Banned Books Week, Sept 18 – Sept 24, 2022, is a celebration of the freedom to read and the resistance to censorship worldwide. This year’s theme is “Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us.” Author George M. Johnson has been named Honorary Chair for Banned Books Week in 2022. Every year in the United States there are hundreds of requests across the country to remove books from libraries and schools. Alarmingly, the American Library Association reports that half of the most frequently challenged books were actually banned last year. “Sharing stories important to us means sharing a part of ourselves. Books reach across boundaries and build connections between readers. Censorship, on the other hand, creates barriers. Banned Books Week is both a reminder of the unifying power of stories and the divisiveness of censorship, and a call to action for readers across the country to push back against censorship attempts in their communities.” (American Library Association) Top Ten Book Challenges (2021) The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom creates a yearly top 10 frequently challenged books. Find out which titles made the 2021 list in the video below, then check out one of these titles to read.
Challenged books (1) Gender queer: a memoir by Maia Kobabe Reasons: Banned, challenged, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content, and because it was considered to have sexually explicit images. (2) Lawn boy by Jonathan Evison Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to be sexually explicit (3) All boys aren’t blue: a memoir-manifesto by George M. Johnson Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, profanity, and because it was considered to be sexually explicit (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 (5) The hate u give by Angie Thomas Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, violence, and because it was thought to promote an anti-police message and indoctrination of a social agenda. (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. (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. (8) The bluest eyes by Toni Morrison Reasons: Banned and challenged because it depicts child sexual abuse and was considered sexually explicit. (9) This book is gay by Juno Dawson Reasons: Banned, challenged, relocated, and restricted for providing sexual education and LGBTQIA+ content. (10) Beyond magenta by Susan Kuklin Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to be sexually explicit. Recommended websites 100 most frequently challenged books by decade Books banned by governments Challenges by reasons, initiator, and institution Intellectual freedom challenges in Oregon:a news database The most banned and challenged books of the past 8 years Oregon Library Association: celebrate the freedom to read in Oregon 12 most famous banned books