making-marginalia

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Gender Queer and the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2024

For my assessment post on Books Unbanned, I reviewed the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023. Reviewing this list made me realise I’d not read most of them and decided to read and review one for my assessment post on censorship. I chose Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe because I like graphic novels and memoirs, a non-binary friend had said it was “perfect”, and I knew it was available digitally from my library. 

Since writing that post, the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2024 (American Library Association, 2025b) has come out and Gender Queer is once again, on the list. 

(ALA, 2025a)

The American Library Association (2025b) reports that the most common justifications for censorship were complaints about perceived obscenity, inclusion of LGBTQIA+ themes, and topics of race, equity, and social justice.  Gender Queer is challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and claims it is sexually explicit.

Attempts to censor library materials are increasing and nearly 72% of challenges come from political pressure groups (ALA, 2025a). Libraries have a professional obligation to stand up against censorship attempts and ensure that the library contains resources for everyone.  For example, the Australian Library and Information Association [ALIA] (2021) Standards and Guidelines for Australian Public Libraries state that library collections should contain diverse content and represent diverse viewpoints and people. The guidelines specifically state that the perception that items may be controversial is not a reason to limit provision of an item (p.50).  Beyond that, both ALIA and the Australian Public Libraries Alliance are committed to making libraries welcoming and inclusive spaces where people have the freedom to choose what they read (ALIA, 2023). 

In Gender Queer, libraries are repeatedly identified as a safe space where Maia Kobabe felt comfortable exploring eir identity (Kobabe, 2022), as represented by this panel:

(Kobabe, 2022, p.28)

Gender Queer opens with an introduction from non-binary writer N.D. Stevenson that says:

“Seeing yourself in the world, knowing that you’re not alone, that you could actually have a future as yourself – it’s lifesaving. My parents worked hard to make sure I couldn’t find those positive portrayals. But that censorship didn’t make me not queer.”  

(N.D. Stevenson, cited in Kobabe, 2022, p. 4).

By reading this book, I learned what the content was that some people find objectional and judged it to be age appropriate and gained a better understanding of the complexities of gender identity. I am now more familiar with another title in my library’s Pride Collection and can better discuss it with customers. The messaging in this book that libraries are safe and valued spaces has reinforced my love for my library and the marginalised people it serves and further inspired me to keep supporting everyone in my community.

Additionally, I will share the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2024 on my library’s Facebook page during Australian Library and Information Week from 28 July to 3 August.   

References

American Library Association [ALA]. (2024). Censorship by the numbers and top 10 infographic. https://web.archive.org/web/20250323024254/https://www.ala.org/sites/default/files/2024-04/OIF-CensorshipByTheNumbers-2024.pdf

American Library Association [ALA]. (2025a). Censorship by the numbers and top 10 infographic. https://www.ala.org/sites/default/files/2025-04/250318-oif-censorshipbythenumbers-2025-print-.pdf

American Library Association [ALA]. (2025b). Top ten most challenged books of 2024. https://www.ala.org/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10

Australian Library and Information Association [ALIA]. (2021). APLA-ALIA standards and guidelines for Australian public libraries, May 2021. https://read.alia.org.au/apla-alia-standards-and-guidelines-australian-public-libraries-may-2021

Australian Library and Information Association [ALIA]. (2023). Joint statement from the Australian Library and Information Association and the Australian Public Library Alliance in Support of free access to information in Australian libraries. https://alia.org.au/Web/Web/News/Articles/2023/4-April-/ALIA_APLA_Statement_Access_Information.aspx

Kobabe, M. (2022). Gender Queer: Deluxe Edition. Oni Press.

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Book Review: Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

Gender Queer is a graphic novel memoir by Maia Kobabe about eir own experience as a nonbinary person.

(Goodreads, 2025)

It uses a casual confessional style to explore the feelings e experienced when considering gender from early childhood to the present and how those feelings changed as they became more comfortable with eir experiences. It explores the reactions of eir friends and family to eir changing gender identity and eir discomfort with their own body and sexual experiences.

The exploration of sexual experiences is one of the things censors object to in this book, but the recounting of body exploration, masturbation, and sexual fantasy is age appropriate for older teens and presented with kindness and curiosity. 

