In recent times, the United States has seen a significant rise in the banning of books, particularly those that tackle sensitive or controversial topics. Here, we delve into each of the 50 most banned books, exploring their themes, controversies, and the reasons behind their frequent challenges.
- “People Kill People” by Ellen Hopkins: This novel confronts the issue of gun violence in America through multiple perspectives, offering insights into the complex factors leading to such tragedies. Its ban often stems from its candid exploration of violence and the psychological elements behind it.
- “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie: A semi-autobiographical novel, it follows a Native American teenager navigating life between his reservation and a predominantly white high school. Challenges come from its discussions of poverty, alcoholism, and sexuality.
- “This One Summer” by Mariko and Jillian Tamaki: This graphic novel portrays the coming-of-age story of two girls during a summer vacation. Its bans are due to depictions of teenage sexuality, language, and LGBTQ+ themes.
- “Lucky” by Alice Sebold: A memoir detailing Sebold’s own experience of rape and its aftermath. It faces censorship primarily for its explicit descriptions of sexual assault and its emotional impact.
- “The Nowhere Girls” by Amy Reed: This novel tackles rape culture and sexism through the story of three high school girls. It’s banned for its explicit content and discussion of sexual assault.
- “Scars” by Cheryl Rainfield: Addressing themes of self-harm and sexual abuse, this novel follows a teenager coping with the aftermath of abuse. It’s often banned for its graphic content and portrayal of sensitive issues.
- “Shine” by Lauren Myracle: This mystery novel involves a hate crime against a gay teenager in a small town. It’s challenged due to its treatment of LGBTQ+ themes, language, and sexual content.
- “Watchmen” by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons: A graphic novel that deconstructs the idea of the superhero, delving into complex themes of morality, violence, and power. Its bans come from graphic violence, sexual content, and complex themes deemed inappropriate for younger readers.
- “Monday’s Not Coming” by Tiffany D. Jackson: A gripping narrative about a girl investigating the disappearance of her friend. It’s banned for addressing child abuse, neglect, and systemic failures in protecting children.
- “Lawn Boy” by Jonathan Evison: This novel explores the life of a young Mexican American man grappling with societal and personal expectations. Challenges arise from discussions of race, class, and sexuality.
- “Forever…” by Judy Blume: A novel that explores teenage sexuality and relationships. It’s frequently banned for its frank discussions of sex and contraception.
- “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood: A dystopian novel depicting a future where women are subjugated by a theocratic regime. It faces bans for its sexual content, political themes, and depictions of religious extremism.
- “Oryx and Crake” by Margaret Atwood: This dystopian novel explores genetic engineering and its ethical implications. Bans stem from its mature content, including sexual acts and violence.
- “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” by Jesse Andrews: A novel about high school students creating films and dealing with a peer’s cancer diagnosis. It’s challenged for language, sexual content, and a perceived disrespectful tone toward serious illness.
- “The Upside of Unrequited” by Becky Albertalli: A story about unrequited love, self-acceptance, and the complexities of growing up. It faces bans due to LGBTQ+ themes and sexual content.
- “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas: Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, this novel addresses police brutality and racism. It’s often banned for its language, drug use, and political content.
- “Eleanor & Park” by Rainbow Rowell: A love story between two misfit teenagers, addressing issues of race, bullying, and domestic abuse. Challenges come from language, sexual content, and depictions of abuse.
- “Nineteen Minutes” by Jodi Picoult: This novel delves into a school shooting’s aftermath, exploring themes of bullying and social isolation. It’s banned for its violent content and explicit descriptions.
- “Out of Darkness” by Ashley Hope Pérez: Set in the 1930s, this novel explores an interracial love affair amidst racial segregation. It’s banned for its depiction of racism, violence, and sexual content.
- “Breathless” by Jennifer Niven: A coming-of-age story dealing with change, love, and self-discovery. The bans are due to sexual content and mature themes.
- “Empire of Storms” by Sarah J. Maas: Part of a fantasy series, this book includes battles for power and romance. It’s challenged for sexual content and violence.
- “Tilt” by Ellen Hopkins: A novel in verse, exploring the lives of three teenagers facing their own personal crises. It’s banned for its explicit content and themes of sexuality and drug use.
- “Impulse” by Ellen Hopkins: This novel follows three teenagers in a psychiatric hospital, dealing with themes of mental illness, suicide, and recovery. It faces bans for its depiction of these sensitive topics.
- “Identical” by Ellen Hopkins: Tackling issues of identity, abuse, and trauma through the story of twins. It’s often banned for its graphic content and disturbing themes.
