Instead of our usual reading recommendations, I’ve accessed the American Library Association’s lists of top 10 challenged or banned books for the years 2016-2018. These are the books we as a society are the most concerned about and the reasons they have been challenged. Many are children’s books and several are Pulitzer Prize winning novels. If you are a parent, this is a perfect opportunity to check out some of these titles for children and young adults instead of relying on other people’s opinions.
I’ve indicated the year(s) each book has been on the list, given a brief description of the plot and summarized the reasons each book has been challenged. Even though some of these books haven’t made the ALA top ten list for multiple years, most have appeared on the complete list of challenged or banned books each year since their publication.
The American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 347 challenges to library, school and university materials and services in 2018 concerning 483 books - some of which were banned. For 2017, the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 354 challenges to library, school and university material and services concerning 416 books. In 2016 there were 323 challenges recorded by the Office for Intellectual Freedom.
George by Alex Gino – listed on the ALA’s 10 Most Challenged Books of 2016, 2017 & 2018
George is a children’s book (geared to middle schoolers) about a young transgender girl. The world sees Melissa as a boy named George, but she knows who she really is and she must let her family and friends know she is a girl. For ages 8-12
This book has been banned, challenged, and relocated over concerns that it might encourage children to clear browser history and take hormones to change their bodies. Other objections include mentioning “dirty magazines,” descriptions of the male anatomy, “creating gender confusion,” and including a transgender character in the plot.
A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss, illustrated by EG Keller - listed on the ALA’s 10 Most Challenged Books of 2018
The book is a parody of the book written by Charlotte Pence, the daughter of VP Mike Pence, about their family pet, Marlon Bundo. Mike Pence is well known for his stance against the LBTQIA community. This book recounts the day Marlon falls in love with another boy bunny named Wesley. Twiss’ book has received positive reviews from critics for its positive messages and positive role models. For ages 4 & up
This book has been banned and challenged for including LGBTQIA+ content, and for political and religious viewpoints.
Captain Underpants series written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey - listed on the ALA’s 10 Most Challenged Books of 2018 (It remains one of the 3 top challenged books/series of the decade)
As of early 2019, there are 12 books and 10 spin-offs fin this award winning series about two fourth-graders, George Beard and Harold Hutchins, from Piqua, Ohio, and Captain Underpants, the superhero from one of the boys' homemade comic books. Captain Underpants accidentally becomes real when George and Harold hypnotize their ill-tempered principal, Mr. Krupp. For ages 7-10
This series has been challenged on the grounds that it encourages disruptive behavior and contains toilet humor. Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot was also challenged for including a same-sex couple
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas - listed on the ALA’s 10 Most Challenged Books of 2017 & 2018
Starr C is balancing between two worlds, the poor, mostly black neighborhood she lives in and the wealthy, mostly white prep school she attends. After she witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend at the hands of a police officer, these worlds collide. Starr must decide whether to keep quiet or stand up for what's right. For teens, YA and adults
This book has been banned and challenged for profanity, depictions of drug use, sexual references and negative depictions of the police.
Drama written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier - listed on the ALA’s 10 Most Challenged Books of 2016, 2017 & 2018
Drama is a graphic novel about Callie, a middle schooler and theater-lover who works in her school's drama production crew. Callie deals with tween hardship, including confusing crushes and budding friendships. For ages 10-14
This book has been banned and challenged for including LGBTQIA+ characters and themes.
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher - listed on the ALA’s 10 Most Challenged Books of 2017 & 2018
This is the story of Hannah Baker, a young high school student who dies by suicide. She leaves behind an audio diary, which she mails to her friend Clay, confronting the people she believes contributed to her decision to end her life. On these tapes, she details the thirteen reasons why she was driven to end her life. For ages 12 and up
This book has been banned, challenged, and restricted for addressing teen suicide
This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki - listed on the ALA’s 10 Most Challenged Books of 2016 & 2018
This graphic novel is a coming of age story about pre-teen friends, Rose and Windy. Rose and her family spend their summers in Windy’s hometown, Awago. During this particular summer, the girls start exploring their interest in boys and they become curious about the emotional lives of the adults around them. What does it mean to grow up and which adult behaviors are appropriate at their ages? For ages 12-18
This book has been banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and certain illustrations.
Skippyjon Jones series written and illustrated by Judy Schachner - listed on the ALA’s 10 Most Challenged Books of 2018
Skippyjon is a Siamese cat with an unusually big head and ears. He becomes convinced he is really a Chihuahua since he doesn't look like his mother and sisters. He has a group of imaginary Chihuahua friends, Los Chimichangos, and he lives with his mother Junebug and three sisters Jezebel, Jillyboo, and Jujube. For ages 3-5
This book has been challenged for depicting stereotypes of Mexican culture and use of mock Spanish.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie - listed on the ALA’s 10 Most Challenged Books of 2017 & 2018 (This book has been on the ALA list since 2008).
This graphic novel is semi-autobiographical and is told in the first-person narrative novel by a 14 yer old Native American known as "Junior." It is a coming-of-age story detailing Junior's life on the Spokane Indian Reservation and his decision to go to an all-white public high school located 22 miles away. Junior describes the hardships that often befall Native Americans living on reservations and the difficulties they face interacting with “White” America. For YA and Adults
This book has been banned and challenged for sexual references, profanity, violence, gambling, underage drinking, and for its religious viewpoint.
This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Kristyna Litten - listed on the ALA’s 10 Most Challenged Books of 2018
This book is about a pride celebration and it invites readers to share in a day of unity. It has a Reading Guide with facts about LGBT history and culture and a Note to Parents and Caregivers with information on how to talk to children in age appropriate way about sexual orientation and gender identity. According to reviewers, This Day In June is “an excellent tool for teaching respect, acceptance, and understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.”
