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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.
List Order
First published in 1999
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13 editions
| December 7, 2023 | Edited by Lucas Wentworth | Edited without comment. |
| December 7, 2023 | Edited by Lucas Wentworth | Updated list. |
| December 7, 2023 | Edited by Lucas Wentworth | Updated list. |
| December 7, 2023 | Edited by Lucas Wentworth | Updated list. |
| December 7, 2023 | Created by Lucas Wentworth | Edited without comment. |
