In 2021, 1,597 books were challenged or banned in the United States, according to the newest report by the American Library Association.
The most challenged book of the year 2021, as reported by the American Library Association in State of America’s Libraries Report 2022, was Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe.
This touching memoir about Kobabe’s path to identifying as nonbinary and asexual, was banned, challenged, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content, and because it was considered to have sexually explicit images.
In 2021, 1,597 books were affected by censorship attempts. Most attempts – as many as 39% – were initiated by parents. Library patrons were behind 24% of challenges, followed by board administration (18%) and political or religious groups and associations (10%).
Over 80% of challenges took place in the libraries (44% – school libraries, 37% – public libraries). The most common reasons for challenges were sexually explicit content and critical race theory.
Stephanie Hlywak, ALA’s Director of the Communications and Marketing Office, wrote in the introduction to the report:
Books reach across boundaries and build connections
between readers. Reading—especially books that extend
beyond our own experiences—expands our worldview.
Censorship, on the other hand, divides us and creates barriers.
You can read and download the full report for free from ALA’s website. There, you can also find visual materials that you can share to spread the word about the current state the American libraries, and the report itself.
Top 10 most challenged books in 2021
1. Gender Queer 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 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 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 Eye 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.
Book censorship in 2021 by the numbers
In 2021, 1,597 books were affected by censorship attempts. Most attempts – as many as 39% – were initiated by parents.
Library patrons were behind 24% of challenges, followed by board administration (18%) and political or religious groups and associations (10%).
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