Banned Books
Banned Books By Year
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2024's Top 10 Most Challenged BooksOut of the 2,452 unique titles targeted for censorship, this list captures the 10 most challenged books, as well as reasons cited for censoring those books. Each book also comes with its unique book resume, which helps students, teachers, librarians, parents, and community members defend books from censorship.
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Top 10 Most Challenged Books and Frequently Challenged Books ArchiveThe American Library Association condemns censorship and works to ensure free access to information. Every year, the Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) compiles a list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books in order to inform the public about censorship in libraries and schools. The lists are based on information from media stories and voluntary reports sent to OIF from communities across the U.S. Specific lists from 2001 - 2022 are included, alongside additional graphs and information from 1990 - 1999 and 2000 - 2009. Additionally, under the "Frequently Challenged Books List" area, you'll find most commonly challenged children's books, young adult books, classics, and books with diverse content.
Note: The American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom has only been collecting data about banned books since 1990. As a result, there are no data nor lists of frequently challenged books or authors before that date. Still, remember that book banning has been happening for centuries.
Top Banned Books by Year
TOP 10 MOST CHALLENGED BOOKS OF 2024
The American Library Association documented 821 attempts to censor materials and services at libraries, schools, and universities in 2024. The most common reasons for challenges were false claims of illegal obscenity for minors; inclusion of LGBTQIA+ characters or themes; and dealing with topics of race, racism, inclusivity, equity, and social justice. Of the 2,452 unique titles that were challenged or banned in 2024, here are the top 10 most frequently targeted.
- All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto by George M. Johnson
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- Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
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- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison (tied with 4)
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- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (tied with 3)
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- Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
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- Looking for Alaska by John Green (tied with 7)
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- Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews (tied with 6)
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- Crank by Ellen Hopkins (tied with 9)
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- Sold by Patricia McCormick (tied with 8)
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- Flamer by Mike Curato
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Information provided by: The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom
Visit The American Library Association's Banned & Challenged Books Webpage for more information.
TOP 10 MOST CHALLENGED BOOKS OF 2023
The American Library Association documented 1,247 attempts to censor materials and services at libraries, schools, and universities in 2023. Of the 4,240 unique titles that were challenged or banned in 2023, here are the top 10 most frequently challenged.
- Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit - All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson
Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit - This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson
Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, sex education, claimed to be sexually explicit - The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: claimed to be sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content, rape, drugs, profanity - Flamer by Mike Curato
Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit - The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Reasons: rape, incest, claimed to be sexually explicit, EDI content - Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews (tied with 8)
Reasons: claimed to be sexually explicit, profanity - Tricks by Ellen Hopkins (tied with 7)
Reasons: claimed to be sexually explicit, sex education, LGBTQIA+ content - Let's Talk About It by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan
Reasons: claimed to be sexually explicit, sex education, LGBTQIA+ content - Sold by Patricia McCormick
Reasons: claimed to be sexually explicit, rape
Information provided by: The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom
Visit The American Library Association's Banned & Challenged Books Webpage for more information.
TOP 13 MOST CHALLENGED BOOKS OF 2022
The American Library Association tracked 1,269 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2022. Of the 2,571 unique titles that were challenged or banned in 2022, here are the top 13 most challenged.
- Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit - All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson
Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit - The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Reasons: rape, incest, claimed to be sexually explicit, EDI content - Flamer by Mike Curato
Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit - Looking for Alaska by John Green (tied with 6)
Reasons: claimed to be sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content - The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (tied with 5)
Reasons: claimed to be sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content, rape, drugs, profanity - Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison
Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Reasons: claimed to be sexually explicit, profanity - Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez
Reasons: claimed to be sexually explicit - A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas (tied with 11, 12, and 13)
Reasons: claimed to be sexually explicit - Crank by Ellen Hopkins (tied with 11, 12, and 13)
Reasons: claimed to be sexually explicit, drugs - Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews (tied with 11, 12, and 13)
Reasons: claimed to be sexually explicit, profanity - This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson (tied with 11, 12, and 13)
Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, sex education, claimed to be sexually explicit
Information provided by: The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom
Visit The American Library Association's Banned & Challenged Books Webpage for more information.
TOP 10 MOST CHALLENGED BOOKS OF 2021
The American Library Association tracked 729 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2021. Of the 1,597 individual books that were challenged or banned in 2021, here are the top 10 most challenged:
- Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
Reasons: Banned, challenged, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to have sexually explicit images - Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison
Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to be sexually explicit - 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 - 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 - The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, violence, and it was thought to promote an anti-police message and indoctrination of a social agenda - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and use of derogatory terms - Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
Reasons: Banned and challenged because it was considered to be sexually explicit and degrading to women - The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Reasons: Banned and challenged because it depicts child sexual abuse and was considered sexually explicit - This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson
Reasons: Banned, challenged, relocated, and restricted for providing sexual education and LGBTQIA+ content - Beyond Magenta by Susan Kuklin
Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to be sexually explicit
Information provided by: The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom
Visit The American Library Association's Banned & Challenged Books Webpage for more information.
