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  • Cover of: Include characters of color or discuss race and racism

    Include characters of color or discuss race and racism

    by Lucas Wentworth
    6 items Last modified December 7, 2023

    This was the fourth top category of banned books according to Pen America (https://pen.org/report/banned-in-the-usa-state-laws-supercharge-book-suppression-in-schools/)

    Metadata on books included:

    “Ghost Boys” By Jewell Parker Rhodes
    This story is about a 12-year-old boy named Jerome who is shot and killed by a police officer who mistook his toy gun for a real one. As a ghost, Jerome observes his family’s and communities’ devastation and the rise of a movement. This story is often banned because of discussions of race and racism.

    “The Hate U Give” By Angie Thomas
    This best-selling debut novel, The Hate U Give, follows a teenage girl who, after witnessing her Black friend killed by the police, grapples with the aftermath of his death. The novel eventually became a film in 2018 and is a sobering story of racism, police brutality and activism. This is another book frequently banned for discussing racism by police.

    "Out of Darkness" By Ashley Hope Pérez
    This novel is set in the 1930s and chronicles a love affair between two teenagers, a young Mexican American girl and an African American boy in East Texas. This has been banned because of sexually explicit content and themes of interracial relationships.

    "Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie
    This graphic novel is about Native youth Arnold Junior, his life on the Spokane Indian Reservation and his decision to go to a nearly all-white public high school away from the reservation. It is often banned due to issues of race and racism.

    "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison
    Toni Morrison’s first novel, this book tells the story of Pecola Breedlove, an eleven-year-old African American girl who is convinced that she is ugly and that the only way to change her rough circumstances is to have lighter skin and blue eyes. This is often banned because of discussions of race as well as sexuality and abuse.

    "Separate Is Never Equal: Slyvia Mendez and her Family’s Fight for Desegregation" By Duncan Tonatiuh
    Set in the late 1940s, this book is about a character named Sylvia Mendez who is forced to overcome the ills of segregation when her family moves to California and is turned away from attending the neighborhood school. This has been banned widely due to perceived anti-police propaganda and discussions of racial issues.

  • Cover of: Themes of violence and physical abuse

    Themes of violence and physical abuse

    by Lucas Wentworth
    6 items Last modified December 7, 2023

    This was the top category of banned books according to Pen America (https://pen.org/report/banned-in-the-usa-state-laws-supercharge-book-suppression-in-schools/)

    Metadata for books included:

    “Lucky” by Alice Sebold
    This is a memoir written by the author of the popular book "The Lovely Bones". In this memoir Sebold details in explicit detail her rape and brutal assault while a freshman in the 1980’s. While the depiction of sexual assault is the reason for its banning, it is really about what happens after and her experiences navigating family, friends, the medical establishment and the legal system.

    “The Sun and Her Flowers” by Rupi Kaur
    This is the poet's second book of poetry, a follow-up to the immensely popular "Milk and Honey”, which was also widely banned when released. This collection, like the first, touches on themes of abuse, trauma, infanticide and violence.

    “The 57 bus” by Dashka Slater
    This controversial nonfiction book for teens tells the story of an agender teen who was set on fire by another teen while riding a bus in Oakland, California. It has been banned because of its themes of race and gender.

    “Ghost Boys” By Jewell Parker Rhodes
    This story is about a 12-year-old boy named Jerome who is shot and killed by a police officer who mistook his toy gun for a real one. As a ghost, Jerome observes his family’s and communities’ devastation and the rise of a movement. This story is often banned because of discussions of race and racism.

    “Thirteen Reasons Why” By Jay Asher
    The original book that inspired the widely popular Netflix series in 2017 is about a young high school freshman’s motivations behind her suicide, disturbingly portrays the devastating repercussions of experiencing trauma in adolescence. This has been banned because of sexual discussions and suicide.