Young people can identify with and understand the anxiety and doubt and confusion represented in the book and the raw honesty will be trusted and validate their own experiences. I particularly liked how many times it mentions that libraries and fandoms are safe and supportive spaces for queer people and emphasised the importance of positive representation of role models when coming to understand yourself. It’s a valuable resource for anyone with questions about their own gender or wanting to better understand someone they love.

References

Kobabe, M. (2022). Gender Queer: Deluxe Edition. Oni Press.

Goodreads. (2025). https://www.goodreads.com/

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Indigenous Young Adult Novels: An Introduction

When I decided to read a journal article on diversity in young adult literature for a university assessment, I decided to find one about my own cultures because I would better understand the themes and representation contained in the literature. I am Native American, and my father was Taíno and Choctaw Freedmen and my mother's family had Métis ancestry.

(Foggin, 1984)

I chose Indigenous Young Adult Novels: An Introduction by Anderson, Calcaterra, and Pexa (2022) for a broad overview of Indigenous representation in young adult literature.

The article notes that storytelling featuring identity, community responsibility, and resistance is a strong tradition in Indigenous cultures that translates well to the themes in young adult literature (p.265) and notes recent novels include themes of reclaiming traditions that have been lost or discouraged through centuries of colonialism and destruction of families (p. 266, 269). 

The authors also believe that Indigenous stories are written primarily for Indigenous readers and can empower youth.  These stories often reference the historical trauma and poverty that Indigenous families have experienced and offer ways to process it and encourage young people to connect to their culture, broader trans-Indigenous culture, and overcome (p.267).  

While more Indigenous stories are being published, there is little scholarly research focused on it and this article was written to introduce an issue dedicated to Indigenous young adult literature studies. This article focused on recent publications discussed further in the issue but could have included more older books that contributed to the field.

When reflecting on the need for diverse voices in literature, I immediately think of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (2007). I was in my mid-twenties when I read this book, but it was the first time I had seen my complex Indigenous family, the cyclical and ongoing trauma in my community, and the experience of being too Indian for white society and too white for Indian society represented in a story. I read this book two times in a row.  

(Goodreads, 2025)

A study of young adult literature in Australia (Booth & Narayan, 2018) found that promoting diverse voices in storytelling can lead to acceptance, empathy, and equality, (p.196) as the stories can be seen as mirrors to help young people recognise and accept their own cultures and as windows to help others appreciate and accept cultures different from their own (p.198).

This article introduced me to the American Indians in Children’s Literature blog which is a useful resource for own voices reviews of Native American books. A similar resource for Aboriginal Australian books would be useful in my professional practice, but I could not locate anything similar.

After reading this article I’ve added the following recommended reads to my to-read list:

(Goodreads, 2025)

The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich

How I Became a Ghost by Tim Tingle

Anompolichi the Wordmaster by Phillip Carroll Morgan

References

Alexie, S. (2007). The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Little, Brown & Company.

Anderson, E. G., Calcaterra, A., & Pexa, C. (2022). Indigenous young adult novels: An introduction. Studies in the Novel, 54(3), 265–273. https://primo.csu.edu.au/permalink/61CSU_INST/15aovd3/cdi_crossref_primary_10_1353_sdn_2022_0022

Booth, E., & Narayan, B. (2018). Towards diversity in young adult fiction: Australian YA authors’ publishing experiences and its implications for YA librarians and readers’ advisory services. Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association, 67(3), 195–211. https://primo.csu.edu.au/permalink/61CSU_INST/15aovd3/cdi_proquest_journals_2574296358

Foggin, V. (1984). [Reed Family, Clackamas County, Oregon]. Personal photo.

Goodreads. (2025). https://www.goodreads.com/

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Young Adult Library Services Association Awards 2025

The American Library Association’s [ALA] Young Adult Library Services Association [YALSA] aims to improve library services for youth by establishing best practices through research, publishing, advocacy, training, and support for teen programs (ALA, 2025a). They also issue six literary awards each year to recognise the best in teen literature (ALA, 2025b).

Young Adult Library Services Association Awards (ALA, 2025b)

Alex Award - Adult books that appeal to teens.

Edwards Award - Lasting contribution to teen literature.

Morris Award - Best new teen author that year.

Nonfiction Award - Best nonfiction book for teens that year.

Odyssey Award - Best audiobook produced for teens that year.

