Challenged or Banned Books in an Era of Conservatism by Fran Joyce
September is Banned Books Month and this year, the week of September 27 – October 3 has been designated as Banned Books Week – the time to celebrate the freedom to read.
The American Library Association (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom started Banned Books Week in the 1980s during the Reagan Administration when challenges to books and organized protests by conservative groups were escalating.
A challenge is an attempt by an individual or a group to remove or restrict materials based on their objections to the material. A ban is the removal of those materials.
The ALA compiles lists of challenged and banned books from data received from libraries, schools, and the media from communities across the country about attempts to ban books. The purpose of these lists is to inform the public about all attempts to censor reading material in libraries and schools.
Challenges typically come from individuals or groups attempting to suppress ideas or individuals that conflict or disagree with their beliefs. The three most common grounds used to challenge books are:
1. Sexually explicit material
2. Offensive language
3. Unsuitable for any age group.
Since the 2016 election, the number of challenges to books is once again escalating. More books are being challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and representations of transgender people.
Are these numbers increasing because more books are being written about LGBTQIA+ subjects and transgender peoples? Are conservatives in our society becoming more vocal in their objections to the LGBTQIA+ community? According to the FBI’s annual Hate Crime Statistics Report, the number of hate crime incidents targeting lesbians, gays, or bisexuals in the United States increased by 6% in 2018 over 2017 figures and the number of hate crime incidents targeting transgender individuals rose by 41% over the same time period.
The statistics on censorship attempts are indicative of growing intolerance in this country toward the LGBTQIA+ community and a reason for concern as evidenced by this FBI report.
Listed below are the ten most challenged books of the year from 2016 through 2019 which is the latest calendar year we have statistics for. Included with each book are the reasons for it being challenged. We started in 2019 and worked backward. As you read through these lists, please take note that there have been actual burnings of books.
Information in this article has been taken from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10
https://www.washingtonblade.com/2019/11/20/fbi-report-shows-increase-in-anti-lgbt-hate-crimes/
Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2019
According to the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom, there were 377 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2019. In total, 566 books were targeted. *As you will see 8 of the 10 books contain LGBTQIA+ issues and themes.
George* by Alex Gino (Featured on the Top 10 Most Challenged List for 2019, 2018, 2017 & 2016)
George is the story of a young transgender girl, Melissa. She is a fourth-grader struggling to be accepted.
This book has been challenged, banned, restricted, and hidden to avoid controversy because of its LGBTQIA+ content and its transgender main character. Objections were based on a belief that schools and libraries shouldn’t expose children to books that require a discussion about sexual orientation or contain sexual references. Other challenges contend that its subject matter conflicts with certain religious viewpoints and “traditional family structure.”
2. Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out* by Susan Kuklin
This book examines the lives, loves, and struggles of six transgender teens through interviews and photographs.
It has been challenged for LGBTQIA+ content. Concerns were expressed about its effect on young readers, sexually explicit content, and bias by the author in support of transgender teens.
3. A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo* by Jill Twiss, illustrated by EG Keller (Featured on the Top 10 Most Challenged List for 2019 & 2018)
This book is a parody of the book written by members of the Pence family featuring their pet rabbit, Marlon Bundo describing the typical day of Vice President Pence. In the parody, that features Marlon Bundo in a same-sex relationship with another rabbit, Pence is being called out for controversial anti-LGBTQIA+ views, his support of conversion therapy for gay and lesbian adolescents, and his opposition to gay marriage.
This book has been challenged and vandalized for LGBTQIA+ content and political viewpoints. Concerns were expressed about the content of the book polluting the morals of its readers, and the lack of a content warning on its cover or in printed book descriptions by the publisher.
4. Sex is a Funny Word* by Cory Silverberg, illustrated by Fiona Smyth (Featured on the Top 10 Most Challenged List for 2019 & 2017)
This is a comic book for kids that includes kids and families of all makeups and gender identities. It discusses the human body, gender identity, and sexuality. It is geared toward children ages 8-10 and written to encourage conversation between them and their parents and/or caregivers about sex education, values, safety, and boundaries.
It has been challenged, banned, and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content and for its discussions of gender identity and sex education. Concerns were expressed about the appropriateness of the title and several illustrations in the book.
5. Prince & Knight* by Daniel Haack, illustrated by Stevie Lewis
This book tells the story of a young prince who falls in love with a knight after they battle a terrible dragon and save the kingdom. The prince and the knight marry at the end of the book.
It has been challenged and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content and featuring a gay marriage. Opponents of the book claim it deliberately attempts to indoctrinate young children to accept gay marriage and has the potential to cause confusion, curiosity, and gender dysphoria. Concerns were also raised about its themes of acceptance conflicting with religious viewpoints.
6. I Am Jazz* by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas (Featured on the Top 10 Most Challenged List for 2019, 2017 & 2016)
This book is the story of the experiences of a transgender child. It is based on the real-life experiences of Jazz Jennings who has become a spokesperson for trans kids.
It has been challenged and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content and its transgender main character. Concerns were expressed because this book confronts a topic that is “sensitive, controversial, and politically charged.”
7. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
This dystopian novel is set in the United States after its government has been toppled by a totalitarian state. It explores the themes of subjugated women in a patriarchal society and their attempts to resist control.
It has been banned and challenged for profanity, vulgarity, and strong sexual overtones.
8. Drama* written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier (Featured on the Top 10 Most Challenged List for 2019, 2018, 2017 & 2016)
This is a graphic novel centering on the main character, Callie a middle school student who loves theater and volunteers in her school’s drama department. Along with Callie, readers get a first-hand glimpse of young love, crushes, friendships, and building relationships in a supportive environment.
It has been challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and for concerns it goes against “family values/morals” because it accepts and normalizes same-sex relationships.
9. Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling
We all know the story of the boy who lived and the wizarding world he must save.
It continues to be banned and forbidden from the discussion for referring to magic and witchcraft, for containing actual curses and spells that can be recited, and for characters who use “nefarious means” to attain goals.
10. And Tango Makes Three* by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson illustrated by Henry Cole (Featured on the Top 10 Most Challenged List for 2019 & 2017)
This book tells the story of two male penguins who create a family together after being given an egg to hatch by the zookeeper. It’s based on the true story of two male penguins in the Central Park Zoo in New York.
It has been challenged and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content.
Top 11 Most Challenged Books of 2018
The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom lists 347 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2018. In total, 483 books were challenged or banned in 2018. Eleven books made the top ten list of most challenged books for 2018. Five books feature LGBTQIA+ themes and three of these books containing LGBTQIA+ themes also made the 2019 list*.
George* by Alex Gino (see 2019 data)
A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo* by Jill Twiss, illustrated by EG Keller (see 2019 data)
Captain Underpants series - written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey
This series follows the escapes of two fictional fourth-grade boys in Ohio who create an underground comic called, Captain Underpants. Their character becomes real when they “accidentally” hypnotize their ill-tempered school principal.
This series has been challenged since its creation because it was perceived as encouraging disruptive behavior and disrespect for authority and its use of ‘potty” language. Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot has been challenged for including a same-sex couple.
4. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (Featured on the Top 10 Most Challenged List for 2018 & 2017)
This is a novel for young adults about Starr, a black girl from a poor neighborhood, who wins a scholarship to a prestigious predominantly white school, and her struggles to function in the two environments. After witnessing the murder of her childhood friend by a white policeman, she does the right thing and speaks up, but the officer is acquitted sparking social outrage and rioting.
It has been banned and challenged because it was deemed “anti-cop.” Concerns were expressed about profanity, drug use, and sexual references contained in the book.
5. Drama* written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier (see 2019 data)
6. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (Featured on the Top 10 Most Challenged List for 2018, & 2017)
This is a book for young adults that addresses the increasing numbers of teen suicide in our society. It’s the story of a young high school girl who descends into depression and despair after being betrayed and bullied. She eventually takes her own life.
It has been banned, challenged, and restricted for addressing teen suicide.
7. This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki (Featured on the Top 10 Most Challenged List for 2018 & 2016)
This is the story of two teenaged friends, Rose, and Wendy, who explore their own identities and sexuality during a summer at the beach while dealing with changing family dynamics and issues of mental disabilities.
It has been banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and certain illustrations.
8. Skippyjon Jones series written and illustrated by Judy Schachner
This book tells the story of a Siamese cat with large ears that is often mistaken for a Chihuahua. Skippyion Jones has a series of adventures and misadventures with a group of imaginary Chihuahua friends.
It has been challenged for depicting stereotypes of Mexican culture.
9. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (Featured on the Top 10 Most Challenged List for 2018 & 2017)
This book is a first-person narrative novel written from the perspective of a Native American teenager, Arnold Spirit who is a promising cartoonist. Arnold decides to go to an all-white high school located outside the Spokane Indian Reservation where he lives.
