Each year, the American Library Association documents the challenges libraries receive for books in their collections. This means that community members have tried, sometimes successfully, to have a book removed from a library's collection. When this happens, it makes it harder for community members to access these books. We stand with the American Library Association in opposing censorship. You can read more about Banned Books Week from the American Library Association's website, and you can see last year's 10 most frequently challenged and banned books below, along with the reasons they were reportedly challenged. Celebrate your freedom to read and check one out today!
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George by Alex Gino Knowing herself to be a girl despite her outwardly male appearance, George is denied a female role in the class play before teaming up with a friend to reveal her true self. 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” |
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Beyond magenta : transgender teens speak out by Susan Kuklin Shares insights into the teen transgender experience, tracing six individual's emotional and physical journey as it was shaped by family dynamics, living situations, and the transition each teen made during the personal journey. 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 |
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A day in the life of Marlon Bundo by Marlon Bundo When Vice President Mike Pence's pet rabbit Marlon Bundo and another male bunny fall in love and decide to get married, they encounter opposition from a rule-making stink bug until their animal friends, who embrace individuality, decide to vote on the issue. 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 |
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Sex is a funny word : a book about bodies, feelings, and YOU by Cory Silverberg A comic book for kids that includes children and families of all makeups, orientations, and gender identies, Sex Is a Funny Word is an essential resource about bodies, gender, and sexuality for children ages 8 to 10 as well as their parents and caregivers. Much more than the "facts of life" or "the birds and the bees," Sex Is a Funny Word opens up conversations between young people and their caregivers in a way that allows adults to convey their values and beliefs while providing information about boundaries, safety, and joy. 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” |
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Prince & knight by Daniel Haack A prince and a knight in shining armor find true love in each other's embrace after fighting a dragon together. 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 |
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I am Jazz! by Jessica Herthel Based on the young co-author's real-life experiences, the story of a transgender child traces her early awareness that she is a girl in spite of male anatomy and the acceptance she finds through a wise doctor who explains her natural transgender status. Reasons: Challenged and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content, for a transgender character, and for confronting a topic that is “sensitive, controversial, and politically charged” |
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The handmaid's tale by Margaret Atwood A chilling look at the near future presents the story of Offred, a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead, once the United States, an oppressive world where women are no longer allowed to read and are valued only as long as they are viable for reproduction. Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity and for “vulgarity and sexual overtones” |
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Drama by Raina Telgemeier Designing sets for her middle school's play, Callie tries to overcome limited carpentry skills, low ticket sales and squabbling crew members only to find her efforts further complicated by the arrival of two cute brothers. By the award-winning author of Smile. Reasons: Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and for concerns that it goes against “family values/morals” |
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Harry Potter and the sorcerer's stone by J. K. Rowling A winner of England's National Book Award, the acclaimed debut novel tells the outrageously funny, fantastic adventure story of Harry Potter, who escapes a hideous foster home thanks to an invitation to The Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. 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 |
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And Tango makes three by Justin Richardson When male penguins Silo and Roy attempt to hatch an egg-shaped rock and find no success in their efforts, the zookeepers decide to place a fertilized penguin egg in their cage and end up with little baby Tango, in an amusing tale based on a true story from the Central Park Zoo. Reason: Challenged and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content |