Printz Award - Best book written for teens that year.

These awards have highlighted and encouraged quality works for young people (Latham & Gross, 2014, p. 15) and the nominees have been used to develop lists library staff can use to develop collections and encourage and provide readers’ advisory (ALA, 2025b).

I explored this resource by looking at the 2025 lists for all six awards. I found I wanted to know more about the books that were nominated. The lists include the cover of the book, but no summary or reasoning why books were considered for award. I noted books I felt would resonate with readers at my library as I browsed. The site is organised separately by award and year which can make it difficult to navigate and search.

YALSA has launched a Teen Book Finder Database to make their shortlists, winners, and recommended reads more searchable and accessible (ALA, 2025b). Unfortunately, each time I attempted to explore this database it returned a server error. I was able to use the Internet Archive (2025) Wayback Machine and view a capture taken on 13 May 2025 and the Teen Book Finder App. The app is currently working but appears to not list any nominees after 2019.  The database and app are more navigable than the website and allow for users to browse by the award year, award, and genre. Clicking on titles provides a summary of the title, list of genres, and any curated booklists the title is on. 

(Internet Archive, 2025)

If functional, this could be a useful resource for my professional practice. Regularly reviewing book award shortlists to ensure your collection contains the best of the best and to gain familiarity with titles for readers’ advisory is recommended for connecting to library users (Latham & Gross 2014, p. 120). Additionally, Scales (2016, p. 12) notes that inclusion in award lists can referenced to justify a challenged book’s inclusion in the library’s collection and when defending books against censorship so access to these lists can assist with responses to any challenges. 

The current award nominees include titles I am not familiar with. Some of the curated lists align with things I have been asked for and I believe some of the shortlisted titles would interest my library users.  While my role is in adult programming, the demographics I serve include new adults ages 18-30 who often read young adult works and I recommend purchases for our Pride, Young Adult, and Graphic Novel collections. 

This resource helped me discover the following books I am particularly enthusiastic about purchasing for my library users: 

(Goodreads, 2025)

Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson

A Greater Goal by Elizabeth Rusch

Homebody by Theo Parish

Shut Up this is Serious by Carolina Ixta

Woman Life Freedom by Mariane Satrapi

References

American Library Association. [ALA]. (2025a). About YALSA. https://www.ala.org/yalsa/aboutyalsa

American Library Association [ALA], (2025b). YALSA Book Awards & booklists. https://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklistsawards/booklistsbook

Latham, D., & Gross, M. (2014). Young adult resources today: connecting teens with books, music, games, movies, and more. Rowman & Littlefield. https://primo.csu.edu.au/permalink/61CSU_INST/1hkg98a/alma991001612950402357

Goodreads. (2025). https://www.goodreads.com/

Internet Archive. (2025). Wayback Machine: YALSA Booklists https://web.archive.org/web/20250513095526/http://booklists.yalsa.net/   Scales, P. R. (2016). Defending frequently challenged young adult books: A handbook for librarians and educators. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Incorporated. https://primo.csu.edu.au/permalink/61CSU_INST/1hkg98a/alma991013657631602357

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I read a lot - but less now that I am studying.

If you want to see what I'm reading check out my Goodreads.

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Books Unbanned

A few years ago, Brooklyn Public Library’s (2025) innovative Books Unbanned program was all over my socials. The program provides free access to Brooklyn’s digital library for young people aged 13-21 and aims to combat book censorship and content deserts in America. I shared the opportunity on my socials but didn’t investigate it further as it wasn’t available to me or my library users in Australia. However, when asked to reflect on a digital library resource, Books Unbanned came to mind, especially given the increasing efforts to defund American libraries and challenge their collections. Lo (2025) reports that the proposed elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services [IMLIS] in the United States will eradicate the main source of funding for libraries in the U.S. and will lead to library infrastructure collapsing in regional and lower socioeconomic areas. The American Library Association believes the elimination of this service is politically motivated and related to a broader wave of censorship and book bans.

My investigations of this subject led me to the journal article Books Unbanned: Expanding Access to Content via Library Ebooks by Amy Mikel and Michael Blackwell (2023).

It discusses censorship,  which is highlighted in my other professional reading including the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions [IFLA] 2024 Trends in Libraries Report (2025). This notes censorship is a key change in knowledge practices. In my own work, censorship and challenges are regular concerns as my library houses our Pride Collection and related programs.

