Censorship in 2023

ALA's Top 13 Most Challenged Books of 2022

The American Library Association tracked 1,269 demands to censor books and resources in 2022. This is the highest attempt to ban books in over 20 years, and is almost twice as much as last year (729 attempts in 2021). 

1. Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe.

151 Challenges

Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit.

2. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson.

86 Challenges

Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit.    

3. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison.

73 Challenges

Challenged for: depiction of sexual abuse, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) content, claimed to be sexually explicit.   

4. Flamer by Mike Curato

62 Challenges

Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit.  

5. (tie) Looking for Alaska by John Green

55 Challenges

Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit.  

5. (tie) The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

55 Challenges

Challenged for: depiction of sexual abuse, LGBTQIA+ content, drug use, profanity, claimed to be sexually explicit.

7. Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison.

54 Challenges

Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to be sexually explicit.    

8. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.

52 Challenges

Challenged for: profanity, claimed to be sexually explicit.

9. Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez.

50 Challenges

Challenged for: depictions of abuse, claimed to be sexually explicit.

10. (tie) Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews.

48 Challenges

Reasons: Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and degrading to women.    

10. (tie) This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson.

48 Challenges

Challenged for: providing sexual education, LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit.