The American Library Association (ALA) has released its annual list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023, to commemorate the beginning of National Library Week.
The ALA said Monday the number of unique titles targeted for censorship surged 65 percent in 2023 compared to 2022, reaching the highest levels ever documented by ALA in its more than 140-year history.
“In looking at the titles of the most challenged books from last year, it’s obvious that the pressure groups are targeting books about LGBTQIA+ people and people of color,” said ALA President Emily Drabinski, in a statement. “At ALA, we are fighting for the freedom to choose what you want to read. Shining a light on the harmful workings of these pressure groups is one of the actions we must take to protect our right to read.”
Number one on the list was “Gender Queer,” by Maia Kobabe. The ALA said critics said the LGBTQIA+ content was sexually explicit. The same reasons were given for number two on the list “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” by George M. Johnson.
Number three was “This Book is Gay,” by Juno Dawson. Critics blamed the LGBTQIA+ content, sex education, and said it was sexually explicit.
Number four on the ALA’s list of most challenged books was “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky. Opponents said it was sexually explicit and didn’t like the LGBTQIA+ content, rape, drugs, and profanity.
“Flamer,” by Mike Curato was number five on the list, with critics taking issue with the LGBTQIA+ content. They also said it was sexually explicit.
“The Bluest Eye,” by Toni Morrison was number six on the list. Critics cited the inclusion of rape, incest, EDI (equity, diversity and inclusion) content and said it was sexually explicit.
There was a tie for seventh between “Tricks,” by Ellen Hopkins (critics said it was sexually explicit and depicted drugs, rape, and LGBTQIA+ content) and “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” by Jesse Andrews, which critics said was sexually explicit and contained profanity.
Number 9 was “Let’s Talk About It,” by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan. Would-be censors said it was sexually explicit and contained sex education and LGBTQIA+ content.
Number 10 was “Sold,” by Patricia McCormick, which critics said was sexually explicit and depicted rape.
The ALA said Americans tried to ban 4,240 books in schools and libraries in 2023, up from 2,571 in 2022. It was the highest number of books targeted for censorship in the ALA’s more than 140 years of documented history, the group said.
The ALA said four key trends emerged from the data gathered from 2023 censorship reports.
Pressure groups in 2023 focused on public libraries in addition to school libraries. The number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92 percent over the previous year. School libraries saw an 11 percent increase.
Groups and individuals demanding the censorship of multiple titles, often dozens or hundreds at a time, drove this surge, according to the ALA.
Titles representing the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals made up 47 percent of those targeted in censorship attempts.
Each demand to ban a book is a demand to deny each person’s constitutionally protected right to choose and read books that raise important issues and lift up the voices of those who are often silenced.
Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom
There were attempts to censor more than 100 titles in each of these 17 states: Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
“The reports from librarians and educators in the field make it clear that the organized campaigns to ban books aren’t over, and that we must all stand together to preserve our right to choose what we read,” said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, in a statement.
“Each demand to ban a book is a demand to deny each person’s constitutionally protected right to choose and read books that raise important issues and lift up the voices of those who are often silenced,” Caldwell-Stone said. “By joining initiatives like Unite Against Book Bans and other organizations that support libraries and schools, we can end this attack on essential community institutions and our civil liberties.”