- “Fallout” by Ellen Hopkins: Explores the impact of a mother’s drug addiction on her children. It’s challenged for its portrayal of drug use, sexuality, and abuse.
- “Looking for Alaska” by John Green: A novel about a group of boarding school students dealing with themes of grief and existential questions. It’s banned for sexual content, language, and themes of suicide.
- “Melissa (George)” by Alex Gino: A story about a transgender child finding her identity. It faces bans due to LGBTQ+ content and challenges to traditional gender roles.
- “The Carnival at Bray” by Jessie Ann Foley: Follows a teenager’s journey of self-discovery and first love, set against the backdrop of 1990s grunge music. It’s banned for sexual content, language, and drug use.
- “Damsel” by Elana K. Arnold: A dark fairy tale exploring themes of power, agency, and assault. Challenges arise from its graphic content and disturbing themes.
- “The Sun and Her Flowers” by Rupi Kaur: A poetry collection exploring growth, healing, and femininity. It’s challenged for its mature themes and explicit content.
- “Thirteen Reasons Why” by Jay Asher: Addresses teen suicide through a series of tapes left by a girl who took her own life. It’s banned for its depiction of suicide and mature content.
- “Red Hood” by Elana K. Arnold: Retells the Little Red Riding Hood story with themes of empowerment and survival. It’s banned for its violent and sexual content.
- “The Haters” by Jesse Andrews: Follows a group of teens who escape a music camp to start their own band. It’s challenged for language, sexual content, and drug use.
- “A Court of Wings and Ruin” by Sarah J. Maas: A high fantasy novel dealing with war, politics, and romance. It faces bans for its sexual content and depictions of violence.
- “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas: Introduces a fantasy world with themes of survival, loyalty, and love. It’s banned for sexual content and violence.
- “A Court of Frost and Starlight” by Sarah J. Maas: A bridge between events in the series, focusing on recovery and rebuilding. It’s challenged for sexual content and mature themes.
- “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson: A memoir-manifesto exploring the experiences of a Black queer boy growing up in America. It’s banned for LGBTQ+ content and explicit discussions of sexuality.
- “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky: Chronicles a teenager’s struggles with trauma, sexuality, and drugs. It’s frequently banned for its mature themes and explicit content.
- “What Girls Are Made Of” by Elana K. Arnold: A raw exploration of female sexuality and the quest for love. It faces bans due to its explicit sexual content and challenging themes.
- “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison: Examines issues of race, beauty, and identity through the story of a young Black girl. It’s often banned for its graphic content and themes of incest and child abuse.
- “Milk and Honey” by Rupi Kaur: A collection of poetry and prose about survival, loss, and femininity. Challenges come from its explicit themes and depictions of violence and sexuality.
- “This Book Is Gay” by Juno Dawson: A non-fiction book providing a frank discussion of LGBTQ+ issues for teenagers. It’s banned for its explicit content and discussion of sexuality.
- “Push” by Sapphire: Tells the harrowing tale of a young woman overcoming abuse and illiteracy. It’s challenged for its graphic language, scenes of abuse, and explicit content.
- “Sold” by Patricia McCormick: A novel highlighting the horrors of human trafficking through the eyes of a young girl. It faces bans for its explicit content and themes of sexual exploitation.
- “A Court of Mist and Fury” by Sarah J. Maas: Continues the fantasy saga with themes of recovery and resistance. It’s banned for sexual content and mature themes.
- “Crank” by Ellen Hopkins: A verse novel depicting the spiral into methamphetamine addiction. It’s often banned for its portrayal of drug use and explicit content.
- “The Handmaid’s Tale: The Graphic Novel” by Margaret Atwood: A visual adaptation of the dystopian classic, banned for its graphic sexual content and political themes.
- “Tricks” by Ellen Hopkins: Follows five teenagers who fall into prostitution, addressing themes of desperation and survival. It’s banned for its explicit sexual content and mature themes.
- “Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe: An autobiographical comic exploring nonbinary and asexual identity. It faces bans for LGBTQ+ content and explicit illustrations.
- “Flamer” by Mike Curato: A graphic novel about a boy coming to terms with his gay identity. It’s challenged for LGBTQ+ content and dealing with themes of bullying and self-acceptance.
Each of these books offers unique perspectives and important conversations, often pushing the boundaries of conventional discourse. Their frequent bans underscore the tension between the protection of youth and the suppression of free expression.
In exploring these works, readers can better understand the diverse and complex world around them, highlighting the importance of access to varied literary voices.