Top Banned Books of the Year
Curious about what made it onto the top banned books this year?
Keep on reading!
Because Banned Books Week is one that should be on everyone’s calendar.
Why should we care about banned books?
Because often the stories that folks are trying to ban are often the exact ones we need to educate our children and expand their horizons to better understand, appreciate and approach the world around them. This post contains affiliate links.
For more reading ideas, visit our extensive list of childrens books for kids!
Every year I’m surprised at just what books made it on to the top banned books of the year.
Year after year, To Kill a Mockingbird makes it on to the list.
What the times come for my boys to be old enough to read this book, I’m not only going to be okay with it, I’m going to encourage it.
Other books that have made it onto my children’s books list also include Drama (a graphic novel perfect for middle school) as well as And Tango Makes Three to help kids understand that families come in all forms.
Top Banned Books of the Year
The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 354 challenges to library, school and university materials in 2017.
Of the 416 books challenged or banned in 2017, the Top 10 Most Challenged Books are:
Originally published in 2007, this New York Times bestseller has resurfaced as a controversial book after Netflix aired a TV series by the same name. This YA novel was challenged and banned in multiple school districts because it discusses suicide.
Consistently challenged since its publication in 2007 for acknowledging issues such as poverty, alcoholism, and sexuality, this National Book Award winner was challenged in school curriculums because of profanity and situations that were deemed sexually explicit.
This Stonewall Honor Award-winning, 2012 graphic novel from an acclaimed cartoonist was challenged and banned in school libraries because it includes LGBT characters and was considered “confusing.”
This critically acclaimed, multigenerational novel was challenged and banned because it includes sexual violence and was thought to “lead to terrorism” and “promote Islam.”
Written for elementary-age children, this Lambda Literary Award winner was challenged and banned because it includes a transgender child.
This 2015 informational children’s book written by a certified sex educator was challenged because it addresses sex education and is believed to lead children to “want to have sex or ask questions about sex.”
This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, considered an American classic, was challenged and banned because of violence and its use of the N-word.
Despite winning multiple awards and being the most searched-for book on Goodreads during its debut year, this YA novel was challenged and banned in school libraries and curriculums because it was considered “pervasively vulgar” and because of drug use, profanity, and offensive language.
Returning after a brief hiatus from the Top Ten Most Challenged list, this ALA Notable Children’s Book, published in 2005, was challenged and labeled because it features a same-sex relationship.
This autobiographical picture book co-written by the 13-year-old protagonist was challenged because it addresses gender identity.