    “The Hate U Give” By Angie Thomas
    This best-selling debut novel, The Hate U Give, follows a teenage girl who, after witnessing her Black friend killed by the police, grapples with the aftermath of his death. The novel eventually became a film in 2018 and is a sobering story of racism, police brutality and activism. This is another book frequently banned for discussing racism by police.

  • Cover of: Themes of grief and death

    Themes of grief and death

    by Lucas Wentworth
    7 items Last modified December 7, 2023

    This was the third top category of banned books according to Pen America (https://pen.org/report/banned-in-the-usa-state-laws-supercharge-book-suppression-in-schools/)

    Metadata for books included:

    “Thirteen Reasons Why” By Jay Asher
    The original book that inspired the widely popular Netflix series in 2017 is about a young high school freshman’s motivations behind her suicide, disturbingly portrays the devastating repercussions of experiencing trauma in adolescence. This has been banned because of sexual discussions and suicide.

    “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” by Jesse Andrews
    This is a novel about a socially awkward high school senior who, along with his friend and fellow amateur filmmaker, befriends a classmate who is dying of leukemia. Though the novel is very popular, it has been frequently banned due to complaints about sexually explicit content as well as discussions of death and dying deemed inappropriate.

    “The Sun and Her Flowers” by Rupi Kaur
    This is the poet's second book of poetry, a follow-up to the immensely popular "Milk and Honey”, which was also widely banned when released. This collection, like the first, touches on themes of abuse, trauma, infanticide and violence.

    “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky
    This book which later became a movie is about a socially awkward teen named Charlie who is always watching life from the sidelines, until he meets two charismatic students and gets into a series of misadventures. This is often banned because of its discussions of sexuality.

    “Lucky” by Alice Sebold
    This is a memoir written by the author of the popular book "The Lovely Bones". In this memoir Sebold details in explicit detail her rape and brutal assault while a freshman in the 1980’s. While the depiction of sexual assault is the reason for its banning, it is really about what happens after and her experiences navigating family, friends, the medical establishment and the legal system.

    “Ghost Boys” By Jewell Parker Rhodes
    This story is about a 12-year-old boy named Jerome who is shot and killed by a police officer who mistook his toy gun for a real one. As a ghost, Jerome observes his family’s and communities’ devastation and the rise of a movement. This story is often banned because of discussions of race and racism.

    “The Hate U Give” By Angie Thomas
    This best-selling debut novel, The Hate U Give, follows a teenage girl who, after witnessing her Black friend killed by the police, grapples with the aftermath of his death. The novel eventually became a film in 2018 and is a sobering story of racism, police brutality and activism. This is another book frequently banned for discussing racism by police.

  • Cover of: Include LGBTQ+ characters or themes

    Include LGBTQ+ characters or themes

    by Lucas Wentworth
    7 items Last modified December 7, 2023

    This was the fifth top category of banned books according to Pen America (https://pen.org/report/banned-in-the-usa-state-laws-supercharge-book-suppression-in-schools/)

    Metadata for books included:

    “Gender Queer: A Memoir” By Maia Kobabe
    This is one of the most banned book in the U.S. This graphic novel depicts Kobabe’s personal journey with gender identity and sexual orientation. This book discusses the authors journey from the confusion of adolescent crushes to the struggles of coming out, bonding with friends over erotic gay fanfiction and facing traumas.

    “Lawn Boy” By Jonathan Evison
    The YA story is about a character named Mike trying to understand a sexual encounter he had as a 10-year-old at a youth group meeting with another 10-year-old boy. This has been widely banned for perceived profanity, pornography and homosexuality.

    “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson
    This is a young adult nonfiction "memoir-manifesto" by the journalist and activist author. The book consists of a series of essays following Johnson's journey growing up as a queer Black man in New Jersey and Virginia. It is another of the most commonly banned books due to discussions of sexuality, gender.

    “Beyond Magenta” by Susan Kucklin
    For this collection of essays, the author met and interviewed six transgender or gender-neutral young adults, describing their sense of identity before, during, and after transitioning. This is often banned because of conversations about gender identity and sexuality.

