National Library Week (April 23-29) starts with the release of the American Library Association’s list of the Top 13 Most Challenged Books of 2022. Today also marks Right to Read Day, a day for readers, advocates, and library lovers to oppose censorship and defend, protect, and celebrate your right to read freely. One way you can celebrate your right to read is to borrow frequently-challenged books from our library.
Top 13 Most Challenged Books of 2022 (and where to find them in the Gustavus Library!):
1. Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
Number of challenges: 151
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
General Collection HQ77.8.K625 A3 2022
2. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
Number of challenges: 86
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
Young Adult HQ76.27.A37 J644 2020
3. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Number of challenges: 73
Challenged for: depiction of sexual abuse, EDI content, claimed to be sexually explicit
General Collection PS3563.O8749 B55 2007
4. Flamer by Mike Curato
Number of challenges: 62
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
Young Adult PZ7.7.C875 F53 2020
5. Looking for Alaska by John Green
Number of challenges: 55
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
Young Adult PZ7.G8233 L66 2005
6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Number of challenges: 55
Challenged for: depiction of sexual abuse, LGBTQIA+ content, drug use, profanity, claimed to be sexually explicit
Book is on order; DVD available at AV PN1997.85 .P475 2013
7. Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison
Number of challenges: 54
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
General Collection PS3605.V57 L39 2019
8. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Number of challenges: 52
Challenged for: profanity, claimed to be sexually explicit
Course Reserves PZ7.A382 A37 2017
9. Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez
Number of challenges: 50
Challenged for: depictions of abuse, claimed to be sexually explicit
Young Adult PZ7.P4255 O88 2015
10. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Number of challenges: 48
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit
On order
11. Crank by Ellen Hopkins
Number of challenges: 48
Challenged for: drug use, claimed to be sexually explicit
On order
12. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
Number of challenges: 48
Challenged for: profanity, claimed to be sexually explicit
Young Adult PZ7.A56726 M4 2015
13. This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson
Number of challenges: 48
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, providing sexual education, claimed to be sexually explicit
Young Adult HQ76.26 .D39 2021
Would you like more information? Questions? Ask a Librarian!