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Book Banning and Censorship: Banned Books Week 2022

A collection of books that have been frequently banned, challenged, or restricted according to the American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom.

2021 Top Ten Challenged Books

Graphic of #1 Most-Challenged Book in 2021

#1 Most Challenged Book of 2021
Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
For LGBTQIA+ content considered sexually explicit

Graphic of #2 Most-Challenged Book in 2021

#2 Most Challenged Book of 2021
Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison
For LGBTQIA+ content considered sexually explicit

Graphic of #3 Most-Challenged Book in 2021

#3 Most Challenged Book of 2021
All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto by George M. Johnson
For LGBTQIA+ content, profanity, considered sexually explicit

Graphic of #4 Most-Challenged Book in 2021

#4 Most Challenged Book of 2021
Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez
For depictions of abuse, considered sexually explicit

Graphic of #5 Most-Challenged Book in 2021

#5 Most Challenged Book of 2021
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
For profanity, violence, considered anti-police, "indoctrination of a social agenda"

Graphic of #6 Most-Challenged Book in 2021

#6 Most Challenged Book of 2021
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
For profanity, sexual references, use of derogatory terms

Graphic of #7 Most-Challenged Book in 2021

#7 Most Challenged Book of 2021
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
Considered sexually explicit and degrading to women

Graphic of #8 Most-Challenged Book in 2021

#8 Most Challenged Book of 2021
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
For depiction of child sexual abuse, considered sexually explicit

Graphic of #9 Most-Challenged Book in 2021

#9 Most Challenged Book of 2021
This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson
For LGBTQIA+ content, providing sexual education

Graphic of #10 Most-Challenged Book in 2021

#10 Most Challenged Book of 2021
Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin
For LGBTQIA+ content, considered sexually explicit

Facts about Censorship: Banned Book Week 2022

Reasons for Challenges Graphic

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About Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read and spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools.

"In a time of intense political polarization, library staff in every state are facing an unprecedented number of attempts to ban books. [American Library Association]'s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 729 challenges to library, school and university materials and services in 2021, resulting in more than 1,597 individual book challenges or removals.

Most targeted books were by or about Black or LGBTQIA+ persons."

Source: Banned Books Week Website by the American Library Association