    “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas
    This is a popular series of fantasy novels about a young woman who is taken to a faerie kingdom at war. These books are banned in numerous school districts around the country because they contain sex scenes and themes of abusive relationships.

    “Carry On” by Rainbow Rowell
    This story follows the final year of magical schooling for Simon Snow, who is prophesied to defeat the evil force that has been wreaking havoc for years. This novel is very up front about having queer characters and thus has been banned because of gender and sexuality discussions.

    "This Book is Gay" by James Dawson
    This book is a memoir about a young person coming to terms with her sexuality and her 'coming out', as well as her first relationship. This is often banned because of conversations about gender identity and sexuality.

  • Cover of: Topics on healthcare for students

    Topics on healthcare for students

    by Lucas Wentworth
    6 items Last modified December 7, 2023

    This was the second top category of banned books according to Pen America (https://pen.org/report/banned-in-the-usa-state-laws-supercharge-book-suppression-in-schools/)

    Metadata for books included:

    "Gender Queer: A Memoir" By Maia Kobabe
    This is one of the most banned book in the U.S. This graphic novel depicts Kobabe’s personal journey with gender identity and sexual orientation. This book discusses the authors journey from the confusion of adolescent crushes to the struggles of coming out, bonding with friends over erotic gay fanfiction and facing traumas.

    "All Boys Aren’t Blue" by George M. Johnson
    This is a young adult nonfiction "memoir-manifesto" by the journalist and activist author. The book consists of a series of essays following Johnson's journey growing up as a queer Black man in New Jersey and Virginia. It is another of the most commonly banned books due to discussions of sexuality, gender.

    "Beyond Magenta" by Susan Kucklin
    For this collection of essays, the author met and interviewed six transgender or gender-neutral young adults, describing their sense of identity before, during, and after transitioning. This is often banned because of conversations about gender identity and sexuality.

    "This Book is Gay" by James Dawson
    This book is a memoir about a young person coming to terms with her sexuality and her 'coming out', as well as her first relationship. This is often banned because of conversations about gender identity and sexuality.

    "Thirteen Reasons Why" By Jay Asher
    The original book that inspired the widely popular Netflix series in 2017 is about a young high school freshman’s motivations behind her suicide, disturbingly portrays the devastating repercussions of experiencing trauma in adolescence. This has been banned because of sexual discussions and suicide.

    "L8r, G8r" by Lauren Myracle
    This is the third book in Myracle's "Internet Girls" series. This story is a coming-of-age tale for young girls written entirely in internet-speak and instant messages. It has been removed from multiple schools for its use of profanity and its themes of sexuality as part of its plot.

  • Cover of: Tennessee

    Tennessee

    by Lucas Wentworth
    5 items Last modified December 7, 2023

    Tennessee has the fourth most book challenges in 2023 according to the ALA (https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/book-ban-data)

    The books on this list were chosen from The Tennessean (https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/education/2023/07/17/tennessee-book-bans-here-are-the-titles-challenged-in-the-state/70407318007/)

    Metadata for books included:

    “The 57 bus” by Dashka Slater
    This controversial nonfiction book for teens tells the story of an agender teen who was set on fire by another teen while riding a bus in Oakland, California. It has been banned because of its themes of race and gender.

    “The Hate U Give” By Angie Thomas
    This best-selling debut novel follows a teenage girl who, after witnessing her Black friend killed by the police, grapples with the aftermath of his death. The novel eventually became a film in 2018 and is a sobering story of racism, police brutality and activism. This is another book frequently banned for discussing racism by police.

    “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky
    This book which later became a movie is about a socially awkward teen named Charlie who is always watching life from the sidelines, until he meets two charismatic students and gets into a series of misadventures. This is often banned because of its discussions of sexuality.

    "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J. Maas
    This is a popular series of fantasy novels about a young woman who is taken to a faerie kingdom at war. These books are banned in numerous school districts around the country because they contain sex scenes and themes of abusive relationships.

