This is a definitive novel about the horrors of the Holocaust easy to see why its on the list of banned books 2022. The novel is semi-autobiographical, based on the Native American author's life, and won a National Book Award in 2007. The best part of this is there are so many books in here that I love! Lord of the Flies by William Golding (U.S.)63. The Hate U Give (The Hate U Give, #1) Angie Thomas (Goodreads Author) In the 2021-2022 school year, it was removed from school libraries or classrooms 17 times. Jonathan Safran Foer's 2005 book, which was turned into a major film in 2012, is one of the most influential of the 21st century, but that hasn't stopped it from getting banned frequently from school libraries including in seven instances in the past school year alone. This book, a collection of interviews with transgender or gender-neutral young adults, was flagged for removal by a parent in Birdville who claimed that the book, which includes descriptions of sexual abuse of minors, encourages sexual activity among young children. Due to the fact that it portrays a same-sex crush, it was on ban lists 11 times in the 2021-2022 school year. A Black high school student who suffers a dangerous encounter with white police officers writes to the late Martin Luther King, Jr., asking him what he would do. This book, although it is very well loved, has been said to be unsuitable for young readers because of issues with racism and sexuality. Sulwe is darker than everyone in her family. This collection of poetry and short stories about violence, abuse, love, loss and femininity is one of dozens of library books that have been flagged for removal in Keller. The most banned book of the 2021-2022 school year was "Gender Queer: A Memoir" by Maia Kobabe. Many felt Annes description of her anatomy was pornographic.. Its no shock that its been criticized by religious conservatives since it was published in 2019, for exploring these topics: adolescent sexuality, asexuality, and the differences between gender identity and sexuality. The book was banned by some states for profanity and nudity. | Charlottes Web by E.B. The most banned books were primarily young adult or adult titles, but picture books for the youngest readers were not spared, with 317 titles banned. All Boys Two teenagers one White and transgender, the other a Black high-school student named Richard with a tragic past ride the same bus home each day. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. The Joke in the Arab World by Khaled Qashtin (Jordan)78. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Duncan, pictured here, was credited with helping to pioneer horror and suspense for teens. Drawing from those records, below is a list of 50 books that Texas parents tried to ban in 2021. The 2022 book ban list includes titles that have been restricted in previous years. It was seen to be indecent or obscene.. 2 men found drugged after leaving NYC gay bars were killed, medical examiner says, More U.S. schools see an uptick in book banning, Pittsburgh woman missing for 31 years found alive in Puerto Rico, House where JonBent Ramsey was found dead on sale for nearly $7 million, Americans of all political persuasions oppose book bans. A parent in McKinney asked the district to remove this coming-of-age novel because it includes descriptions of homosexuality, date rape and masturbation. And with the help of a kindly zookeeper, Roy and Silo got the chance to welcome a baby penguin of their very own. A Birdville mom wanted this book, a graphic novel featuring LGBTQ characters, removed from libraries because, she said, it "has a recurring theme of oral sex. McCormick is seen here holding one of her books. Due to its sexual content, the book found itself subject to seven book bans over the past school year. Here's Jazz Jennings taking on the role of Grand Marshal at the 2016 Pride March in New York City. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell (South Africa)98. ", A parent in the Spring Branch ISD said this graphic novel about a Jewish teen living in France after Nazis seized power should be banned because it's "biased" and could lead to the "skewing of a young child's mind.". Lady Chatterleys Lover by D. H. Lawrence (U.K.)100. Letters From Burma by Aung San Suu Kyi (Burma). With some titles restricted in multiple places, the total count of book bans is more than 2,500. All works by this author are banned in China. "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas, seen here in 2019 at the Massachusetts Conference for Women, was released in 2017, and deals with the aftereffects of a Black girl who attends a predominantly white, elite private school. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. I couldn't hide my excitement to be there and told my son before attending that this is like the Oscars for writers.1/6 @PENamerica, Copyright 2023 PEN America. Beyond Magenta by Susan Kuklin (U.S.)45. in cart. The story, inspired by real-life events, is about two boys who set out to break a world record by kissing for 32 hours straight. At the @PENamerica literary awards, she introduced herself to me as Molly, a translator of French novels. Two teen girls start to get interested in boys and learn more about the adults around them. Unfortunately, 2022 has seen more challenged or banned books than years past due to complaints of racism, sexually explicit content, offensive language, or sexual orientation themes. https://twitter.com/penamerica/status/1631470765240463360. Between July 2021 and June 2022, books were banned 2,532 times in public schools across the U.S., according to the nonprofit, which works to defend free expression. With an increasing urgency, lawmakers and parents across the country are demanding that school districts remove books from their libraries that they've deemed as inappropriate -- books that deal overwhelmingly with race, gender, and sexuality. About 22% of the books that were banned had sexual content. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. If you are in #DC, make sure you attend https://twitter.com/PENamerica/status/1631813179440242689, I was inspired & uplifted to attend the 2023 #PENlitAwards awards yesterday. Last year, dozens of Republican state lawmakers introduced bills that would ban content they deemed offensive in schools. