for age group.

The book is a graphic memoir that explores gender identity and is centered on coming out to friends and family. It has been praised for how it talks about identity. “Gender Queer” has been banned by 138 school districts in 32 states. People cite its sexually explicit nature and the illustrations. Gender Queer has been banned from shelves in more states than any other book. Number of challenges: 106

This book has frequently been censored because it includes LGBTQIA+ content and profanity; it is also "claimed to be sexually explicit". In 2021, the American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom named it the third most banned and challenged book in the United States of the year; it was the second most challenged book in 2022 and 2023. School boards in at least ten states have removed the book from their libraries. Number of challenges: 82

Apart from mentioning sexual abuse, “Perks” has LGBTQIA+ themes, mental health, substance abuse, profanity and sexually explicit descriptions. The book was published on February 1, 1999. It was first banned in 2003 in Fairfax, Virginia, by the group Parents Against Bad Books. Number of challenges: 68

Award-winning author and artist Mike Curato draws on his own experiences in Flamer, his debut graphic novel, telling a difficult story with humor, compassion, and love. "This book will save lives". In 2022, Flamer became challenged and banned books in the U.S. due to LGBTQIA+ content, and being considered as “sexually explicit. Number of challenges- 67

The Bluest Eye has frequently landed on American Library Association's (ALA) list of most challenged books because it contains offensive language, sexually explicit material, and controversial issues, as well as depicting child sexual abuse and being unsuited for the age group. The ALA placed it on the Top Ten Most Challenged Books Lists for 2006, 2014, 2013, 2020, and 202. Ultimately, it became the 34th-most banned book in the United States 1990–1999,[36] the 15th-most banned book 2000–2009, and the 10th-most banned book 2010–2019. Number of challenges: 62

“The Hate U Give” is among the U.S.’ most banned titles, including being among ALA’s list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2021. The book, which was adapted into a film in 2019, was also removed from school libraries in Missouri last year and was challenged in 2022 in Kansas.

The Diary of a Young Girl has been challenged and censored many times since its first publishing in 1947. This book has been banned in several schools in the United States over the years. Mostly in regard to passages that were considered “sexually offensive,” as well as for the tragic nature of the book, which some felt might be “depressing” for young readers. However, the diary had not been officially censored until 1982 when parents of school children in Wise County, Virginia complained of the book being “sexually offensive.” The passages in question regarded Anne describing her anatomy, sexual feelings, and homosexual descriptions of her friend.

The book’s graphic portrayal of childhood rape, racism, and sexuality has caused it to be challenged or banned in some schools and libraries- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings has had thirty-nine public challenges or bans since 1983.