    “Carry On” by Rainbow Rowell
    This story follows the final year of magical schooling for Simon Snow, who is prophesied to defeat the evil force that has been wreaking havoc for years. This novel is very up front about having queer characters and thus has been banned because of gender and sexuality discussions.

  • Cover of: Virginia

    Virginia

    by Lucas Wentworth
    9 items Last modified December 7, 2023

    Virginia had the second most book challenges in 2023 according to the ALA (https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/book-ban-data)

    The books on this list were taken from Richmond.com (https://richmond.com/news/local/education/book-banning-debate-reignites-in-virginia/article_1acec7f8-fa67-11ed-91bc-7bba29ca3932.html)

    Metadata for books included:

    "Gender Queer: A Memoir" By Maia Kobabe
    This is one of the most banned book in the U.S. This graphic novel depicts Kobabe’s personal journey with gender identity and sexual orientation. This book discusses the authors journey from the confusion of adolescent crushes to the struggles of coming out, bonding with friends over erotic gay fanfiction and facing traumas.

    "All Boys Aren’t Blue" by George M. Johnson
    This is a young adult nonfiction "memoir-manifesto" by the journalist and activist author. The book consists of a series of essays following Johnson's journey growing up as a queer Black man in New Jersey and Virginia. It is another of the most commonly banned books due to discussions of sexuality, gender.

    "Lawn Boy" By Jonathan Evison
    The YA story is about a character named Mike trying to understand a sexual encounter he had as a 10-year-old at a youth group meeting with another 10-year-old boy. This has been widely banned for perceived profanity, pornography and homosexuality.
    Out of Darkness By Ashley Hope Pérez
    This novel is set in the 1930s and chronicles a love affair between two teenagers, a young Mexican American girl and an African American boy in East Texas. This has been banned because of sexually explicit content and themes of interracial relationships.

    "The Hate U Give" By Angie Thomas
    This best-selling debut novel follows a teenage girl who, after witnessing her Black friend killed by the police, grapples with the aftermath of his death. The novel eventually became a film in 2018 and is a sobering story of racism, police brutality and activism. This is another book frequently banned for discussing racism by police.

    "Out of Darkness" By Ashley Hope Pérez
    This novel is set in the 1930s and chronicles a love affair between two teenagers, a young Mexican American girl and an African American boy in East Texas. This has been banned because of sexually explicit content and themes of interracial relationships.

    "Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie
    This graphic novel is about Native youth Arnold Junior, his life on the Spokane Indian Reservation and his decision to go to a nearly all-white public high school away from the reservation. It is often banned due to issues of race and racism.

    "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" by Jesse Andrews
    This is a novel about a socially awkward high school senior who, along with his friend and fellow amateur filmmaker, befriends a classmate who is dying of leukemia. Though the novel is very popular, it has been frequently banned due to complaints about sexually explicit content as well as discussions of death and dying deemed inappropriate.

    "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison
    Toni Morrison’s first novel, this book tells the story of Pecola Breedlove, an eleven-year-old African American girl who is convinced that she is ugly and that the only way to change her rough circumstances is to have lighter skin and blue eyes. This is often banned because of discussions of race as well as sexuality and abuse.

    "Beyond Magenta" by Susan Kucklin
    For this collection of essays, the author met and interviewed six transgender or gender-neutral young adults, describing their sense of identity before, during, and after transitioning. This is often banned because of conversations about gender identity and sexuality.

  • Cover of: Idaho

    Idaho

    by Lucas Wentworth
    10 items Last modified December 7, 2023

    Idaho had the fifth most book challenges in 2023 according to the ALA (https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/book-ban-data)

    The books on this list were taken from Idaho Statesman (https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/education/article261361582.html)

    Metadata for books included:

    "Gender Queer: A Memoir" By Maia Kobabe
    This is one of the most banned book in the U.S. This graphic novel depicts Kobabe’s personal journey with gender identity and sexual orientation. This book discusses the authors journey from the confusion of adolescent crushes to the struggles of coming out, bonding with friends over erotic gay fanfiction and facing traumas.