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews (U.S.)42. A teenager develops a crystal meth addiction. Whether youre able to spend this Fathers Day with yours or not, we hope to help. "Jack of Hearts (And Other Parts)" is a book about a sexually active queer teen who starts a sex column at his school. Robie Harris' frank children's book about puberty and sex was first published in 1994. Last night, under the flashing neon lights of the Telegraph Club, Lily Hu met Kathleen Miller and sparks immediately flew. Morrison, a Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winner, seen here, died in 2019. While we know this book has topped the American Library Associations list of most challenged or censored books in America, it has also been banned in schools in the United Arab Emirates for being un-Islamic. Click here to buy Better Nate Than Ever and Five, Six, Seven, Nate! ", A Katy mom asked to ban this graphic novel about a Black seventh grader at a mostly white school. This 2007 photo shows a dress rehearsal of a stage version of "The Bluest Eye" in San Francisco. Picoult's 2007 novel "Nineteen Minutes" tells the unfolding tale of a school shooting. Its been banned repeatedly almost every year by school districts throughout the Mentions lgales The book uses graphic descriptions and offensive language. Khalil was unarmed., For Mike Muoz, life has been a whole lot of waiting for something to happen. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (U.S.)72. These themes caused the book to go through five bans over the course of the previous school year. This novel, about a young slave boy who becomes swept up in a struggle for his own liberation, is one of dozens of library books that have been flagged for removal in Keller. A Black teenage girl goes missing and her disappearance is never investigated. 26. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous (U.S.)67. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Bakerhis classmate and crushwho committed suicide two weeks earlier. The parent claimed the book encourages "admiring people with low morals and values, and hate of other people. PEN America countedschool book bansin the 2021-2022 school year and found an alarming 1,648 titles banned somewhere in the United States the most comprehensive count of book bans to date. She finds a unique solution in this story about love, acceptance, and family. The data doesn't consider duplicate bans per district in its unique title tally, but each separate ban is counted in the overall rankings. This is by no means a comprehensive list of banned or challenged books, especially considering that the total book challenges in 2022 exceeded the 2021 record, according to data obtained by the ALA. A parent asked administrators at the Spring Branch Independent School District in Houston to pull this graphic novel, which features gay and bisexual characters, because she claimed it might lead young students "to question their sexual orientation when they don't even comprehend what that means. 2021 U2PPP U4PPP - NBC News sent public records requests to nearly 100 school districts in the Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin regions a small sampling of the states 1,250 public school systems and found 86 formal requests to remove books from libraries last year, the vast majority coming during the final four months of the year. Her dreams come true, but it isnt the fantasy shes hoping for. In these challenging times, our schedules are out of whack and we are itching to explore. U4PPP Lieu dit "Rotstuden" 67320 WEYER Tl. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (U.S.)50. A magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes to the beauty of her darker skin. Based on some sexual content and mental-health issues, as well as the depiction of a pregnant teenager, there were 11 separate school bans of the graphic novel in the past school year. Last January, when the McMinn County School Board in Tennessee voted to remove the graphic novel Maus from its curriculum, the book shot up the Amazon bestsellers list to No. And Tango Makes Three has a spot on this list of banned books 2022 because its about two penguins who create a nontraditional family. Sebold haspublicly apologized for having mistakenly identified the wrong man as her attacker. Having just moved from Korea, Unhei decides to choose an American name from a glass jar, but nothing feels right. The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones (U.S.)56. A parent in Prosper said this novel, which tells the story of 9/11 and its aftermath from the dueling perspectives of an American boy and an Afghan girl, should be removed from schools because it "depicts American soldiers as callous, evil and terrorists" and because the author mentions the racial or ethnic identities of every character. This novel follows the lives of two migrants, but it was banned in several countries because it challenged the divine nature of the Quran. The book is no longer being distributed, and Sebold (seen here autographing a book) is rewriting the memoir. Tracing the story of a 17-year-old girl who's beginning to question her sexual orientation, this is one of dozens of library books that have been flagged for removal in Keller. First published on November 10, 2022 / 7:38 PM. At the penguin house at the Central Park Zoo, two penguins named Roy and Silo were a little bit different from the others. Due to what parents considered "sexually explicit" content, the book was yanked from classrooms and school libraries 11 times over the past school year. Through his use of cartoons, Art Spiegelman detailed the horrors of the Nazi invasion and Holocaust. Some states ban books that include themes about race by using the term "critical race theory" in their legislation. With some titles restricted in multiple places, the total count of book bans is more than 2,500. The image of the banned book list has been shared by American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and Star Wars actor Mark Hamill on Aug. 21 and 22. September 14, 2022. After zookeepers saw the pair trying to hatch a rock as if it were an egg, they gave the penguin couple their own egg. This classic novel by the Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison should be banned from schools, according to a parent in the Fort Worth suburb of Birdville, because it includes a graphic description of rape. The book, originally published in 1985, is now a successful television series. When Lula disappears in the middle of the night, Rory is left alone. The second in a series of young adult fantasy novels, this is one of dozens of library books that have been flagged for removal in Keller. The case was later tossed out. Why does happiness have to be so hard? It was first released in 2007, and has been controversial since then due to its subject matter, which deals with poverty, sexuality, bullying, alcohol usage, profanity and the use of slurs. Marmee, Meema, and the kids are just like other families, even if some people dont accept them. