This list is provided courtesy of the American Library Association. Visit their Top Ten Most Challenged Books Lists page to view lists from 2001-forward.
"ALA documented 4,240 unique book titles targeted for censorship in 2023—a 65% surge over 2022 numbers—as well as 1,247 demands to censor library books, materials, and resources. Pressure groups focused on public libraries in addition to targeting school libraries. The number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92% over the previous year, accounting for about 46% of all book challenges in 2023." —The American Library Association, Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023
Note: items owned by the Columbus State Library have a link to their catalog record.
1. Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
Number of challenges: 106
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
2. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
Number of challenges: 82
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
3. This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson
Number of challenges: 71
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, sex education, claimed to be sexually explicit
4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Number of challenges: 68
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content, rape, drugs, profanity
5. Flamer by Mike Curato
Number of challenges: 67
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
6. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Number of challenges: 62
Challenged for: rape, incest, claimed to be sexually explicit, EDI content
7/8 (tie). Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
Number of challenges: 56
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, profanity
7/8 (tie). Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
Number of challenges: 56
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, drugs, rape, LGBTQIA+ content
9. Let's Talk About It: The Teen's Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan
Number of challenges: 55
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, sex education, LGBTQIA+ content
10. Sold by Patricia McCormick
Number of challenges: 53
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, rape
All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto, by George M. Johnson
Banned for LGBTQIA+ content, sexual content, and profanity.
This One Summer, by Mariko and Jillian Tamaki
Banned for inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters, drug use, profanity, sexual content, and mature themes.
Gender Queer: A Memoir, by Maia Kobabe
Banned for LGBTQ+ content.
The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison
Banned for depictions of sexual abuse, graphic content, discussions of gender and racial issues.
The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas
Banned for profanity, violence, and discussions of police brutality towards Black people.
1984, by George Orwell
Banned for social/political themes and sexual content.
The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
Banned for depictions of sexual abuse and LGBTQ+ content.
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic, by Alison Bechdel
Banned for LGBTQ+ content
Check out these lists of frequently-banned classics and most-challenged titles. Some of them may surprise you!
