Banned Books

A memoir by Maia Kobabe about the journey of self-discovery as a non-binary person using e/em/eirs pronouns. Kobabe addresses  the struggle of being a teenager along side figuring out who you are with gender and sexuality. This was the most challenged book of the year, with some describing the discussion of gender fluidity as "pornographic".

Written by Johnathan Evison, this is a book about a hardworking Chicano lawn worker fighting against classism and racism while coming to terms with his sexual identity. The book was challenged for it's LGBTQ content and for being "sexually explicit," in reference to a scene between two men. 

A memoir-manifesto written by George M. Johnson, this book is about all of the best and worst moments of their life as a black and queer person. The book was challenged due to it's LGBTQ content, profanity, and "sexually explicit" material. 

This historical fiction book written by Ashley Hope Pérez is about the teenage love story between Naomi, a Mexican American girl, and Walsh, a black boy, divided by classism and racism until tragedy strikes. This book was widely challenged for it's depiction of abuse and for being "sexually explicit".

Written by Angie Thomas, this book follows Starr on her journey to activism after witnessing a fatal incident of police brutality against her friend. Most people have heard of this book, have read it, or have watched the movie, but it is still challenged for profanity, violence, and an "anti-police" agenda.

A Young Adult novel written by Sherman Angie, this is a book about a teen named Junior's experiences growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation as a traitor, but being unable to fit in to the white school he attends. This book has been challenged for profanity, sexual references, and use of a derogatory term.

Written by Jesse Andrews, this book follows the journey of Greg and his best friend Earl as they make a movie about the deteriorating health of their classmate Rachel, who has leukemia. Parents challenged the book for being "pornographic" and degrading to women.

First novel from Toni Morrison, this book is the story of Pecola, an abused Black girl who suffers through oppression and cruelty, wishing to have blue eyes so that she can escape her misery. It has been consistently challenged an excluded from academic curriculum for "sexually explicit material" and "offensive language".

Written by Juno Dawson, this book is an "instruction manual" for growing up as part of the LGBTQ community, covering a variety of topics as a resource for queer youth. This book has been challenged for being "sexually explicit" as a type of sexual education.

Written and Photographed by Susan Kuklin, this book tells the stories and struggles of six transgender teenagers. This book was challenged for LGBTQ content and for being "sexually explicit."

Written by Alex Gino, this book is the story of a trans-gender fourth grader's fight to be seen as who she really in her struggles against bullying, stereotyping, and discrimination. This book was challenged for it's  LGBTQ+ content, for conflicting with a religious viewpoint (which is a claim that values one religion over others), and for not reflecting "the values of our community".

Written and Photographed by Susan Kuklin, this book tells the stories and struggles of six transgender teenagers. This book was challenged for LGBTQ content and for being "sexually explicit."

Written by Jill Twist and illustrated by  EG Keller,  this books is about Mike Pence's family rabbit, Marlon Bundo going on an adventure and finding love. This book is challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, carrying a political viewpoint, and for not including a content warning.

Written by Cory Silverberg and illustrated by Fiona Smyth, this is a comic book meant to help parents teach their kids about bodies, gender, and sexuality. This book was banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, for discussing gender identity and sex education,  and for the title and illustrations being "inappropriate".

Written by Daniel Haack and illustrated by Daniel Lewis, this book is about a Prince traveling to search for a bride, but finding his partner somewhere else. This book was challenged for featuring a gay marriage and LGBTQIA+ content, and for conflicting with a religious view point.

Written by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings and illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas,  this is a tale based on the life of Jazz Jennings and it follows a little girl in her journey of self discovery. This book has been challenged for  LGBTQIA+ content, for having a transgender character, and for containing a topic that is “sensitive, controversial, and politically charged”.

Written by Margaret Atwood, this book follows Offred through a dystopia where she must serve as a nameless handmaid in an oppressive republic. This book is challenged for "vulgarity" and "sexual overtones".

Written by Raina Telgemeier, this book follows Callie as she struggles to hold together her school musical while dealing with middle school drama, boy problems, and set design skills that leave a lot to be desired. This book has been challenged LGBTQIA+ content and for going against "family values".

Written by J.K. Rowling, this series follows a boy wizard and his friends as he traverses a complicating path to protect himself and the people he cares about from an evil wizard's resurgence. This book series has been challenged for referring to magic and witchcraft, containing curses and spells, and for characters that use "nefarious means" to reach their goals.

Written by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson and  illustrated by Henry Cole, this book follows the true story of two penguins, Silo and Roy, who became a couple and sought to create family of their own. This book was challenged for LGBTQIA+ content.