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Read More Banned in the USA Q&A: Ashley Hope Prez on how book bans are failing our children The book is a compilation of essays describing the author's experience growing up as a queer Black kid in New Jersey, and is written specifically for other queer Black kids. The effort to ban books with LGBTQ+ characters and themes is not new. Gender Queer is an autobiographical graphic novel, that explores coming out to the family as non-binary. "And Tango Makes Three," by Read more: Books on race and sexuality are disappearing from Texas schools in record numbers. Jinnah of Pakistan by Stanley Wolpert (Pakistan)82. The mayor of Venice banned this picture book about two little circles, one yellow, and one blue, because it undermines family values. Have any of these books on our list of banned books 2022 surprised you? It was subjected to 12 separate book bans in schools since 2021. Then Lula discovers that Rory has been having an affair with is middle-aged boss. Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami (U.S.)95. The library asked the Religious Education Department to review the book and eventually removed it from its shelves. The semi-autobiographical novel is about a boy facing hardship and learning to overcome it. This biography of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat won the Caldecott Medal in 2017. This photo shows Johnson at the Queerties Awards Celebration in March 2022. The author of this biographical book was sued by the singer himself over rights to his life history. This suspense novel, published in 1978, is about teenagers kidnapping and murdering their strict teacher. She claimed that, because it includes references to microaggressions, the book is "about critical race theory, which is forbidden by Texas law. Records requests uncovered dozens of attempts to remove library books from schools, nearly all related to titles dealing with racism, gender or sexuality. And what begins as a wild, ecstatic ride turns into a struggle through hell for her mind, her soulher life.. One Day of Life by Manlio Argueta (El Salvador)32. Into the River by Ted Dawe (New Zealand)80. Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Prez (U.S.)39. This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman (U.S.)62. 1. PEN American says 1,648 unique book titles were banned in that period. There are several reasons why books may be banned from schools and libraries. This illustrated memoir, which recounts the authors coming of age as a lesbian, is unsuitable for schools, according to a parent in Birdville, because it includes graphic descriptions of sexual violence. Others are lighthearted fiction about animals or babies. Beartown by Fredrik Backman (U.S.)94. The story is about two boys growing up in Afghanistan against the backdrop of the Soviet invasion, the exodus of refugees to Pakistan, and the rise of the Taliban. Ralisation Bexter. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The story of the 1963 March on Washington where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his historic I Have a Dream speech. Its been banned and burned. A mom in Birdville asked school leaders to remove this book an illustrated guide to puberty, sex and sexual health after her child checked it out, writing that it wasn't appropriate for middle schoolers. Required fields are marked *. Click here to buy Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts). Since its publication in 2003Kite Runner has become a beloved, one-of-a-kind classic of contemporary literature, touching millions of readers, and launching the career of one of Americas most treasured writers., Through their instant messages, three inseparable friends have shared the ups and downs of high school. These books have been challenged across the world for obscenity, sexual overtones, religious reasons, and more. (Most of the formal library challenges submitted to the Keller Independent School District were filled out on behalf of parents by a school administrator and don't specify why the parents sought to have the books removed.). Gay. Queer. She did not tell me she was Molly Ringwald. Radio Show in 2009. Many other countries have banned this text too. A Farewell To Arms by Ernest Hemingway96. The Lambda Literary Award-winning trilogy follows Nate from his small-town to New York City. I Am Jazz by Jazz Jennings and Jessica Herthel (U.S.)90. This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson (2021) Banned for: providing sexual education and LGBTQIA+ content. Lesbian. (U.S.)49. PEN America has also identified at least 50 groups, many of which have local or regional chapters, that they say have played a role in at least 50% of the book bans enacted across the country during the 20212022 school year. A parent asked the Eanes Independent School District in Austin to remove this picture book about racial justice, arguing that no books that promote the Black Lives Matter movement should be available to children. 1. Some parents have taken it a step further, filling out paperwork to formally challenge the appropriateness of library books and forcing school administrators to review them. How To Be An Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi (U.S.)89. To Faith's surprise, Amanda, a popular eighth-grader, convinces her to join the school soccer team, the Bloodhounds. Some people have criticized the book's discussions of LGBTQ content, but it won a Lambda Literary Award in 2021 while also being banned by schools on 10 different occasions. One of the most banned books in the US history is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, which is closely followed by The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Adichie (Nigeria)81. Since that report was published in April, 275 more book bans were recorded between April and June 2022. This graphic novel tells the story of a girls' soccer team. A Leander parent suggested replacing children's books that mention gender identity or sexuality, including this one, with "classics," such as "White Fang," "The Indian in the Cupboard,""The Swiss Family Robinson" and Shakespeare. Rseau Just like To Kill a Mockingbird, parents challenged this book to be taken from shelves and recommended reading lists in Saint John (NB) School District 20, Canada.