Each year, in April, the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom releases a top ten list of the most challenged books from the previous year. The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 347 challenges to library, school and university materials and services in 2018, as well as 483 books that were challenged or banned. This year they released a top eleven list because the last two books on the list tied for tenth place.
1. George by Alex Gino
(available at the SKYCTC Library)
Reasons: banned, challenged, and relocated because it was believed to encourage children to clear browser history and change their bodies using hormones, and for mentioning “dirty magazines,” describing male anatomy, “creating confusion,” and including a transgender character
2. A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss, illustrated by EG Keller
Reasons: banned and challenged for including LGBTQIA+ content, and for political and religious viewpoints
3. Captain Underpants series written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey
(some available at WKU Libraries)
Reasons: series was challenged because it was perceived as encouraging disruptive behavior, while Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot was challenged for including a same-sex couple
4. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
(available at the SKYCTC Library)
Reasons: banned and challenged because it was deemed “anti-cop,” and for profanity, drug use, and sexual references
5. Drama written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier
Reasons: banned and challenged for including LGBTQIA+ characters and themes
6. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Reasons: banned, challenged, and restricted for addressing teen suicide
7. This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki
Reasons: banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and certain illustrations
8. Skippyjon Jones series written and illustrated by Judy Schachner
Reason: challenged for depicting stereotypes of Mexican culture
9. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
(available at the SKYCTC Library)
Reasons: banned and challenged for sexual references, profanity, violence, gambling, and underage drinking, and for its religious viewpoint
10. This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Kristyna Litten
Reason: challenged and burned for including LGBTQIA+ content Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan Reason: challenged and burned for including LGBTQIA+ content
11. Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan
Reason: challenged and burned for including LGBTQIA+ content
The theme for Banned Books Week 2018 is “Banning Books Silences Stories.” This is a reminder that everyone needs to speak out against the tide of censorship. Censorship succeeds when no one talks about it. When books are banned, stories are silenced, and Banned Books Week is a call to action to speak up for the right to read. As the attacks on the right to read escalate, a celebration of reading is needed now more than ever. We encourage readers to raise their megaphones and speak out for banned books!