TOP 10 MOST CHALLENGED BOOKS OF 2020
The American Library Association tracked 156 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2020. A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials or services based on content. Overall, 273 books were targeted. Here are the "Top 10 Most Challenged Books in 2020," along with the reasons cited for censoring the books:
- George by Alex Gino
Reasons: Challenged, banned, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content, conflicting with a religious viewpoint, and not reflecting "the values of our community" - Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds
Reasons: Banned and challenged because of author's public statements, and because of claims that the book contains "selective storytelling incidents" and does not encompass racism against all people - All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, drug use, and alcoholism, and because it was thought to promote anti-police views, contain divisive topics, and be "too much of a sensitive matter right now" - Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Reasons: Banned, challenged, and restricted because it was thought to contain a political viewpoint and it was claimed to be biased against male students, and for the novel's inclusion of rape and profanity - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and allegations of sexual misconduct by the author - Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard, illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin
Reasons: Challenged for "divisive language" and because it was thought to promote anti-police views - To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Reasons: Banned and challenged for racial slurs and their negative effect on students, featuring a "white savior" character, and its perception of the Black experience - Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Reasons: Banned and challenged for racial slurs and racist stereotypes, and their negative effect on students - The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Reasons: Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and depicts child sexual abuse - The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Reasons: Challenged for profanity, and it was thought to promote an anti-police message
Information provided by: The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom
Visit The American Library Association's Banned & Challenged Books Webpage for more information.
TOP 10 CHALLENGED BOOKS OF 2019
The American Library Association tracked 377 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2019. Overall, 566 books were targeted. Here are the "Top 10 Most Challenged Books in 2019," along with the reasons cited for censoring the books.
- George by Alex Gino
Reasons: Challenged, banned, restricted, and hidden to avoid controversy; for LGBTQIA+ content and a transgender character; because schools and libraries should not "put books in a child's hand that require discussion"; for sexual references, and for conflicting with a religious viewpoint and "traditional family structure" - Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin
Reasons: Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, for "its effect on any young people who would read it," and for concerns that it was sexually explicit and biased - A Day in the Life of Marion Bundo by Jill Twiss, illustrated by EG Keller
Reasons: Challenged and vandalized for LGBTQIA+ content and political viewpoints, for concerns that it is "designed to pollute the morals of its readers," and for not including a content warning - Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg, illustrated by Fiona Smyth
Reasons: Challenged, banned, and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content; for discussing gender identity and sex education; and for concerns that the title and illustrations were "inappropriate" - Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack
Reasons: Challenged and restricted for featuring a gay marriage and LGBTQIA+ content; for being "a deliberate attempt to indoctrinate young children" with the potential to cause confusion, curiosity, and gender dysphoria; and for conflicting with a religious viewpoint - I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas
Reasons: Challenged and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content, for a transgender character, and for confronting a topic that is "sensitive, controversial, and politically charged" - The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity and for "vulgarity and sexual overtones" - Drama written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier
Reasons: Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and for concerns that it goes against "family values/morals" - Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Reasons: Banned and forbidden from discussion for referring to magic and witchcraft, for containing actual curses and spells, and for characters that use "nefarious means" to attain goals - And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, illustrated by Henry Cole
Reasons: Challenged and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content
Information provided by: The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom
Visit The American Library Association's Banned & Challenged Books Webpage for more information.
TOP 11 CHALLENGED BOOKS OF 2018
The American Library Association tracked 347 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2018. Of the 483 books that were challenged or banned in 2018, here are the top 11 most challenged:
- George by Alex Gino
Reasons: Banned, challenged, and relocated because it was believed to encourage children to clear browser history and change their bodies using hormones, and for mentioning "dirty magazines," describing male anatomy, "creating confusion," and including a transgender character - A Day in the Life of Marion Bundo by Jill Twiss, illustrated by EG Keller
Reasons: Banned and challenged for including LGBTQIA+ content, and for political and religious viewpoints - Captain Underpants series written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey
Reasons: Series was challenged because it was perceived as encouraging disruptive behavior, while Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot was challenged for including a same-sex couple - The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Reasons: Banned and challenged because it was deemed "anti-cop," and for profanity, drug use, and sexual references - Drama written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier
Reasons: Banned and challenged for including LGBTQIA+ characters and themes - Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Reasons: Banned, challenged, and restricted for addressing teen suicide - This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki
Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and certain illustrations - SkippyJon Jones series written and illustrated by Judy Schachner
Reasons: Challenged for depicting stereotypes of Mexican culture - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Reasons: Banned and challenged for sexual references, profanity, violence, gambling, and underage drinking, and for its religious viewpoints - This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Kristyna Litten
Reasons: Challenged and burned for including LGBTQIA+ content - Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan
Reasons: Challenged, burned, and hidden for including LGBTQIA+ content
Information provided by: The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom
Visit The American Library Association's Banned & Challenged Books Webpage for more information.
