Banned books are books that "have been considered unfit to read in schools or have in libraries. These books have been the target of censorship due to their contents. Books may be banned locally, but in some instances are banned nationally as well. A banned book is not illegal to read, but may be difficult to find. It is not uncommon for a book to be banned from some schools, but be on the reading lists for others" (Information Commons, Butler University).
Why does CCC Library care about banned books?
Want to read a banned book? Awesome.
Banned Books Week is an annual event (since 1982!) celebrating the freedom to read, advocating for the free and open access information, and fighting censorship. Banned Books Week is always the last week of September. Learn more about frequently-challenged and Top Ten lists of banned books.
ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) shares that data "shows that the majority of book censorship attempts are now originating from organized movements." Most of the targeted books were written by or about members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people of color, or covered topics of race, racism, equity, and social justice. Here are the most challenged books in 2024, along with the challenge reasons:
1. “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
2. “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
3. (TIE) “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison
Challenged for: depiction of sexual abuse, claimed to be sexually explicit, EDI content
3. (TIE) “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content, depiction of sexual abuse, drugs, profanity
5. "Tricks" by Ellen Hopkins
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit
6. (TIE) “Looking for Alaska” by John Green
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit
6. (TIE) “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” by Jesse Andrews
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, profanity
8. (TIE) “Crank” by Ellen Hopkins
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, depiction of drug use
8. (TIE) “Sold” by Patricia McCormick
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, depiction of sexual assault
10. “Flamer” by Mike Curato
Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
Image source: American Library Association, ala.org
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