According to the American Library Association, a banned book is a book that has been removed from the shelf of a library or school. A challenged book is a book that some people think should be removed, but hasn't been removed from the shelves of a library or school.
Book banning and challenging are forms of censorship.
Hundreds of books are challenged and banned each year in the United States alone.
Every September, the American Library Association - and CCC Library! - celebrate our freedom to read banned and challenged books, and we advocate for the freedom to access information at schools and libraries.
Image source: American Library Association
Lexile 550
Banned: profanity and use of sexually explicit scenes
Lexile 750
Banned: profanity, sexual content, being anti-Christian, LGBTQIA+ characters
Lexile 790
Banned: talking animals, Pooh does not wear underpants
Lexile 600
Banned: profanity, sexual references, allegations of sexual misconduct by the author
Lexile: 600
Banned: LGBTQIA+ content
Lexile 660
Banned: profanity and sexually explicit content
Lexile 600
Banned: negative stereotypes
Lexile 730
Banned: explicit scenes
Lexile 590
Banned: profanity, sexual encounters, and violence
Lexile 720
Banned: drugs / alcohol / smoking, homosexuality, offensive language, sexually explicit
Lexile 770
Banned: profanity, drug use, alcoholism, thought to promote anti-police views
Lexile 740
Banned: LGBTQIA+ content
Lexile: 1000
Banned: teaches critical race theory, is "divisive"
Lexile 810
Banned: themes of rebellion and challenging authority
Lexile 870
Banned: racial slurs, featuring a “white savior” character
Lexile 890
Banned: LGBTQIA+ and sexual content
Lexile 970
Banned: racism, violence, nudity (in mouse caricatures), profanity
Lexile 1070
Banned: providing sexual education and LGBTQIA+ content
Lexile 880
Banned: witchcraft
Lexile 850
Banned: sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content.
Lexile 820
Banned: too "radical," violence
Lexile 850
Banned: crude language, sexual content
Lexile 920
Banned: considered sexually explicit, depicts child sexual abuse
Lexile 820
Banned: considered sexually explicit and degrading to women
Lexile: 850
Banned: racism, offensive language