    "All Boys Aren’t Blue" by George M. Johnson
    This is a young adult nonfiction "memoir-manifesto" by the journalist and activist author. The book consists of a series of essays following Johnson's journey growing up as a queer Black man in New Jersey and Virginia. It is another of the most commonly banned books due to discussions of sexuality, gender.

    "Lawn Boy" By Jonathan Evison
    The YA story is about a character named Mike trying to understand a sexual encounter he had as a 10-year-old at a youth group meeting with another 10-year-old boy. This has been widely banned for perceived profanity, pornography and homosexuality.
    Out of Darkness By Ashley Hope Pérez
    This novel is set in the 1930s and chronicles a love affair between two teenagers, a young Mexican American girl and an African American boy in East Texas. This has been banned because of sexually explicit content and themes of interracial relationships.

    "The Hate U Give" By Angie Thomas
    This best-selling debut novel follows a teenage girl who, after witnessing her Black friend killed by the police, grapples with the aftermath of his death. The novel eventually became a film in 2018 and is a sobering story of racism, police brutality and activism. This is another book frequently banned for discussing racism by police.

    "Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie
    This graphic novel is about Native youth Arnold Junior, his life on the Spokane Indian Reservation and his decision to go to a nearly all-white public high school away from the reservation. It is often banned due to issues of race and racism.

    "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" by Jesse Andrews
    This is a novel about a socially awkward high school senior who, along with his friend and fellow amateur filmmaker, befriends a classmate who is dying of leukemia. Though the novel is very popular, it has been frequently banned due to complaints about sexually explicit content as well as discussions of death and dying deemed inappropriate.

    "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison
    Toni Morrison’s first novel, this book tells the story of Pecola Breedlove, an eleven-year-old African American girl who is convinced that she is ugly and that the only way to change her rough circumstances is to have lighter skin and blue eyes. This is often banned because of discussions of race as well as sexuality and abuse.

    "Beyond Magenta" by Susan Kucklin
    For this collection of essays, the author met and interviewed six transgender or gender-neutral young adults, describing their sense of identity before, during, and after transitioning. This is often banned because of conversations about gender identity and sexuality.

    "This Book is Gay" by James Dawson
    This book is a memoir about a young person coming to terms with her sexuality and her 'coming out', as well as her first relationship. This is often banned because of conversations about gender identity and sexuality.

  • Cover of: Texas

    Texas

    by Lucas Wentworth
    10 items Last modified December 7, 2023

    Texas has the most book challenges in 2023 according to the ALA (https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/book-ban-data)

    The books on this list were taken from Houstonia Magazine (https://www.houstoniamag.com/arts-and-culture/banned-books-in-texas-schools)

    Metadata for books included:

    "Separate Is Never Equal: Slyvia Mendez and her Family’s Fight for Desegregation" By Duncan Tonatiuh
    Set in the late 1940s, this book is about a character named Sylvia Mendez who is forced to overcome the ills of segregation when her family moves to California and is turned away from attending the neighborhood school. This has been banned widely due to perceived anti-police propaganda and discussions of racial issues.

    "What If It’s Us" By Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli
    This YA comedy novel is about two young men named Ben and Arthur and how a scheduled summer in New York turns into a queer romance story. The reasons cited for banning this novel are homosexuality and sexually explicit content.

    "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" by Jesse Andrews
    This is a novel about a socially awkward high school senior who, along with his friend and fellow amateur filmmaker, befriends a classmate who is dying of leukemia. Though the novel is very popular, it has been frequently banned due to complaints about sexually explicit content as well as discussions of death and dying deemed inappropriate.

