NEW YORK — In recent times, the practice of removing books from library shelves is no longer an isolated event led by local communities or individuals, according to the American Library Association (ALA). Instead, the findings from the ALA’s latest State of American Libraries Report, released on Monday, indicate that over 70% of attempts to ban one or more book titles stem from organized groups and elected officials, with only 16% initiated by parents.
Books such as “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe and “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison are frequently criticized and are featured on websites like ratedbooks.org, as well as in lists put together by groups like Moms for Liberty and other conservative organizations. Deborah Caldwell-Stone, who directs the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, noted that many of these challenges can be traced back to lists disseminated by such groups.
In conjunction with its annual report, the ALA has also published a list of the 10 most “challenged books” of 2024. At the top is George M. Johnson’s “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” along with “Gender Queer,” “The Bluest Eye,” “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky, and “Looking for Alaska” by John Green. A large number of the books on this list encompass LGBTQ+ themes, continuing a trend that’s persisted over several years. Objections also encompass subjects like drug addiction, as depicted in Ellen Hopkins’ “Crank,” as well as slavery and sexual abuse themes found in Patricia McCormick’s “Sold.”
A “challenge” is defined by the ALA as a “formal, written complaint filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed due to content or appropriateness.” The association, which collects data on censorship through media coverage and reports from librarians, suspects the actual number of challenges is significantly higher than what its annual studies reveal.
The release of this report coincides with a particularly challenging period for libraries. The Trump administration’s sweeping budget cuts affect the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which is already withdrawing grants from state libraries. Book bans have escalated markedly in recent years, and several states, including Texas, Florida, Iowa, and Utah, have enacted laws that limit the acquisitions of school libraries. Even though the ALA notes a decrease in challenges in 2024, with 821 recorded attempts compared to 1,247 in the previous year, the current figures remain significantly elevated compared to pre-2021 levels.
Caldwell-Stone argues that censorship has not truly diminished. Now, libraries tend to shy away from including books that are deemed controversial or are at risk of being banned by new legislation. “I talked to a librarian from Texas who was uncertain about adding a political book to their collection,” she explained. “Many librarians are apprehensive about legal repercussions or prosecution. Numerous librarians are navigating under these intimidating conditions.”
Here is the list of 2024’s 10 Most Challenged Books:
1. “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” by George M. Johnson
2. “Gender Queer,” by Maia Kobabe
3. (Tie) “The Bluest Eye,” by Toni Morrison
3. (Tie) “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky
5. “Tricks,” by Ellen Hopkins
6. (Tie) “Looking for Alaska,” by John Green
6. (Tie) “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” by Jesse Andrews
8. (Tie) “Crank,” by Ellen Hopkins
8. (Tie) “Sold,” by Patricia McCormick
10. “Flamer,” by Mike Curato