(Foggin, 2024)

Books Unbanned aims to provide access to young people in restrictive areas, and I am not surprised over 8,000 young people have taken advantage of it. This aligns with my own experience. Our library’s well-curated and funded Pride Collection attracts young adult borrowers from across Sydney and our digital collection is widely used outside our local government area [LGA]. This made me wonder if our library is an oasis for those in content deserts.

I reviewed the American Library Association’s [ALA] ten most challenged books of 2023, (ALA, 2024b) and I was pleased to find my library holds all ten.

(ALA, 2024a)

I compared our collection to Cumberland Council’s, which faced significant book bans and collection challenges last year (ALIA, 2024). Sadly, they only held two of these titles, both as e-books.

An important takeaway is that censorship sometimes comes from within the library. Librarians can act as gatekeepers through strict access policies, selective weeding, shelving, displays, or purchasing choices. Our library recently removed barriers like proof of address requirements and now offers digital and visitor memberships. However, the article’s suggestions for self-reflection on ebook collections show areas for improvement.

For example, our patron-driven acquisition process is not intuitive, and most requests come from older Anglo borrowers. Pattee (2012, p.15) notes that libraries creating collections for teens need to rethink how they build collections and connect to their target audience. Targeted marketing could help young people and diverse community members add what they want to read to our physical and digital collections. Additionally, marketing our e-resources specifically to young people could increase use (p. 17).

I assumed my library had the most challenged titles in all formats, but we do not have some as ebooks or eaudio. I also did not realise that the books listed on the ALA’s most challenged books list (ALA, 2024a)  are primarily young adult titles. I have recommended purchasing all formats of these books for our digital library and promoting them to our young adult readers.

Books Unbanned has expanded to Boston, San Diego, Seattle, and Los Angeles (Enis, 2024). I’m unsure if anything similar exists in Australia, which makes that an area for further exploration and development.

References:

American Library Association [ALA]. 2024a. Censorship by the numbers and top 10 infographic. https://web.archive.org/web/20250323024254/https://www.ala.org/sites/default/files/2024-04/OIF-CensorshipByTheNumbers-2024.pdf

American Library Association [ALA]. 2024b. State of America’s libraries report. https://www.ala.org/news/state-americas-libraries-report-2024

Australian Library and Information Association [ALIA]. 2024. Update on our response to the Cumberland Council book ban. https://alia.org.au/Web/Web/News/Articles/2024/May-2024/Update_ALIA_Cumberland.aspx

Brooklyn Public Library [BPL]. (2025). Books Unbanned. https://www.bklynlibrary.org/books-unbanned

Enis, M. (2024, September 23). Books Unbanned still growing strong more than two years after launch. Library Journal https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/books-unbanned-still-growing-strong-more-than-two-years-after-launch

Foggin, V. (2024) [Photograph of Vickey Foggin and Erina Bennett at a Georges River Libraries information booth at AFL Pride Cup]. Georges River Libraries Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=809576047942483&set=pb.100066702842212.-2207520000&type=3

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions [IFLA]. (2025). IFLA Trend Report 2024: Facing the future of information with confidence. https://repository.ifla.org/items/ae4dfcc0-8def-4318-8c4c-7f0507d15609

Lo, L. (2025, March 21). Trump’s attack on libraries was predictable. Its consequences could be devastating. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/21/trump-attack-libraries-devastating

Mikel, A., & Blackwell, M. (2023). Books Unbanned: Expanding access to content via library ebooks. Computers in libraries, 43(4). 22-27. https://primo.csu.edu.au/permalink/61CSU_INST/15aovd3/cdi_gale_infotracmisc_A748683312

Pattee, A. (2014). Rethinking library collections for young adults. Young Adult Library Services, 12(3), https://primo.csu.edu.au/permalink/61CSU_INST/15aovd3/cdi_proquest_reports_1534316273

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Profile picture is Abbeville Cat Reading a Book, 15th Century from William Morris Tile, LLC: https://williammorristile.com/medieval/medieval_cats.html

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Cover picture is by Professor of Medieval History at the University of Sarajevo Emir Filipovic: https://x.com/EmirOFilipovic/status/251337591130038274