    "Thirteen Reasons Why" By Jay Asher
    The original book that inspired the widely popular Netflix series in 2017 is about a young high school freshman’s motivations behind her suicide, disturbingly portrays the devastating repercussions of experiencing trauma in adolescence. This has been banned because of sexual discussions and suicide.

    "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" By Isabel Wilkerson
    Although one of the rare nonfiction banned books, this book by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson about the American class system and its impacts on our society has been banned because of “racially insensitive language”.

    "Lawn Boy" By Jonathan Evison
    The YA story is about a character named Mike trying to understand a sexual encounter he had as a 10-year-old at a youth group meeting with another 10-year-old boy. This has been widely banned for perceived profanity, pornography and homosexuality.

    "Gender Queer: A Memoir" By Maia Kobabe
    This is one of the most banned book in the U.S. This graphic novel depicts Kobabe’s personal journey with gender identity and sexual orientation. This book discusses the authors journey from the confusion of adolescent crushes to the struggles of coming out, bonding with friends over erotic gay fanfiction and facing traumas.

    "Out of Darkness" By Ashley Hope Pérez
    This novel is set in the 1930s and chronicles a love affair between two teenagers, a young Mexican American girl and an African American boy in East Texas. This has been banned because of sexually explicit content and themes of interracial relationships.

    "Ghost Boys" By Jewell Parker Rhodes
    This story is about a 12-year-old boy named Jerome who is shot and killed by a police officer who mistook his toy gun for a real one. As a ghost, Jerome observes his family’s and communities’ devastation and the rise of a movement. This story is often banned because of discussions of race and racism.

    "The Hate U Give" By Angie Thomas
    This best-selling debut novel follows a teenage girl who, after witnessing her Black friend killed by the police, grapples with the aftermath of his death. The novel became a film in 2018 and is a sobering story of racism, police brutality and activism. This is another book frequently banned for discussing racism by police.

  • Cover of: Florida

    Florida

    by Lucas Wentworth
    5 items Last modified December 7, 2023

    Florida has the third most book challenges in 2023 according to the ALA (https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/book-ban-data)

    The books on this list were taken from Tampa's local news (https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/education/florida-banned-more-than-300-books-from-schools/67-4643cdf2-777b-4805-aae4-e22485285fda)

    Metadata for books included:

    "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J. Maas
    This is a popular series of fantasy novels about a young woman who is taken to a faerie kingdom at war. These books are banned in numerous school districts around the country because they contain sex scenes and themes of abusive relationships.

    "Lucky" by Alice Sebold
    This is a memoir written by the author of the popular book "The Lovely Bones". In this memoir Sebold details in explicit detail her rape and brutal assault while a freshman in the 1980’s. While the depiction of sexual assault is the reason for its banning, it is really about what happens after and her experiences navigating family, friends, the medical establishment and the legal system.

    "L8r, G8r" by Lauren Myracle
    This is the third book in Myracle's "Internet Girls" series. This story is a coming-of-age tale for young girls written entirely in internet-speak and instant messages. It has been removed from multiple schools for its use of profanity and its themes of sexuality as part of its plot.

    "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" by Jesse Andrews
    This is a novel about a socially awkward high school senior who, along with his friend and fellow amateur filmmaker, befriends a classmate who is dying of leukemia. Though the novel is very popular, it has been frequently banned due to complaints about sexually explicit content as well as discussions of death and dying deemed inappropriate.

    "The Sun and Her Flowers" by Rupi Kaur
    This is the poet's second book of poetry, a follow-up to the immensely popular "Milk and Honey”, which was also widely banned when released. This collection, like the first, touches on themes of abuse, trauma, infanticide and violence.

Recent Activity

When What Who Comment
December 7, 2023 Lucas Wentworth
December 7, 2023 Lucas Wentworth Removed Lawn boy from the list.
December 7, 2023 Lucas Wentworth Added Separate is never equal to the list.
December 7, 2023 Lucas Wentworth
December 7, 2023 Lucas Wentworth Added The Hate U Give to the list.