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Banned Books Week Day 2: The Big 10

September 19, 2022 Elizabeth Ivey

As I mentioned yesterday, the American Library Association keeps track of of books are banned and challenged in a given year (more on those definitions in my post yesterday).

Here is the list from last year, including why each was challenged/banned:

(Copied from the ALA's site - see the list and other background info here)

1. Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

Reasons: Banned, challenged, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content, and because it was considered to have sexually explicit images.

2. Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison

Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to be sexually explicit.

3. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson

Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, profanity, and because it was considered to be sexually explicit.

4.* Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez

Reasons: Banned, challenged, and restricted for depictions of abuse and because it was considered to be sexually explicit.

5. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, violence, and because it was thought to promote an anti-police message and indoctrination of a social agenda.

6. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references and use of a derogatory term.

7. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

Reasons: Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and degrading to women.

8. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

Reasons: Banned and challenged because it depicts child sexual abuse and was considered sexually explicit.

9. This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson

Reasons: Banned, challenged, relocated, and restricted for providing sexual education and LGBTQIA+ content.

10. Beyond Magenta by Susan Kuklin

Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to be sexually explicit.

*It's interesting that this one made it all the way up to number 4, given it was put on the radar when a school board meeting in Texas went viral in September of last year.

We also sometimes see repeats from year to year - Numbers 6 and 8 are frequent offenders.


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Tags Banned/Challenged Books, Books I've read, current events
← Banned Books Week Day 3: Childhood ChallengesBanned Books Week Day 1: Rules and Regulations →

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