2021's Most Challenged Books Announced

During National Library Week, the American Library Association released its State of America's Libraries Special Report: Pandemic Year Two. This report highlighted the continual effect of the pandemic on libraries as well increase efforts to censor materials. Included in the Special Report is the popular Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2021.

The American Library Association tracked 729 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2021. Of the 1,597 individual books that were challenged or banned in 2021, here are the top 10 most challenged:

No. 1: 'Gender Queer' by Maia Kobabe

REASONS: Banned, challenged, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to have sexually explicit images. (Click here to find it on Evergreen)

No. 2: 'Lawn Boy' by Jonathan Evison

REASONS: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to be sexually explicit. (Click here to find it on Evergreen)

No. 3: 'All Boys Aren't Blue' by George M. Johnson

REASONS: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, profanity, and because it was considered to be sexually explicit. (Click here to find it on Evergreen)

No. 4: 'Out of Darkness' by Ashley Hope Perez

REASONS: Banned, challenged, and restricted for depictions of abuse and because it was considered to be sexually explicit. (Click here to find it on Evergreen)

No. 5: 'The Hate U Give' by Angie Thomas

REASONS: Banned and challenged for profanity, violence, and it was thought to promote an antipolice message and indoctrination of a social agenda. (Click here to find it on Evergreen)

No. 6: 'The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian' by Sherman Alexie

REASONS: Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and use of a derogatory term. (Click here to find it on Evergreen)

No. 7: 'Me and Earl and the Dying Girl' by Jesse Andrews

REASONS: Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and degrading to women. (Click here to find it on Evergreen)

No. 8: 'The Bluest Eye' by Toni Morrison

REASONS: Banned and challenged because it depicts child sexual abuse and was considered sexually explicit. (Click here to find it on Evergreen)

No. 9: 'This Book is Gay' by Juno Dawson

REASONS: Banned, challenged, relocated, and restricted for providing sexual education and LGBTQIA+ content. (Click here to find it on Evergreen)

No. 10: 'Beyond Magenta' by Susan Kuklin

​REASONS: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to be sexually explicit. (Click here to find it on Evergreen)