Banned Books Week
October 1 - October 7, 2023
An annual event celebrating the freedom to read!
Held during the first week of October, it spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools.
It brings together the entire book community in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.
Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, providing sexual education, and claims of being sexually explicit
Out of Darkness
By Ashley Hope Perez
Challenged for depictions of abuse and claims of it being sexually explicit
Lawn Boy
By Jonathan Evison
Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and for being sexually explicit
Flamer
By Mike Curate
Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and for being sexually explicit
Gender Queer
By Maia Kobabe
Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and claimed to be sexually explicit
More Banned Books
This classic was briefly banned in Ohio in 1972 for being "indecent" and for its offense language, especially toward women. The ban was lifted in 1976.
This coming of age story was banned in Alaska High Schools for themes of violence, bullying, racial identity, profanity, and sexually explicit situations.
Despite receiving literary awards, this book has been challenged for its themes of LGBTQIA+ sexuality, suicide, emotional abuse, and dysfunctional family life.
This classic was immediately banned after it was published for offensive language and bad grammar, racial stereotyping, and sexist portrayals of some characters.
This depression era classic has been challenged and banned for its themes of sensuality, depression and suicide, vulgar language, and for rejecting the societal “norms” of women.
Those facing censorship challenges can find support and inspiration in this book, which compiles dozens of stories from library front lines.
This book was banned for its themes of individualism and fighting back against injustice. Deemed “too radical”, it was burned by the Nazi party for its pro-socialist viewpoints.
Published in 1940, this book has been challenged and banned due to its graphic violence, sex, racism, profanity, abuse, and murder.
Candide was published in secret, and immediately banned due to its religious blasphemy and political sedition. US customs also seized this book in 1930 for its obscenity.
In the 1920’s this privately published book received criticism about its overly sexual & inappropriate content, as well as its “pornographic” language.
Banned the same year it was published (1856) by the French government for its overt sexuality. Gustave Flaubert was later put on trial over this book's themes.
East Germany banned this book in 1956 for its incompatibility with Communism. The Jungle was also scrutinized by the US in 1953 for its Communist sympathies.
Want to learn more about Banned & Challenged Books?