TOP 10 CHALLENGED BOOKS OF 2017
The American Library Association tracked 354 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2017. Of the 416 books that were challenged or banned in 2017, here are the top 10 most challenged:
- Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Reason: suicide - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Reasons: profanity, sexually explicit - Drama written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier
Reason: LGBT content - The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Reasons: sexual violence, religious themes, "may lead to terrorism" - George by Alex Gino
Reason: LGBT content - Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg, illustrated by Fiona Smyth
Reason: sex education - To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Reasons: violence, racial slurs - The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Reasons: drug use, profanity, "pervasively vulgar" - And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, illustrated by Henry Cole
Reason: LGBT content - I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas
Reason: gender identity
Information provided by: The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom
Visit The American Library Association's Banned & Challenged Books Webpage for more information.
TOP 10 MOST CHALLENGED BOOKS OF 2016
Of the 323 challenges recorded by the American Library Association in 2016, the top 10 challenged books are:
- This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki
Reasons: LGBT content, drug use, profanity, sexually explicit, mature themes - Drama written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier
Reasons: LGBT content, sexually explicit, offensive political viewpoint - George by Alex Gino
Reasons: LGBT content, "sexuality" - I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas
Reasons: LGBT content, language, sex education, offensive viewpoints - Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan
Reasons: LGBT content, sexually explicit - Looking for Alaska by John Green
Reason: sexually explicit - Big Hard Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction
Reason: sexually explicit - Make Something Up: Stories You Can't Unread by Chuck Palahniuk
Reasons: profanity, sexually explicit, "disgusting and all around offensive" - Little Bill (series) by Bill Cosby
Reason: criminal sexual allegations against the author - Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Reason: offensive language
Information provided by: The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom
Visit The American Library Association's Banned & Challenged Books Webpage for more information.
2015 BOOK CHALLENGES
Of 275 challenges recorded by the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom, the "2015 Top Ten Most Challenged Books" are:
- Looking for Alaska by John Green
Reasons: Sexually Explicit; Offensive Language; Drugs/Alcohol/Smoking - Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
Reason: Sexually Explicit - I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas
Reasons: Religious Viewpoint; Unsuited for Age Group - Beyond Magenta by Susan Kuklin
Reasons: Religious Viewpoint; Sex Education; Homosexuality; Offensive; Anti-Family - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
Reasons: Offensive Language; Unsuited for Age Group; "Atheism" - Holy Bible
Reasons: Religious Viewpoint; Violence; "Illegal" - Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
Reasons: Homosexuality; Graphic Images; Nudity - Habibi by Craig Thompson
Reasons: Sexually Explicit; Nudity - Nasreen's Secret School by Jeanette Winter
Reasons: Religious Viewpoint; Violence; "References to Islam" - Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan
Reasons: Homosexuality; "Condones Public Displays of Affection"
Information provided by: The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom
Visit The American Library Association's Banned & Challenged Books Webpage for more information.
2014 BOOK CHALLENGES
Out of 311 challenges recorded by the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom, the "Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2014" are:
- The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Reasons: Anti-family, cultural insensitivity, drugs/alcohol/smoking, gambling, offensive language, sex education, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group, violence. Additional reasons: "depictions of bullying." - Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Reasons: Gambling, offensive, political viewpoint. Additional reasons: "politically, racially, and socially offensive." "graphic depictions." - And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, illustrated by Henry Cole
Reasons: Anti-family, homosexuality, political viewpoint, religious viewpoint, unsuited for age group. Additional reasons: "promotes the homosexual agenda." - The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Reasons: Sexually explicit, unsuited for age group. Additional reasons: "contains controversial issues." - It's Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris
Reasons: Nudity, sex education, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group. Additional reasons: "alleges it [to be] child pornography." - Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples
Reasons: Anti-family, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited for age group. - The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Reasons: Offensive language, unsuited to age group, violence. - The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: Drugs/alcohol/smoking, homosexuality, offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group. Additional reasons: "date rape and masturbation." - A Stolen Life: A Memoir by Jaycee Dugard
Reasons: Drugs/alcohol/smoking, offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited for age group. - Drama written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier
Reasons: Sexually explicit
Information provided by: The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom
Visit The American Library Association's Banned & Challenged Books Webpage for more information.
Banned Books List
These brochures list books challenged, restricted, removed, or banned. Click on the links below to download a PDF of each list from 2004 to the current year.
- Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2015-2016 (PDF)
- Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2014-2015 (PDF)
- Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2013-2014 (PDF)
- Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2012-2013 (PDF)
- Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2011-2012 (PDF)
- Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2010-2011 (PDF)
- Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2009-2010 (PDF)
- Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2008-2009 (PDF)
- Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2007-2008 (PDF)
- Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2006-2007 (PDF)
- Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2005-2006 (PDF)
- Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2004-2005 (PDF)
- Books Challenged and/or Banned - 2003-2004 (PDF)
- Top 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books: 2010-2019
- Top 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books: 2000-2009
- Top 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books: 1990-1999