Use the arrows to scroll through some of the top 10 most banned books over the past 10 years according to the American Library Association's Lists.
You can see why they were banned or challenged and where to find them at Willet Library.
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
by Jason Reynolds
with an introduction by Ibram X. Kendi
E184.A1 R49 2020
Reasons: Banned and challenged because of author’s public statements, and because of claims that the book contains “selective storytelling incidents” and does not encompass racism against all people
Sex Is a Funny Word: A Book about Bodies, Feelings, and YOU
by Cory Silverberg, illustrated by Fiona Smyth
Juv. HQ53 .S55 2015
Currently in the New Books section
Reasons: challenged, banned, and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content; for discussing gender identity and sex education; and for concerns that the title and illustrations were “inappropriate”
This Book is Gay
By Juno Dawson, Illustrated by Spike Gerrell, With an Introduction by David Levithan
Juv. HQ76.26 .D39 2021
Currently in the New Books Section
Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, providing sexual education, claimed to be sexually explicit
All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto
by George M. Johnson
Juv. HQ76.27.A37 J644 2020
Currently in the New Books section
Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, profanity, and because it was considered to be sexually explicit
Gender Queer: a Memoir
by Maia Kobabe
Juv. HQ76.27.Y68 K63 2019
Currently in New Books section
Reasons: Banned, challenged, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content, and because it was considered to have sexually explicit images
I am Jazz
by Jessica Herthel & Jazz Jennings
illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas
Juv. HQ77.7 .H467 2014
Reasons: challenged and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content, for a transgender character, and for confronting a topic that is “sensitive, controversial, and politically charged”
Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out
by Susan Kuklin
Juv. HQ77.9 .K85 2014
Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to be sexually explicit.
Nasreen's Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan
by Jeanette Winter
Juv. LC2410.A3 W56 2009
Reasons: religious viewpoint, unsuited to age group, and violence
Fun Home
by Alison Bechdel
PN6727.B3757 Z46 2006
Reasons: violence and other (“graphic images”)
Flamer
by Mike Curato
Juv. PN6727.C86 F53 2020
Currently in New Books Section
Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
Habibi
by Craig Thompson
PN6727.T48 H33 2011
Reasons: nudity, sexually explicit, and unsuited for age group
Saga Compendium One
by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples
Juv. PN6727.V387 S242 2019
Currently in the New Books section
Reasons: anti-Family, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited for age group
The Complete Persepolis
by Marjane Satrapi
PN6747.S245 P4713 2007
Reasons: gambling, offensive language, political viewpoint. Additional reasons: “politically, racially, and socially offensive,” “graphic depictions”
The Handmaid's Tale
by Margaret Atwood
PR9199.3.A8 H3 2006
Reasons: banned and challenged for profanity and for “vulgarity and sexual overtones”
Of Mice and Men
by John Steinbeck
PS3537.T3234 O2 1993
Currently in the New Books section
Reasons: Banned and challenged for racial slurs and racist stereotypes, and their negative effect on students
Perks of Being a Wallflower
by Stephen Chbosky
PS3553.H3469 P47 2012
Reasons: drugs/alcohol/smoking, homosexuality, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
Out of Darkness
by Ashley Hope Pérez
Juv. PS3616.E7432 O98 2015
Currently in the New Books section
Reasons: Banned, challenged, and restricted for depictions of abuse and because it was considered to be sexually explicit
To Kill a Mockingbird
by Harper Lee
PS3562.E353 T6 1993
Reasons: Banned and challenged for racial slurs and their negative effect on students, featuring a “white savior” character, and its perception of the Black experience
The Bluest Eye
by Toni Morrison
PS3563.O8749 B55 2000
Reasons: Banned and challenged because it depicts child sexual abuse and was considered sexually explicit
Lawn Boy
by Jonathan Evison
Juv. PS3605.V57 L39 2018b
Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to be sexually explicit
Melissa's Story (George)
by Alex Gino
Juv. PS3607.I4583 G46 2015
Ebook also available
Reasons: Challenged, banned, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content, conflicting with a religious viewpoint, and not reflecting “the values of our community”
Prince and Knight
by Daniel Haack; illustrated by Steview Lewis
Juv. PS3608.A224 P74 2018
Currently in the New Books section
Reasons: challenged and restricted for featuring a gay marriage and LGBTQIA+ content; for being “a deliberate attempt to indoctrinate young children” with the potential to cause confusion, curiosity, and gender dysphoria; and for conflicting with a religious viewpoint
The Kite Runner
by Khaled Hosseini
PS3608.O832 K58 2013
This critically acclaimed, multigenerational novel was challenged and banned because it includes sexual violence and was thought to “lead to terrorism” and “promote Islam.”
All American Boys
by Jason Reynolds & Brendan Kiely
Juv. PS3618.E9753 A645 2015
(Currently in the New Books section)
Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, drug use, and alcoholism, and because it was thought to promote anti-police views, contain divisive topics, and be “too much of a sensitive matter right now”
The Hate U Give
by Angie Thomas
Juv. PS3620.H62463 H38 2017
Also available as DVD
Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, violence, and because it was thought to promote an anti-police message and indoctrination of a social agenda
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
by Sherman Alexie
Juv. PZ7.A382 Ab 2007
Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references and use of a derogatory term
Speak
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Juv. PZ7.A54385 Sp 2019
Reasons: Banned, challenged, and restricted because it was thought to contain a political viewpoint and it was claimed to be biased against male students, and for the novel’s inclusion of rape and profanity
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
by Jesse Andrews
Juv. PZ7.A56726 Me 2012
Currently in the New Books section
Reasons: Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and degrading to women
Looking for Alaska
by John Green
Juv. PZ7.G8233 Lo 2005
Reasons: challenged for a sexually explicit scene that may lead a student to “sexual experimentation”
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
by Mark Haddon
Juv. PZ7.H1165 Cu 2003
Reasons: offensive language, religious viewpoint, unsuited for age group, and other (“profanity and atheism”)
Two Boys Kissing
by David Levithan
Juv. PZ7.L5798 Two 2013
Reason: challenged and burned for including LGBTQIA+ content
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
by J. K. Rowling
Juv. PZ7.R79835 Har 1999
Entire series available as DVD, books in English and Spanish
Reasons: banned and forbidden from discussion for referring to magic and witchcraft, for containing actual curses and spells, and for characters that use “nefarious means” to attain goals
Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story about Racial Injustice
by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins & Ann Hazzard, with illustrations by Jennifer Zivoin
Juv. PZ7.1.C4647 Som 2018
(Currently in the New Books section)
Reasons: Challenged for “divisive language” and because it was thought to promote anti-police views
This One Summer
by Mariko Tamaki; illustrated by Jillian Tamaki
Juv. PZ7.7.T355 Th 2014
Reasons: banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and certain illustrations
Drama
by Raina Telgemeier
Juv. PZ7.7.T45 Dr 2012
Reasons: challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and for concerns that it goes against “family values/morals”
And Tango Makes Three
by Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell
illustrated by Henry Cole
Juv. PZ10.3.R414 An 2005
Reason: challenged and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content
Crank
Juv. PS3608.O647 C73 2010
Currently in the New Books Section
Reasons: drug use, claimed to be sexually explicit