Embedded Files
Banned books poster (1).pdfBanned Books Week at RFK Library
Banned Books Week at RFK Library
Banned Books Week is a national event that celebrates the freedom to read and highlights the harms of censorship. Each year, libraries, schools, and bookstores across the country shine a spotlight on books that have been challenged or banned—and the conversations they inspire.
This year’s theme is:
“Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.”
Why It Matters
Why It Matters
At RFK Library, we believe every student should have the freedom to explore ideas, challenge perspectives, and discover voices that reflect their lives and communities. Removing books silences stories and limits learning.
The American Library Association (ALA) reports that in 2024 there were:
821 attempts to censor library materials and services.
2,452 unique titles targeted for restriction.
Most challenges came from organized groups or government bodies, not just individuals.
Where Are Bans Happening?
Where Are Bans Happening?
Book bans are happening nationwide, but they are most concentrated in certain states. Reports show high levels of restrictions in:
Florida
Iowa
Texas
Missouri
Utah
South Carolina
Some states, like Utah, have enacted statewide bans affecting all schools.
How You Can Get Involved
Visit our Banned Books Display in the RFK Library.
Check out banned titles on Sora/OverDrive—we’ve added links so you can explore from anywhere.
Join our Banned Books Week events: teachers and staff will be reading short excerpts aloud during lunch.
Think critically: Ask yourself why some people might want to silence certain stories, and what that means for freedom of expression.
Top 10 Most Challenged Books (ALA, 2024)
All Boys Aren’t Blue — George M. Johnson
Gender Queer: A Memoir — Maia Kobabe (in Queens Library not the RFK library)
The Bluest Eye — Toni Morrison
The Perks of Being a Wallflower — Stephen Chbosky
Tricks — Ellen Hopkins - (in Queens Library not the RFK library)
Looking for Alaska — John Green
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl — Jesse Andrews
Crank — Ellen Hopkins
Sold — Patricia McCormick
Flamer — Mike Curato
These books have been challenged for themes including LGBTQ+ representation, race, sexual content, and frank discussions of difficult issues.
Top 10 Most Challenged Books (ALA, 2024)
Top 10 Most Challenged Books (ALA, 2024)
All Boys Aren’t Blue — George M. Johnson
A powerful memoir about growing up Black and queer, exploring identity, family, and resilience.
The Bluest Eye — Toni Morrison
A classic novel about a young Black girl who longs for blue eyes, confronting racism, beauty standards, and trauma.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower — Stephen Chbosky
A coming-of-age story about Charlie, a shy high schooler navigating friendship, love, and mental health.
Tricks — Ellen Hopkins
Told in verse, this novel follows five teens whose lives spiral into difficult choices around love, survival, and exploitation.
Looking for Alaska — John Green
A novel about friendship, grief, and first love as Miles attends boarding school and meets the unforgettable Alaska Young.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl — Jesse Andrews
A darkly funny story of two awkward teens who befriend a classmate with cancer, blending humor and heart.
Crank — Ellen Hopkins
Inspired by real events, this verse novel explores addiction through the eyes of a teenager drawn into the world of meth.
Sold — Patricia McCormick
A moving novel in verse about a young girl from Nepal who is trafficked into slavery, fighting to reclaim her freedom.
Flamer — Mike Curato
A graphic novel about a Filipino-American boy at summer camp, wrestling with bullying, identity, and finding the courage to be himself.
Gender Queer: A Memoir — Maia Kobabe
A graphic novel memoir that shares the author’s journey of gender identity and self-discovery.
📚 Other Frequently Challenged Books & Where They’ve Been Banned
📚 Other Frequently Challenged Books & Where They’ve Been Banned
Alongside this year’s Top 10, many popular and classic titles have been removed or restricted in schools and libraries across the U.S.:
📌 Note: Many bans are local decisions made by individual districts or school boards. ALA tracks these to highlight how censorship affects communities across the country.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie — Banned in Stockton, Missouri and Mattawa, Washington; challenged in Idaho, Oregon, and Illinois.
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut — Removed from schools in Driggs, Idaho (1973), Island Trees, New York (1976), and most recently Wilson County, Tennessee (2024); also restricted in Florida districts.
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson — Challenged in Lincoln, Nebraska and Fairfax County, Virginia for themes of death and “occult” imagination.
Harry Potter (series) by J.K. Rowling — Banned in schools in South Carolina (1999) and Texas, and restricted in Nashville, Tennessee (2019) over witchcraft themes.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee — Pulled from required reading in Biloxi, Mississippi (2017); also challenged in Virginia and Minnesota.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker — Banned in Wicomico County, Maryland and Buncombe County, North Carolina; challenged in Iowa under new state law
Forever by Judy Blume — Removed from Breathitt County, Kentucky schools in the 1980s; challenged in Texas and Indiana.
*Note located in Queens Library to check out*
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz — Banned in Lake County, Florida and School District 197, Minnesota for frightening content.
Banned & Challenged Author Addresses & Twitter Handles.xlsx - Addresses 10_07_2023_0.pdfBanned & Challenged Author Addresses & Social Media
Banned & Challenged Author Addresses & Social Media
Social Media Tips
When tweeting to a banned or challenged author, or posting about it online, consider:
Including the hashtag #DearBannedAuthor. This allows the American Library Association to find and share your stories.
Discussing how the book impacted your life, made you feel, or your favorite quotes
Posting a photo of you reading the book or of your postcard
Blurring or covering up your own address or private information before sharing pictures of postcard
Dear Banned Author ✉️
Dear Banned Author ✉️
What It’s About
What It’s About
Dear Banned Author is a national campaign that takes place during Banned Books Week. Students, teachers, and readers across the country write short notes to authors whose books have been banned or challenged.
It’s a way to:
Thank authors for writing books that matter
Show support for the freedom to read
Speak out against censorship
How You Can Join In
How You Can Join In
Write a Postcard or Note: Share how a book inspired you, made you think, or helped you see the world differently.
Send an E-Card: Quick and easy — perfect for digital sharing.
Post on Social Media: Use the hashtag #DearBannedAuthor and tag your favorite writers.
Why It Matters
Why It Matters
Books can open doors, start conversations, and connect us to experiences different from our own. When those books are challenged or removed, important voices are silenced. Your words can make a difference by reminding authors that their work matters to readers like you.
Learn More
Learn More
Find postcards, e-cards, and more ideas here:
👉 ALA: Dear Banned Author
📌 Source: American Library Association, “Dear Banned Author.” Retrieved September 18, 2025, from https://www.ala.org/bbooks/dear-banned-author
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