This book has been challenged and burned for including LGBTQIA+ content
Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan - listed on the ALA’s 10 Most Challenged Books of 2016 & 2018
Based on true event, this book is narrated by a Greek Chorus of the generation of gay men lost to AIDS. Harry and Craig are two seventeen-year-olds about to participate in a 32-hour marathon of kissing to set a new Guinness World Record. While they are kissing, Harry and Craig are becoming key figures in the lives of other teens struggling to figure out questions about love, identity, and belonging. For teens, YA and adults
This book has been challenged and burned for including LGBTQIA+ content
The Kite Runner written by Khaled Hosseini - listed on the ALA’s 10 Most Challenged Books of 2017
This book recounts the unlikely friendship between a wealthy boy and the son of his father’s servant in Afghanistan during a turbulent period of change and destruction. This story is about friendship, the power of reading, betrayal and redemption. It explores the relationships between fathers and sons.For YA and adults
This critically acclaimed, multigenerational novel was challenged and banned because it includes sexual violence and was thought to “lead to terrorism” and “promote Islam.”
Sex is a Funny Word written by Cory Silverberg and illustrated by Fiona Smyth - listed on the ALA’s 10 Most Challenged Books of 2017
This is a comic book for kids and families of all makeups, orientations, and gender identities. It was written by a certified sex educator as a resource for children from 8 to 10 years old and their parents or caregivers about bodies, gender, and sexuality. The book encourages conversations between young people and their caregivers, so adults can share their values and beliefs about sex ad relationships while providing information about boundaries, safety, and joy. For ages 7-10
This 2015 informational children’s book was challenged because it addresses sex education and is believed to lead children to “want to have sex or ask questions about sex.”
To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee - listed on the ALA’s 10 Most Challenged Books of 2017 (this book has been on the ALA list since it began in 1990 & the book has been challenged and banned in various U.S. states and foreign countries since it was published in 1960)
The book is told through the eyes of a young white girl named Scout whose father Atticus Finch defends a young Black man in court against allegations of rape made by a white woman and her family in a small southern community.The story reveals the extreme levels of racism within the community and is a poignant reminder of segregation and how society, particularly the legal system, has failed people of color. For YA and adults
This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, considered an American classic, was challenged and banned because of violence and its use of racial slurs.
And Tango Makes Three written by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson and illustrated by Henry Cole - listed on the ALA’s 10 Most Challenged Books of 2017
Two penguins named Roy and Silo are a couple at the penguin house at the Central Park Zoo. Roy and Silo want to have a family. With the kindly zookeeper’s help, they get to welcome a baby penguin of their very own. For ages 2-5
This ALA Notable Children’s Book has been on and off the most challenged list since its publication in 2005. It has been challenged and labeled because it features a same-sex relationship.
I Am Jazz written by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings and illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas - listed on the ALA’s 10 Most Challenged Books of 2016 & 2017
Since she was two years old, Jazz has known she has a girl's brain in a boy's body. She loves pink and prefers dressing up as a mermaid over traditional clothing for boys. It confused her family, until they took her to a doctor who said that Jazz was transgender and that she was born that way. Jazz's story is based on the author’s real-life experiences. For ages 4-8
This autobiographical picture book co-written by the 13-year-old protagonist was challenged because it addresses gender identity in children and sex education. It was also challenged for language and viewpoints deemed offensive.
Looking for Alaska written by John Green - listed on the ALA’s 10 Most Challenged Books of 2016
John Green based the characters and events in this book on his own school experiences at a private school. The main character nicknamed Pudge is actually tall and skinny. He forms a close relationship with a free spirited girl named Alaska who dies tragically. He and a friend struggle to make sense of her death. For teens, YA and adult readers
This book has been challenged for a sexually explicit scene that may lead a student to “sexual experimentation”
Big Hard Sex Criminals written by Matt Fraction and illustrated by Chip Zdarsky - listed on the ALA’s 10 Most Challenged Books of 2016
In this graphic novel, a couple discovers they can stop time when they orgasm and they use this ability to rob banks. Filled with humor, wacky adventures and mature situations for adults
This book has been challenged for being sexually explicit.
Make Something Up: Stories You Can’t Unread written by Chuck Palahniuk - listed on the ALA’s 10 Most Challenged Books of 2016
Palahniuk reprises some of his most outrageous characters (Tyler Durden, etc.) in this collection of featuring some of his earliest short stories and a few new ones. For adults
This work has been challenged for profanity, sexual explicitness and being “disgusting and all around offensive.”
Little Bill (series) written by Bill Cosby and and illustrated by Varnette P. Honeywood - listed on the ALA’s 10 Most Challenged Books of 2016
The "Little Bill" books follow the adventures and life lessons of Bill Jr., a 5-year-old boy in Philadelphia. The series became an Emmy Award-winning Saturday morning cartoon series that ran on and off from 1999 to 2006. For ages 4-8
This book has been challenged because of criminal sexual allegations against the author. According to the ALA, this is the first known series to be challenged solely for the behavior of the author.
Eleanor & Park written by Rainbow Rowell - listed on the ALA’s 10 Most Challenged Books of 2016
This book is the story of Eleanor and Park, high school sweethearts facing the fragility of first love which almost never lasts. Eleanor and Park will make you remember the agony and bliss of your first love. For teen, YA and adult readers
This book has been challenged for offensive language.
Sources:
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/books/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10
"Top Ten Most Challenged Books Lists", American Library Association, March 26, 2013.
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10 (Accessed September 4, 2019)
Document ID: 8417fa9e-ceff-4512-aca9-9fbc81b8bd81