Expecting this banned books list will be ongoing, unfortunately…
Book bans represent a significant threat to the First Amendment by restricting access to diverse ideas and viewpoints, which are essential to a free and democratic society. These bans orchestrated by right wing groups often target literature that addresses complex and sometimes controversial themes such as race, sexuality, and political ideologies, under the guise of protecting young readers.
However, this form of censorship undermines intellectual freedom and the right to read, leading to a homogenized culture that stifles critical thinking and open dialogue. The American Library Association (ALA) and PEN America have documented thousands of instances where books have been removed from school and public libraries, reflecting a concerted effort by certain groups to impose their moral or political standards on the wider community, thus eroding the foundational principles of free expression enshrined in the First Amendment.
Most Banned Books (2023-2024)
- “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe
- “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson
- “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison
- “Out of Darkness” by Ashley Hope Pérez
- “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas
- “Beyond Magenta” by Susan Kuklin
- “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie
- “Melissa” (previously published as “George”) by Alex Gino
- “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You” by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
- “Drama” by Raina Telgemeier