Banned Books Week

Book Ban Data

Celebrate your freedom to read with a book from any of the challenged books lists and read more about banned and challenged books on the ALA Banned Book FAQ.

The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom documented 4,240 unique book titles targeted for censorship in 2023—a 65% surge over 2022 numbers—as well as 1,247 demands to censor library books, materials, and resources. Pressure groups focused on public libraries in addition to targeting school libraries. The number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92% over the previous year, accounting for about 46% of all book challenges in 2023. The most challenged and reasons cited for censoring the books are listed below:

1. Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
   Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
   HQ77.8.K628 A3 2020
2. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
   Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
   HQ76.27.A37 J644 2020
3. This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson
   Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, providing sexual education, claimed to be sexually explicit
   HQ76.26.D39 2021
4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
   Challenged for: depiction of sexual abuse, LGBTQIA+ content, drug use, profanity, claimed to be sexually explicit
   xChbosky
5. Flamer by Mike Curato
   Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
   xCurato
6. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
   Challenged for: depiction of sexual abuse, EDI content, claimed to be sexually explicit
   PS3563.O8749 B55 2000
7. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
   Challenged for: profanity, claimed to be sexually explicit
   PS3601.N373 M38 2015
8. Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
   Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, drugs, rape, LGBTQIA+ content
9. Let's Talk About It: The Teen's Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan
   Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, sex education, LGBTQIA+ content
10. Sold by Patricia McCormick
    Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, rape
    xMcCormick