Top Banned Books of 2020
Wondering what the top banned books were of the past year?
Some of these really surprised me.
Last year I read The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian out loud to my teenage and tween sons. It created a lot of amazing discussions!
Don’t miss these other terrific books for teens!
You can find these top banned books of 2020 at your local library or purchase through the affiliate links provided for your convenience.
Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2020
The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 156 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2020.
Of the 273 books that were targeted, here are the most challenged, along with the reasons cited for censoring the books:
TOP 10 MOST CHALLENGED BOOKS OF 2020
Challenged, banned, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content, conflicting with a religious viewpoint, and not reflecting “the values of our community.”
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.
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.”
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.
Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and allegations of sexual misconduct by the author.
Challenged for “divisive language” and because it was thought to promote anti-police views.
Banned and challenged for racial slurs and their negative effect on students, featuring a “white savior” character, and its perception of the Black experience.
Banned and challenged for racial slurs and racist stereotypes, and their negative effect on students.
Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and depicts child sexual abuse.
Challenged for profanity, and it was thought to promote an anti-police message.
Video of top Banned Books
