Banned Books

According to the American Library Association, the 10 most challenged books of 2023 were:

1. Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe. An illustrated memoir by Kobabe, who is nonbinary, was challenged because it contained L.G.B.T.Q. content and was called sexually explicit.
2. All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson. This memoir about the joys and challenges of growing up Black and queer was challenged because of L.G.B.T.Q. content and because it was considered sexually explicit.
3. This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson. A nonfiction book that explores growing as an L.G.B.T.Q. person and includes topics like sex and stereotypes, this was challenged because it included L.G.B.T.Q. content, which was considered sexually explicit.
4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. This best-selling book for young adults is about a high school freshman in the suburbs in the 1990s. It was challenged for its L.G.B.T.Q. content, as well as its inclusion of profanity, drugs and rape.
5. Flamer by Mike Curato. A graphic novel for young adults that draws on the author’s own experience, is about a child at Boy Scout camp who is coming to terms with being gay. It was challenged for L.G.B.T.Q. content and for being sexually explicit.
6. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. This was Morrison’s 1970 debut, and follows a Black girl who wishes for blue eyes so she will fit the standards of conventional white beauty. The book also address racism and sexual abuse. It was challenged for its inclusion of rape and incest and because its content was seen as promoting equity, diversity and inclusion.
7. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews A best seller about high school students, this novel was challenged because of profanity and because it was deemed sexually explicit.
8. Tricks by Ellen Hopkins. This novel, about teenagers who fall into prostitution, was challenged for being sexually explicit and including drugs, rape and L.G.B.T.Q. content.
9. Let's Talk About It: The Teen's Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human by Erika Moen, Matthew Nolan. A graphic novel about sex and relationships, this was challenged for being sexually explicit and including L.G.B.T.Q. content.
10. Sold by Patricia McCormick. This National Book Award finalist is about a 13-year-old girl who is sold into prostitution. It was challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and included depictions of rape.

NYT Most Targeted Books of 2023