Several books are currently banned or frequently challenged in the United States, particularly in public schools, with many bans driven by concerns over race, racism, LGBTQ+ topics, sexual content, and violence. According to PEN America, nearly 16,000 book bans have been documented nationwide since 2021, a scale of censorship not seen since the 1950s
. Most banned books in the 2023-2024 school year include:
- Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult (98 bans): A novel about the aftermath of a school shooting
- Looking for Alaska by John Green (97 bans): A coming-of-age story recognized as a modern classic
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (85 bans): A cult-favorite novel exploring high school life
- Sold by Patricia McCormick (85 bans): A National Book Award finalist about a young girl's struggle against trafficking
- Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (76 bans): A story dealing with teen suicide, adapted into a Netflix series
Other frequently challenged or banned books include:
- All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson
- Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
These bans are often concentrated in certain states, with Florida and Iowa accounting for a large portion of the bans
. The American Library Association also tracks frequently challenged books, highlighting ongoing controversies around these titles
. In summary, banned books in the U.S. often address complex social issues such as race, sexuality, and violence, reflecting ongoing cultural and political debates over educational content