It has been banned and challenged for sexual references, profanity, violence, gambling, and depictions of underage drinking. Concerns were expressed about the religious viewpoints expressed in the book.
10. This Day in June* by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Kristyna Litten
This is a picture book illustrating a pride parade. It recounts LGBT history and culture.
It has been challenged and burned for including LGBTQIA+ content
11. Two Boys Kissing* by David Levithan (Featured on the Top 10 Most Challenged List for 2018 & 2016)
This book is based on a true story about two teenaged boys taking part in a 32-hour kissing marathon to set a new Guinness World Record. Interwoven are the stories of many other boys struggling for acceptance and the right to love who they love.
It has been challenged and burned for including LGBTQIA+ content
Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2017
The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom recorded 354 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2017. In 2017, there were 416 books challenged or banned. Five books on this list have LGBTQIA+ themes.
Thirteen Reasons Why written by Jay Asher (see 2018 data)
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian written by Sherman Alexie (see 2018 data)
Drama* written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier (see 2019 data)
The Kite Runner - written by Khaled Hossein
This critically acclaimed, multigenerational novel tells the story of Amir, a young man from Kabul, and his complex friendship with Hassan, the son of Amir’s father’s servant.
It was challenged and banned for depictions of sexual violence and concern that the storyline
would encourage readers to condone or commit acts of terrorism and promote Islam.
5. George* written by Alex Gino (see 2019 data)
6. Sex is a Funny Word* written by Cory Silverberg and illustrated by Fiona Smyth (see 2019 data)
7. To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee
This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, considered an American classic, is about the trial of a black man accused of raping a white woman in the Jim Crow South.
It was once again challenged and banned because of violence and its use of the N-word.
8. The Hate U Give written by Angie Thomas (see 2018 data)
9. And Tango Makes Three* written by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson and illustrated by
Henry Cole (see 2019 data)
10. Am Jazz* written by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings and illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas
(see 2019 data)
Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2016
In 2016 there were 323 challenges recorded by the Office for Intellectual Freedom. Four books on this list contain LGBTQIA+ themes.
This One Summer - written by Mariko Tamaki and illustrated by Jillian Tamaki (see 2018 data)
Drama* - written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier (see 2019 data)
George* written by Alex Gino (see 2019 data)
I Am Jazz* written by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, and illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas (see 2019 data)
Two Boys Kissing* written by David Levithan (see 2018 data)
Looking for Alaska written by John Green
This YA novel is about the main character, Miles Halter’s experiences at boarding school. Among his group of friends is a boy named Alaska Young who dies in the first half of the book. The second half deals with finding out how/why Alaska really died.
It has been challenged for a sexually explicit scene that opponents of the book claim may encourage young readers to indulge in “sexual experimentation.”
7. Big Hard Sex Criminals - written by Matt Fraction and illustrated by Chip Zdarsky
This is a comic book about Suzie, a librarian who hooks up with an actor named Jon at a party. When they discover they can freeze time during an orgasm they decide to rob a bank to save Susie’s library. Other adventures ensue in the series.
It has been challenged because of its sexually explicit content.
8. Make Something Up: Stories You Can’t Unread written by Chuck Palahniuk
This book contains 21 stories and a novella. It’s open season on everything as only the imagination of Palahniuk can put into words.
It has been challenged for profanity, sexual explicitness, and being “disgusting and all-around offensive.”
9.Little Bill (series) - written by Bill Cosby and illustrated by Varnette P. Honeywood
This is a book series featuring Little Bill who learns a positive lesson or moral in each story
It has been challenged because of criminal sexual allegations against the author, Bill Cosby. The challenges have nothing to do with the content of the book series which formerly garnered rave reviews from parents and teachers.
10. Eleanor & Park written by Rainbow Rowell
This book is about friendship and survival. Eleanor is from an abusive family. She is forced to wear cast-off clothing and scramble for the bare necessities to exist often sleeping on friends’ couches when her stepfather kicks her out of the apartment. Park is from a loving middle-class family, but he often feels unworthy because of his family’s high expectations. Together Eleanor and Park face bullies and try to make it through high school.
It has been challenged for offensive language.
Of the 41 books listed here, eleven books made the list in multiple years. Two books with LGBTQIA+ themes made the list for all four years. In 2016, four books with LGBTQIA+ themes made the list of Top Ten Challenged Books as opposed to eight books with LGTBQIA+ themes in 2019.