It’s Banned Books Week again, and the censorship of books is more dire than ever. From The American Library Association’s website (it's long, but important):

"The American Library Association condemns censorship and works to defend each person's right to read under the First Amendment and to ensure free access to information. Every year, ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) compiles a list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books in order to inform the public about censorship in libraries and schools. The lists are based on information from reports filed by library professionals and community members, as well as news stories published throughout the United States.

Because many book challenges are not reported to the ALA or covered by the press, the Top Most Challenged Books lists and data compiled by ALA represent only a snapshot of book challenges. A challenge to a book may be resolved in favor of retaining the book in the collection, or it can result in a book being restricted or withdrawn from the library.

ALA documented 4,240 unique book titles targeted for censorship in 2023—a 65% surge over 2022 numbers—as well as 1,247 demands to censor library books, materials, and resources. Pressure groups focused on public libraries in addition to targeting school libraries. The number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92% over the previous year, accounting for about 46% of all book challenges in 2023.

Of the record 4,240 unique titles targeted for censorship, the most challenged and reasons cited for censoring the books are listed below.

Looking for the most challenged books from previous years? Check out the Top 10 Most Challenged Books Archive for lists and data going back to 2001, as well as the 100 most challenged books of past decades.

Your support matters now more than ever. Donations strengthen ALA's efforts to fight censorship, support libraries and library workers confronting attempts to remove materials and other resources, and increase awareness about the nationwide assault on the freedom to read. If you're able, please consider donating to the Office for Intellectual Freedom today.”

This year's theme is "Freed Between the Lines / Libérate entre las páginas." The week culminates in a day of action on Saturday, September 28th. Look for Banned Books Week events in your area to get involved. And don't miss reading Adrienne L. Pettinelli's "Field Notes: The Day the Book Banners Came for Us" (from the September/October 2022 Horn Book Magazine) and Pat Scales's "What Makes a Good Banned Book?" (from the September/October 2009 Horn Book Magazine).

Here are the most banned books of 2023 (plus links to how the Horn Book reviewed some of them):

1. Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
2. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
3. This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, sex education, claimed to be sexually explicit
4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content, rape, drugs, profanity
5. Flamer by Mike Curato Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
6. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison Reasons: Rape, incest, claimed to be sexually explicit, EDI content
7. (TIE) Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, profanity
8. (TIE) Tricks by Ellen Hopkins Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, drugs, rape, LGBTQIA+ content
9. Let's Talk About It: The Teen's Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, sex education, LGBTQIA+ content
10. Sold by Patricia McCormick Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, rape

Which banned books are you reading this week?