#since most of this year's bans were focused on “sexually explicit” and queer literature

[wearelibrarian]

Top "10" Most Challenged Books of 2022

This week (October 1-7, 2023) is Banned Books Week, at least in the United States. During this week, the American Library Association (ALA) shares statistics about books banned and challenged during the previous year, along with raising awareness about why those books were so objectionable. Libraries across the United States report book challenges to the ALA, and that data is compiled every year.

Last year's Top 10 (actually 13 due to some ties) most banned/challenged books are as follows:

1. Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe. 151 challenges. Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit.

2. All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson. 86 challenges. Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit.

3. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. 73 challenges. Challenged for: depiction of sexual abuse, EDI content, claimed to be sexually explicit.

4. Flamer by Mike Curato. 62 challenges. Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit.

5. (tie) Looking for Alaska by John Green. 55 challenges. Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit.

5. (tie) The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Steven Chbosky. 55 challenges. Challenged for: depiction of sexual abuse, LGBTQIA+ content, drug use, profanity, claimed to be sexually explicit.

7. Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evinson. 54 challenges. Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit.

8. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. 52 challenges. Challenged for: profanity, claimed to be sexually explicit.

9. Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez. 50 challenges. Challenged for: depictions of abuse, claimed to be sexually explicit.

10. (tie) A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas. 48 challenges. Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit.

10. (tie) Crank by Ellen Hopkins. 48 challenges. Challenged for: drug use, claimed to be sexually explicit.

10. (tie) Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. 48 challenges. Challenged for: profanity, claimed to be sexually explicit.

10. (tie) This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson. 48 challenges. Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, providing sexual education, claimed to be sexually explicit.

Further information: https://bannedbooksweek.org/ and https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks