LibGuides: Banned and Challenged Books: Frequently Challenged Books

Most Challenged Books by Year

Each year, the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom compiles and releases data about attempted book bans. In 2023, 4,240 unique titles were challenged, a 65% increase over the previous year. That number continues to rise in 2024. Recent book challenges have overwhelmingly targeted books written by or about people of color and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Read more about the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023 and check out the archive of Top 10 Lists dating back to 2001.

These Books Have Been Challenged Elsewhere - Check Them Out at Metro State

Gender Queer: a Memoir by Maia Kobabe
Banned, challenged, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content, and because it was claimed to have sexually explicit images
All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson
Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, profanity, and because it was claimed to be sexually explicit
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Banned and challenged for depiction of sexual abuse, offensive language, and because it was claimed to be sexually explicit
Flamer by Mike Curato
ISBN: 9781627796415
Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and claimed to be sexually explicit
Looking for Alaska by John Green
Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, offensive language, drugs/alcohol/smoking and a sexually explicit scene that may lead a student to “sexual experimentation”
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Challenged for depiction of sexual abuse, LGBTQIA+ content, drugs/alcohol/smoking, profanity, claimed to be sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group
Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison
Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (National Book Award Winner) by Sherman Alexie
Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, gambling, underage drinking, and for its religious viewpoint
Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Pérez
Banned, challenged, and restricted for depictions of abuse and because it was claimed to be sexually explicit
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit
Crank by Ellen Hopkins
Challenged for drug use, offensive language claimed to be sexually explicit
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
Banned and challenged for profanity and claimed to be sexually explicit